Lucy’s life has hit a brick wall – in her early thirties, the former TV presenter has moved back to Rockhampton to live with her Cher-loving mother and retired father. With a nearly depleted bank balance, she’s looking for a job to tie her over while she pens a novel. But the good news is she’s got her kooky best friend, Rosie, to hang out with, and the new next-door-neighbour has a rather charming son called Oscar.
Lucy is a relatable and entertaining character who’s at a crossroads in her life and unsure which direction to take. The story, like Lucy, works best when it’s in Rocky – the laidback lifestyle of this regional Australian town really comes to life. At other times, it did lose its way a bit but overall this is a fun and enjoyable debut.
Girl In Between, the debut novel by Australian TV and radio presenter Anna Daniels, is about life at the crossroads. The summary says: "Lucy Crighton has just moved in with some gregarious housemates called Brian and Denise ... who are her parents. She's also the proud mother of Glenda, her beloved 10-year-old ... kelpie. And she has absolutely no interest in the dashing son of her parents' new next-door neighbour - well, maybe just a little ...
As the girl in between relationships, careers and cities, Lucy is facing some awkward truths - like her mum's obsession with Cher, her father's unsolicited advice, and the probability there's more cash on the floor of her parents' car than in her own bank account.
Thank goodness for Lucy's crazy-but-wonderful best friend, Rosie, who's around to cushion reality with wild nights at the local Whipcrack Hotel, escapades in Japanese mud baths, and double dating under the Christmas lights in London.
But will Lucy work out what she really wants to do in life - and who she wants to share it with." Girl In Between is out in May 2017.