***Review*** A Place For Us by Harriet Evans

A Place For Us by Harriet Evans

Released: January 2015
Publisher: Headline
Format: Digital ARC 1st part - Then switched to audiobook for the rest
Source: 1st part Netgalley - The rest library lend
Find At: Goodreads | Amazon | Waterstones

Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review


Synopsis:

From international bestselling author Harriet Evans, an engrossing new novel about a woman who, on the eve of her eightieth birthday, decides to reveal a secret that may destroy her perfect family.
The day Martha Winter decided to tear apart her family began like any other day.

When Martha, a wife and mother of three, sits down one late summer’s morning to write out the invitations to her eightieth birthday celebration, she knows that what she is planning to reveal at the party could ruin the idyllic life she and her husband David have spent over fifty years building…

But she has to let her family know what she and David have sacrificed. She can’t live a lie any more.

The invitation goes out far and wide, calling her three children and their families back home to Winterfold, their rambling house in the heart of the English countryside. They are Bill, the doctor; Florence, the eccentric academic; and Daisy, the child who never fit in. As the story unfolds, each character reveals the secrets, joys, and tragedies they are wrestling with through the confines of the family. What will happen when Martha finally tells the truth?

My Review:

This book can be purchased in four sections or as one book.  My original review copy was the first section, I then decided to review the book in it's entirety and this was in audio book format.

The book is filled with some really wonderful and complex characters.  The story jumps from character to character and in each chapter you start to get more of an in depth look into them.  The family history is very complex and you really need to not miss any crucial details.  I loved how as the story unfolds certain parts start to make more sense.  As there are a few characters it does take a few chapters to settle in.  One thing that does shine is the wonderful details of the surrounds, whether it was Winterfold - which sounded wonderful in itself, or Italy or the war torn parts of London.  The rich intensity do detail only enhanced things for me.

There is one character that really stands out in this book, this is Daisy.  She is so crucial to this story and it is amazing how she influences and changes lives of people.  Just her essence is enough to tip things.  I was really interested to learn more about her.

I think if you were looking at this family from afar you would think they had everything, but there is an undercurrent whereby if you scratched the surface off, would reveal a very different matter. 

I whole heartily enjoyed this.  I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.

 Overall: Thoroughly enjoyed this, secrets and family drama galore