GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: After the Party by Lisa Jewell

August 17, 2011 By Mary

Description

Eleven years ago, Jem Catterick and Ralph McLeary fell deeply in love. They thought it would be forever, that they’d found their happy ending. As everyone agreed, they were the perfect couple. Then two became four, and an apartment became a house. Romantic nights out became sleepless nights in. And they soon found that life wasn’t quite so simple anymore. But through it all, Jem and Ralph still loved each other. Of course they did.
Now Jem is back at work part-time as a talent agent. Ralph, a successful painter, is struggling to come up with new, hopefully groundbreaking, work for his upcoming show. But the unimaginable has happened. Two people who were so right together are starting to drift apart And in the chaos of family life, Jem feels like she’s losing herself, while Ralph, stuck on the sidelines, feels like he’s lost his muse altogether. Something has to change. As they try to find a way back to each other, back to what they once had, they both become momentarily distracted—but maybe it’s not too late to recapture happily ever after…

About the Author

Lisa Jewell is the international bestselling author of nine novels, including Ralph’s Party, Thirtynothing, and One-Hit Wonder. She was born and raised in north London, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Visit her website at www.lisa-jewell.co.uk.

Details

Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Atria Books; Original edition (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1451609108
ISBN-13: 978-1451609103

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Lisa Jewell’s latest book, After the Party picks up about 10 years after Ralph’s Party ended. You don’t necessarily have to read that one first, but it helps set the stage. Jem and Ralph now have a boy and a girl after several miscarriages and they should be happy, but both of them find the spark is gone and something is not quite right in their relationship. Jem never did get a proper wedding since Ralph never believed in a big production to define their relationship which is a sore point for Jem. The story is told be each character with their own insecurities shining through and coloring each chapter. So one day, Ralph decides he need to go capture his artistic spirit, leaves his family and runs away to Los Angeles to visit Smith, his and Jem’s old flatmate. Jem is left in turmoil, questions her very existence and has her own mini mid life crisis. Ralph has a spiritual awakening while Jem finds strength. They both meet a member of the opposite sex that either help or hinder the situation. The main questions is: will they work it out without these outside forces?

I talk to my books when I read. I yell at the characters, I cry with them, I laugh with them. You don’t want to be around me when I read since when I like a book, I have noisy conversations with them. I had several yelling sessions while reading After the Party, telling Ralph and Jem to just grow up and behave since they are now parents. Every time the couple was just about to be on the same page, there would be a misunderstanding and causes them both to soar out of control. I kept thinking “this is so real – I know couples who have had these same issues”. This is just a wonderfully written story full of emotions that is perfect for this time of year! If you enjoy Madeleine Wickham, Harriet Evans or Hester Browne, you are going to adore this author as well.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable US mailing address (no PO Boxes, sorry)

Contest ends on 9.2.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 9.3.11

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email (from BookHounds@hotmail.com) or a new winner will be chosen.

This giveaway is sponsored by Atria books and ONE copy is available.

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