All Over Again - Emma Heatherington (2011)

Natalie McKenna has lived in Castle Bay all her life, working in her father's cafe. At 35, she has waited a long time to find her Mr Right and she finally believes she has - the handsome and reliable Dougie. However, Dougie comes with the baggage of a deceased wife, two unruly 12-year-old kids and a vasectomy that means he can't give Natalie the one thing she wants the most - a baby of her own. Can she settle for being a stepmother to his children and live in the shadow of his late wife? Michelle Jordan has returned to Castle Bay after the break-up of her marriage to wealthy Caleb, and she and Natalie instantly rekindle their childhood friendship. Michelle had her first child at 17, and when the father, Patrick, abandoned her and fled to America, she raised Shannon alone until she met Caleb. Now Patrick is back living in Ireland with his new fiancee, and wants to reunite with his daughter. Michelle is desperate to support her daughter's decision to have her estranged father in her life, but fears that it may reopen old wounds for her and tear her world apart. This is a wonderful story, with loveable main characters and a funny, well-thought-out storyline. The friendship between Natalie and Michelle is inspiring, as the women support each other through the toughest times of their lives. Some of the minor characters like Oscar and Miss Ada are fantastic and add humour to the story, and while some of the twists in the plot were a little predictable, overall this was a very enjoyable read. (LO)

Emma Heatherington's latest novel All Over Again focuses on two childhood friends and their new beginnings and second chances. The summary says: "Thirty-something Natalie McKenna has never been like the other girls. A late developer, she was always the one who men made fun of rather than made out with! But now she has Dougie - a handsome widower who can give her everything she needs - love, marriage and a ready-made family. Everything that is, except the one things she wants more than life itself - her own baby. Is her love for Dougie strong enough to stop her biological clock from ticking and accept his ready-made family in the shadow of his late wife Susan, or will the urge to have a child of her own urge her to start out in love all over again? Natalie's childhood friend Michelle Jordan had her first baby at only 17 years old. Abandoned by her first love Patrick, she married wealthy architect Caleb on the rebound and now finds herself in the holiday resort of Castle Bay on Ireland's North coast with her two children and a heart full of longing and regret having left Caleb to face a new beginning. When Patrick returns home from America wanting to get to know his teenage daughter, Michelle's wounds are torn apart again as she faces up to the man who broke her heart."

Back to Home