Under a Starry Sky

Under a Starry Sky is a cute, enjoyable book. It is a story of family, friendship and forgiveness. I really liked all of the characters and liked reading all of their stories. Claire Morgans narration fit perfectly with the story and characters. Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio UK for this audiobook in exchange of an honest review.

Another dose of joyful loveliness from Laura Kemp – this latest novel didn\’t disappoint. As always, Ms Kemp has conjured up some wonderful characters. My favourites were Annie and Spike. Annie, in particular, pulled at my heart strings in the way she found an inner strength and self-worth she hadn\’t realised she could ever achieve. As in her other novels, the heroes of the story are completely lush. Four and a half stars from me for this one, my only reservation being that I couldn\’t completely take to the main character of Wanda. Now I want to go camping…

If I had to use one word for a review of Under a Starry Sky it would be Brilliant! The story of three schoolfriends living in a small Welsh village and how their lives are blown apart by a devastating fire which has repercussions for all three of them is told with insight and humour. We are told of the tragedy in the first chapter then Wanda, Lew and Annie\’s lives are revisited 15 years on from this event. We discover how they have coped (or not) and how they are thrown together by circumstance and have to work hard to put the trauma behind them. Wanda has to come to terms with the family business – a campsite near a beautiful lake and nestling at the bottom of a \’disputed\’ mountain – falling into financial trouble while putting on hold her ambition to travel and see the world. An ambition she has held close to her heart from a teenager – but life keeps getting in the way. Lew returns to Gobaith after his 15 year absence with questions hanging over his head as to what he has done with his life and how has he returned after all this time?. Does he have a guilty secret? So many questions so many unanswered. And Annie is fighting back from a brutal marriage, but her self esteem is so low she can\’t see her way to a new life until her pending divorce brings her back to the scene of the tragedy and facing up to some home truths. This mythical village is full of great Welsh characters and having read about the campsite it makes you want to pack up your tent and go out into the wilderness. The author creates believable, warm hearted characters you are urging on to find a solution to their problems until they realise the answers were under their noses all this time. Their story will make you laugh, it will make you cry but you won\’t be able to put this book down. So do yourself a favour and read Under A Starry Sky. I\’ll guarantee you will then be searching for Laura\’s other books to put in your personal library.

This is such a lush, warm cwtch of a book – Laura has worked her magic once more with Under a Starry Sky! Youd swear that main characters Wanda and Annie were actually your best mates by the end, and that the locals in Gobaith are people you say hiya to when you pass them in the street. They have their ups and downs – both together and in their own personal journeys – and youre rooting for them every step of the way. Laura Kemp has really captured this close-knit community with all its quirks and beauty. It doesnt shy away from serious issues but treats them with such a sensitive touch. And the writing! Theres nothing like reading a book by an author whos so talented you just lose yourself in the sentences and really feel like youre in those pages. This was a perfect read for these difficult old times and fills your heart with happiness – and a longing for camping (weirdly)! It will put a big smile on your face and youll devour it in days. Suffice to say – I loved it!

I had high expectations of this book and thought it would be a treat for the summer weather and holiday time. I just found it a little boring and actually found myself speed reading through some of the predicatable parts and there seemed to be quite a few of those. Sadly not for me.

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