If you go away - Adele Parks

1914. Vivian, a young, impassioned debutante is hurried into a pedestrian marriage to cover a scandal. War breaks out on her wedding day -- domestically and across Europe. Quick to escape the disappointment of matrimony, her traditionalist husband immediately enlists and Vivian has no alternative than to take up the management and running of his estate -- after all, everyone is required to do their bit. Even pretty, inadequately-educated young wives.

Howard, a brilliant young playwright rushes to the front to see for himself the best and the worst of humanity; he cannot imagine what the horror might be. In March 1916, when conscription becomes law, it is no longer enough for him to report on the War, it's a legal requirement that he joins the ranks. Howard refuses, becoming one of the most notorious conscientious objectors of the time. Disarmingly handsome, famous, articulate and informed, he's a threat to the government. Narrowly escaping a death sentence by agreeing to take essential work on Vivian's farm, it's only then Howard understands what is worth fighting for. 

My thoughts:

Vivian is loving the season, she has a great man on the hook, but things change and she marries Aubrey....who is really dull. But then she was just a pretty face anyway.

Marriage. World War 1, and her being sent to live alone in the country. This is where the book started to remind me of another book *checks old review* Ok not that similar, just the bad marriage, alone and was going on part, and the new guy *ahem*.

Vivian really grows as a person. She learns that there is more than pretty dresses and dances. You have to work hard, war takes a lot, and she forms opinions of her own.

And Aubrey was a bore.

Then there is Howard, he and Vivian has alternate chapters, I did find his chapters boring until they met. He was just boring. He goes to report on the war. He sees that it's hell. He decides not to join, and he is sent to prison to get executed cos that is what they do with cowards. But he was no coward, he just found it stupid that hundreds of thousands are sent to be cannon fodder.

Anyone who reads the blurb gets that they will meet and something will happen.....

Conclusion:
It was a good book, sure some Howard chapters were a bit meh, but read them fast and get to the good bits.

Cover
meh

Hardcover, 496 pages
Published June 4th 2015 by Headline Review
Historical fiction
Library

Review: Tell me something - Adele Parks

Tell me something by Adele Parks

Genre: Contemporary romance/chick-lit
Pages: 480
Published: 2009

Elizabeth has wanted two things her entire life to keep her happy and fulfilled – an Italian husband and lots of rosy-cheeked bambini. The first is ticked off, now she’s bagged dark and sexy Roberto, the second is proving harder to achieve.

But when Roberto loses his job and decides to leave London for romantic Italy and the family business, Elizabeth hopes the change in lifestyle might help her relax and boost her chances of conceiving their longed for child. Except, no matter how much ice cream she eats in the sun drenched piazza, it’s impossible to relax when her wily mother-in-law (the original black widow) seems hell bent on destroying her marriage. The language barrier is proving tricky too, as is Roberto’s beautiful, significant ex who practically lives next door.

Is Elizabeth’s ferocious hunger for a baby enough to hold a marriage together or is it ripping it apart? And why is she suddenly craving the company of a gorgeous, blonde American stranger? Her filthy, flirty thoughts about him are totally inappropriate.

I really should write a review at once, I only read this last weekend, and things are already slipping. But hey it's the weekend so this can be a short review.

Elizabeth is obsessed with a big O. All she thinks about is babies, babies and babies, and babies with her wonderful Italian Husband. Because that is her other obsession, Italians. She loves the country and has only dated Italians all her life. How she managed that I do not know. Anyway 6 years into the marriage and no babies, and every time she gets her period her world breaks down. She wants them, and needs them. But it seems her fluids kills his juices, or something like that. It's a killing field and what can a girl do who wants that bambini? Perhaps it's a sign that Roberto gets fired and they move. Italy, her  other big obsession can surely cure the fact that their stuff is toxic to each other.

Happily ever after? Haha, NO! Omg, in comes mother in law from hell. I cringed every time she said something. She hates Elizabeth and she does everything she can to destroy the marriage. She pretends now to understand what Elizabeth is saying, keeps offering her only meat to eat when she is a vegetarian, makes her look bad in front of Roberto so he complains. Their marriage slowly breaks apart.

This was a good book, but that mother in law, yes I will say it, a bitch. It hurt to read it sometimes cos she was just on her case constantly. And I mean even if Elizabeth sure made mistakes, and yes maybe she should have been less baby obsessed, it was still such a poisonous environment. I longed for her to just go, go away and leave that place. But what to do when you live in the same house as your mother in law, who also keeps her clothes in your closet, while you have just your bags.

There was laughs, and there was heartache in this book. And then there was friendship, light, and romance. Things always works out for the best even if the road there is rocky.

Blodeuedd's Cover Thoughts: Her legs creep me out, and you should see the backcover. They are too skinny, too airbrushed, she has no thighs. Yak.

Reason for reading: Library book

Final thoughts: A funny, romantic book for the summer