NEW RELEASE
The Story of Us - Dani Atkins (2014)
Emma Marshall's hen night was supposed to be a great night out with her two best friends, Amy and Caroline. Instead it turns into tragedy. When all seems lost, a stranger, Jack Monroe, comes to Emma's aid, saving her life, and the bond between them is immediately apparent. But is it just a natural reaction to him saving her? Anyway it's something she can't dwell on as her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Richard, is only a couple of weeks away. But as the tragedy of Emma's hen night plays out, Emma learns a disturbing secret that will rock the core of her closest relationships. After Atkins' debut novel, Fractured/Then and Always (US), one of my favourites of 2013, I've been looking forward to this second book. In the first few pages, it seemed like the book may be quite similar to Atkins' previous, yet brilliant, first novel, but soon thereafter she sets readers on an amazing new path. It has to be said that Atkins excels at creating interesting, intricate and refreshing plots, with a generous helping of emotion to boot. The thing I loved most about this novel was that the author genuinely keeps the conclusion up in the air - does Emma choose Richard or Jack? Does she get her happy ending? - and more astonishingly the choice is neither clear-cut nor easy for Emma or the readers alike. Yes, whilst Jack emerges as the alpha hero, Atkins does a remarkable job not only of making Richard seem likeable in spite of what he's done to Emma but also a valid choice. It would have been easy for Atkins to write Richard off immediately but she somewhat offsets his failings with examples of his positive qualities, making Emma's choice much more difficult. Throughout the novel, Atkins also includes glimpses from the present day, which add to the suspense and intrigue and offers a final twist when the truth of these snapshots is revealed. A quick nod also to the tongue-in-cheek comments about being a character in a book etc. Atkins is fast becoming one of my favourite writers, one I can rely on for a great story and a worthwhile read. (JC)
A woman falls in love with the shadowy stranger who saved her life in Dani Atkins' The Story of Us. The summary says: "Emma Marshall is preparing for one of the most important days of her life. Her gorgeous dress hangs in the wardrobe, and the air in her bedroom is filled with the scent of flowers. But who is she waiting for? Emma Marshall can't wait to marry her childhood sweetheart, Richard. But then a terrible car accident turns everything upside down, and introduces a stranger, Jack, into her life. Enigmatic, creative and gorgeous, Jack is like no one Emma has met before. But Richard is the man she loves. Two different men. Two different destinies. But who will happily end Emma's story? "