Book Review The Way We Were By Sinead Moriarty

The Way We Were by Sinead Moriarty

Synopsis

'He needed something else. He wanted more.' Alice and Ben are a couple like any other bound together by love, work, children, familiarity and a shared sense of purpose.

But when Ben decides to pursue a dream of his own, he brings devastation on his family and, as far as they know, their lives will never be the same again.

Alice and Ben are now on different paths: she needs to put their shared life behind her; he needs to remember it to survive.

So, what happens if they get a second chance? Can they - should they - go back to the way they were? "Smart family drama that packs a punch." (Heat on The Secrets Sisters Keep). "Fans of Sinead know they can expect honesty, humor and great story-telling." (Hello).

My Musings

A tantalizing plot that observes the repercussions on a family when a much loved husband and father literally comes back from the dead after two years. Can you just go back to how it was when all the family's lives have moved on? This fascinating premise is told from four points of view, Alice, the wife, Ben the husband and their two daughters.

Sinead handles the complex plot deftly whilst wracking up the emotional onslaught as they all struggle to survive after Ben's disappearance (presumed dead) and then struggle again to come to terms with his reappearance. They have all moved on in various ways so it is a fascinating conundrum on how to put someone back in your life they thought had gone for good. My heart was in my mouth when Alice gets the call Ben is alive just as she is about to get engaged to her knight in shining armor!!

Sinead has clearly researched similar cases and scenarios and you are taken on a nail biting and emotional journey with the family as they valiantly try to do the right thing while remaining true to themselves. Cracks start to appear and secrets and home truths are revealed. This has real pathos, twists and turns and the end is especially romantic.

An enthralling romance with so may hidden depths you become completely lost in it. 

**This book was kindly sent to me by Penguin. The review in unbiased. **

• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 448 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Publication Date: 30/07/2015
• ISBN: 9781844883493