Thursday, January 19, 2023

Review & Giveaway - - The Love of My Life

I first reviewed The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh when it was released last March in hardcover. It was one of those books that reeled me in and refused to let go, keeping me eagerly flipping pages through a multitude of twists and turns until I finally finished it late into the wee hours of the night. The book has now been published in paperback so it seemed a good time to revisit my original review as well as offer a print giveaway, courtesy of the publisher. More on that at the end of the post.


The Love of My Life: A Novel
by Rosie Walsh
Publisher: Penguin Books
Paperback Release Date: January 17, 2023
Hardcover Release Date: March 1, 2022
Reviewed by PJ



 
 
Emma loves her husband Leo and their young daughter Ruby: she’d do anything for them. But almost everything she's told them about herself is a lie.
    And she might just have got away with it, if it weren’t for her husband’s job. Leo is an obituary writer; Emma a well-known marine biologist. When she suffers a serious illness, Leo copes by doing what he knows best – researching and writing about his wife’s life. But as he starts to unravel the truth, he discovers the woman he loves doesn’t really exist. Even her name isn’t real.
    When the very darkest moments of Emma’s past finally emerge, she must somehow prove to Leo that she really is the woman he always thought she was . . .
    But first, she must tell him about the other love of her life.

PJ's Thoughts:

I started reading this book in bed last night. It was a bit slow at first and I figured I'd try to get in a couple chapters before going to sleep. It wasn't long before the author began dropping little bits here and there that snagged my interest. Then a few more bits that gradually drew me deeper into the lives of these characters. Then the first twist that had me thinking, "Whoa! What's going on here?" By that time the first few chapters were in my rearview and I was hooked. There was no way I was going to be putting this book down until I hit the final word. It was a late night. ;-)

The Love of My Life is compelling, poignant, twisty, mysterious, suspenseful, emotional, gripping, and heartachingly real. Brilliantly plotted, with fully-developed characters who tugged at my heart, it's an intricately-woven story that kept me on my toes. Each time I thought I had figured out what was going on, there was another unexpected twist that had me gasping with surprise. It's an immersive experience that pushed my buttons in all the best ways and it never stopped surprising me, right up until the final page. When I say I couldn't put it down, I mean it. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. 

The Love of My Life is Rosie Walsh's second published novel. I haven't read her first, Ghosted, yet but you can be sure I'll be giving it a go...along with every book she writes in the future. This is an author to watch.


Have you read Rosie Walsh yet?

What's the last book that kept you reading late into the night?

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, January 21 will receive a paperback copy of The Love of My Life.

U.S. only
Must be 18
Void where prohibited



13 comments:

  1. I have not read this author. And I really have not read long into the night. If I have 20 pgs or so left and it is time for bed, I will stay up to finish it. I love twists, so that grabbed me. Fingers are crossed; thanks for the chance.

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  2. I've not read her as yet but it does sound good. I just finished Mad Honey which was fascinating and I also just read a Stephen King (The Institute) and Dean Koontz (Intensity). All page turners.

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  3. I haven't read this author but this novel sounds captivating and unforgettable. A book which made me read into the wee hours was From a Paris Balcony by Ella Carey.

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  4. This story sounds memorable and special. I will be reading this book. I enjoy the intriguing stories which hold my interest. Many stories are gripping but The Secret Society of Salzburg was exceptional.

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  5. Thanks for the terrific review. This book sounds exciting. But, my PTSD will no longer permit me to read exciting stories. It sounds as though Ms Walsh is at the beginning of a wonderful writing career.

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  6. I have not read this author before, but it sounds great! I'm currently reading The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier and it is keeping me up well past my bedtime! If I didn't have to get the kids to school and go into the office I would have kept going :-)

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  7. This is a new author for me. Would love to win! I stayed up very late last night to finish The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. It was a fantastic book!

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  8. New author for me. I’m reading Caught off Guard by Kim Law, keeping me up at night turning pages!

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  9. Have not read this author but the story sounds very original and a tale that you cannot put down. Have to check for this title. Thanks for sharing in your blog.

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  10. I have not yet read either book by Rosie Walsh. I save my computer time for the night, but I have spent the entire day well into the evening reading a book I couldn't put down. Most recently, I think it was The Road To Christmas by Sheila Roberts. There was so much in it I could relate to.
    It sounds like The Love of My Life needs to be on my Wish List. Thank you for the review and the giveaway.

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  11. Patricia Bennett BarberJanuary 20, 2023 at 4:41 PM

    New author to me..
    But this book sounds so good!!!
    And i can't remember the last book that I couldn't put down,, but I know I have.

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  12. I have not read Rosie Walsh yet. My most recent late night read was Nora Goes Off Script.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, I didn't post under my name: Susan Chew.

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