I am here for pre-party drinks to tell you about the new Sophie Kinsella. Receiving this early and getting the sneak peek was so exciting. I actually gasped when I opened the book mail having been a fan of Sophie for such a long time.
Detangling the plot:
It's been over two years since Effie's beloved parents got divorced, destroying the image of the happy, loving childhood she thought she had. Since then, she's become estranged from her father and embarked on a feud with his hot (and much younger) girlfriend, Krista. And now, more earth-shattering news: Greenoaks, the rambling Victorian country house Effie called home her whole life, has been sold.
When Krista decides to throw a grand "house cooling" party, Effie is originally left off the guest list--and then receives a last-minute "anti-invitation" (maybe it's because she called Krista a gold-digger, but Krista totally deserved it, and it was mostly a joke anyway). Effie declines, but then remembers a beloved childhood treasure is still hidden in the house. Her only chance to retrieve it is to break into Greenoaks while everyone is busy celebrating. As Effie sneaks around the house, hiding under tables and peeping through trapdoors, she realizes the secrets Greenoaks holds aren't just in the dusty passageways and hidden attics she grew up exploring. Watching how her sister, brother, and dad behave when they think no one is looking, Effie overhears conversations, makes discoveries, and begins to see her family in a new light. Then she runs into Joe--the love of her life, who long ago broke her heart, and who's still as handsome and funny as ever--and even more truths emerge.
But will Effie act on these revelations? Will she stay hidden or step out into the party and take her place with her family? And truthfully, what did she really come back to Greenoaks for? Over the course of one blowout party, Effie realizes that she must be honest with herself and confront her past before she'll ever be able to face her future.
Bobs and Books honest review:
This actually starts quite calmly with a happy home and a wonderfully cringy scene involving a neighbours dodgy parcel. Chaos then ensues but so does some really heartfelt moments and lots of unravelling.
A lot of light and escapism. Some wonderfully funny and cheesy moments. I love the sibling dynamic between Effie, Bean and Gus and as secrets are revealed it makes for great reading. Effie has lots going on and is clearly bothered by the break up even though she's putting on a brave face. I also loved to hate Krista and the final showdown felt pantomime-esque in my head as I booed and wooed in all the right places.
Definitely one to add to the amazing Kinsella hall of fame.
A fun, frantic and fabulous read.
Out tomorrow