I received this book from Author for review consideration.
My Very Best Friend by Cathy Lamb Published by Kensington Books on July 28th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Family & Relationships, Fiction, Friendship
Pages: 480
Format: ARC
Source: Author
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From a childhood friendship sustained over years and distance, to a journey of discovery, Cathy Lamb’s poignant novel tells of two women whose paths converge with unforeseen results—and reveals the gift of connection, and the challenges that can change everything for the better…
Charlotte Mackintosh is an internationally known bestselling romance writer who has no romance, and remains a mystery to her fans. In fact, she has little in her life besides her work, her pampered cats, and her secluded home off the coast of Washington. And then there is her very best friend, Bridget, who lives in Scotland, where Charlotte lived until she was fifteen. Bridget, whom Charlotte hasn’t seen in twenty years, but continues to write to—though the replies have stopped. Hurt by the silence, an opportunity arises to find answers—and maybe much more.
Charlotte must finally return to Scotland to sell her late father’s cottage. It was his tragic death when Charlotte was fifteen that began her growing isolation, and the task is fraught with memories. But her plans are slowed when she’s confronted with the beautiful but neglected house, the irresistible garden—and Toran, Bridget’s brother. Capable and kind, Toran has the answers Charlotte seeks. And as she is drawn deeper into the community she thought she’d left behind, Charlotte learns not only more about her dear friend, but about herself—and discovers a new and unexpected path.
When I received an email a few weeks ago with the subject “Kilts, a Scottish man, and lingerie bike riding at night.” I was definitely intrigued. (I will add that Outlook found the email inappropriate and sent it straight to the junk box!)
Even better was that the email was from Cathy Lamb asking if I’d review her latest, My Very Best Friend. She even admitted to eating too much chocolate, drinking too much coffee, and daydreaming the day away.
Seriously, she and I could be the same person! Except I haven’t published 10 books, and I’m not nearly as funny as she is! Read Cathy’s guest post from a couple of weeks ago for a peek at how funny she is.
Anyway, Cathy sums up My Very Best Friend perfectly:
An old stone cottage in Scotland.
An overgrown garden.
A man in a kilt.
Lingerie bike riding at midnight.
Tea and crumpets.
Two best friends.
One is missing.
What was there not to love?
Story-wise…I loved every single aspect of the story. From the long distance best friend thing (I can totally relate!), to the stories of childhood adventures shared between Toran, Charlotte, Pherson and Bridget. Charlotte’s struggles with her head and her heart. All that led Bridget to go missing. The Scottish Heritage. The Ladie’s Gabs, Gardens and Gobbles Club (you have to read just to find out what this group of women get up to, their shenanigans are hilarious).
But, and it really is only a small but, and not everyone will feel this way, it took me way too long to read the first half of the book. I wanted to read but have this quirk where I can’t (and I mean REALLY CAN NOT) put a book down mid-chapter. So what’s the problem, I hear you say. The chapters in My Very Best Friend were looooooonggggggg. Most at about 30 pages, which when it takes me 20 minutes or so to read that many pages, I felt like I couldn’t pick up the book for a short time here and there without taking the chance that I may be forced to stop mid-chapter. So I was only reading a chapter at a time.
Like I said, a small but!
The second half I read in a day, I was out sick from work, I couldn’t get comfy to nap so I curled up and read My Very Best Friend, and I couldn’t put the book down. Cathy’s writing had me wanting to visit St. Andrew’s (this is the town she based the fictional St. Ambrose on), because if you can believe it, even though I lived in England for 20 years of my live (and Northern England at that) I never got as far as Scotland!
Those garden descriptions…I want a garden like that! Charlotte’s cottage…I want a cottage like that! Gitanjal’s Spice Shop…I was soooo craving Indian food the whole way through. Not “Eating Indians” or “Cooking Indians” (you have to read the book!)
I was truly immersed into Scottish life while reading. With so many laughs along the way, so many happy moments that made me go, “awwwww” and then sad parts too. My Very Best Friend took me through all of the emotions!
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