As the New Year draws in, Ottila McGregor makes a decision to sort out her life once and for all. This means giving up alcohol, ending her relationship with her married boss and finding happiness. Can she stick to her resolutions especially when the going gets tough? And when her sister suffers another mental health setback and Ottila’s love life hits a snag, will she find herself falling back into her old ways?
Comprised of all sorts of communiques, including letters, emails, transcripts and self-help mottos, Mackintosh’s novel takes on the form of a scrapbook and the effect is contemporary and engaging. It makes for a really vibrant and dynamic read and coupled with the narrator’s frank and quirky voice, this is a highly refreshing book. The story combines both light and dark and the tone is managed perfectly for a poignant but entertaining read and everything about the novel oozes originality. I loved this debut and am desperately hoping that we get a follow-up in the same vein. (JC)
