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I am thrilled to be launching the tour for Love, Hope, the latest novel by Juliet Conlin. I’ll start by introducing you to the author, then I will add the synopsis – you will find my review somewhere further down.

 

The author

Juliet Conlin was born in London and grew up in England and Germany. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Durham. She works as a writer and translator and lives with her husband and four children in Berlin. She writes in both English and German. Her novels include ‘The Fractured Man’ (Cargo, 2013), ‘The Uncommon Life of Alfred Warner in Six Days’ (Black & White Publishing, 2017), ‘The Lives Before Us’ (Black & White, 2019), and ‘Sisters of Berlin (Black & White, 2020). Subscribe to Juliet’s newsletter, NOTES FROM BERLIN

The book

An unexpected letter. An unlikely friendship. A chance to start again.

Ever since she first picked up a violin, Hope Sullivan dreamed of going to music college, joining an orchestra and travelling the world with her best friend Janey. But when her parents were killed in a car accident on the way to one of her recitals, she gave it all up to look after her younger sister, Autumn. Ten years later, Janey is living their dream on her own, Autumn is flourishing as a doctor and Hope’s life is smaller and less musical than ever.

Arnold Quince had the happiest of lives – until he lost his beloved wife Marion. Once the life and soul of the village, he withdrew into his grief and pushed all his friends away. Now, five years on, he is sick, lonely and just counting down the years until he can be with Marion again.

When Hope and Arnold are pushed into writing to one another, neither has any idea how much their life is about to change.

My review

I absolutely adored this book, no exaggeration. I am a massive fan of books that tell a story in an unorthodox way – Love, Hope is narrated via messages,from hurried notes exchanged in a classroom, to emails, text messages, crazy Facebook status updates from Nan in Australia and then, full circle, old fashioned pen and paper missives between Hope and Arnold.

This is one of my favourite forms of story telling as it is a window into what the characters are thinking and feeling, rather than a description of what they are doing. It’s almost a behind the scenes tale and I loved it.

I haven’t read any of Juliet’s previous novels, but I will be sure to get them on my wishlist. Her writing is really moving and evocative – it’s gentle and tender but still capable of delivering the occasional body blow.

Love, Hope is a story of … well … love and hope, of family and enduring friendship.  Easily one of teh best books I have read this year and probably in my all time top ten.  Highly recommended – 5/5.

My thanks to the author, the publishers (Hodder books) and Love books Tours for my gifted copy and the opportunity to take part in the tour.

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