The Saturday Place by Alice Peterson

 

Three perfect strangers who help each other to believe in love again

Holly's husband died, and she’s lonely. She needs to do something to save herself, quickly. Next thing she knows she’s interviewing for a voluntary cooking job, surprised to be ambushed by a scruffy man who looks like he has a past.

Angus has messed up. He’s lost the respect of his family and has none for himself. If it weren’t for his brother and friend who run the café, he’d be sleeping on the streets. Angus is about ready to give up – until he meets Holly, who sparks something in him.

Then Lauren arrives from the homeless shelter. She came to London with nothing but an old train ticket, a teddy bear, and the clothes on her back. With no family, no home, no friends, she doesn’t know what love is. People scare her. She’s terrified of Angus and Holly. At first.

Each of them finds themselves in the Saturday café at a time when they need something to grab hold of. It might have to be each other…

I knew 2024 was going to be a great year for books when I saw the news that one of my favourite authors Alice Peterson was back with a new book. The Saturday Place invites us to a café that provides more than a hearty meal, it’s a place of support, socialising as well as a sanctuary to fill your belly with food that would have otherwise gone to waste.

The storyline has three central characters Holly, Angus and Lauren who all find themselves in the café as volunteers but little did they know that by volunteering and helping others they themselves find that they are benefiting from this little community hub too. Each of our main characters are living a difficult chapter in their lives but with each other for comfort and support they form an unlikely bond and begin to see that with time and small gradual changes which may feel like hurdles at times that life that has taken a dark turn can be full of light once again.

This storyline is so simple yet so emotive and pure, tackling challenges that many of us have come across either personally or to those close to us. There are no dramatic twists and turns or big secrets to uncover it is an insightful and touching novel that will touch your heart and capture your attention the whole way through.

I personally felt so connected to this book especially to the lovely Holly having also lost my husband I found I could relate to so many thoughts, feelings and emotions that she had most strongly the loneliness that engulfs you. The way the author writes about living with grief after the loss of your partner was so tenderly done and honest. I longed for a happy ever after for her not necessarily to find another partner but just to feel happy, loved and fulfilled.

Lauren’s story was another delicate one too and I loved watching her blossom as a person as she learned to trust and to accept help. The who book though focusing on touching topics still felt hopeful and uplifting.

I was quite sad to leave these characters behind but I loved every moment of this book.

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If You Were Here blog tour

Today I am hosting the last stop for the If You Were Here blog tour and what a cracking final stop this will be for this corker of a book. I am going to be sharing my review with you, telling you why you need Alice Peterson's new release and to top it off the wonderful team over at Simon & Schuster have been uber generous and are offering 5 copies YES 5! for a Uk giveaway, so five of you will have your weekend sorted!

When her daughter Beth dies suddenly, Peggy Andrews is left to pick up the pieces and take care of her granddaughter Flo. But sorting through Beth’s things reveals a secret never told: Beth was sick, with the same genetic condition that claimed her father’s life, and now Peggy must decide whether to keep the secret or risk destroying her granddaughter’s world.
 
Five years later, Flo is engaged and moving to New York with her fiancé. Peggy never told her what she discovered, but with Flo looking towards her future, Peggy realises it’s time to come clean and reveal that her granddaughter’s life might also be at risk.
 
As Flo struggles to decide her own path, she is faced with the same life-altering questions her mother asked herself years before: if a test could decide your future, would you take it?

Alice Peterson is my go to author who has never fell short in any of her novels.  I can always count on her giving me food for thought and a good old tug on the heart strings and this is certainly the case in her latest release If You Were Here.

We are welcomed by three generations of a humble family whose lives have been pulled apart by Huntington’s disease, Grandmother Peggy has cared for her dear husband who died from the terrible disease and if this wasn’t hard enough, she then lost her daughter Beth to the same tragedy too. Granddaughter Flo now knows the truth about her mother’s health and now faces one of the most difficult decisions of her life

This novel is definitely a thought provoking read, I couldn’t help but think what my choice would be if I was in the same position as Flo. Personally I would take the test but I can also see the valid reasons why people would rather not know.

Huntington disease wasn’t a disease I was aware of until I read a novel last year whose main character had the disease and what I think was wonderful about this novel is that although it shows you the effects and symptoms of Huntington’s which brought great awareness it actually focuses on the choice of knowing if you have the disease. I was unaware there was a test you could take to see if you have the gene so the book has definitely given me more knowledge and awareness.

My heart really went out to Flo in this novel but I also felt incredibly sorry for Peggy having gone through so many tragic years losing those closest to her and then having the responsibility of telling Flo is just unimaginable and cruel after all she has been through. I could see both Peggy and Beth’s plight in that there never seems to be a right time to tell people some things and although you with hold information to try and protect offers until the time is right this always seems to end up biting us on the bum.

I thought it was a beautiful touch in the way Beth’s character still shone through in this book through her diary entries, I looked forward to reading each entry we were treated too allowing us to hear in her own words about her decision whether to find out if she had the gene and the effects and thought process behind her actions.

As ever it is very clear to see that Alice Peterson has carried out a vast amount of in-depth research for this book and obviously feels very passionate about getting the awareness out there whilst at the same time weaving this around a beautiful poignant and captivating storyline that has a little sprinkling of romance and a bundle full of love and support too. Alice has such a beautiful writing voice which carries me away each and every time and I am always so sad to come to the end of her books and leave her loveable and lifelike characters behind.

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A Song for Tomorrow by Alice Peterson

Tom fell in love with Alice the moment he saw her. He realises that being with her will not be easy, but she is a force of nature, a burst of sunlight in his otherwise ordinary world. 

Some people might look at Alice and think she has everything, but Alice knows she is not like other women. Her life is complicated, unpredictable, difficult. Alice does not like pity. All she wants to do, has ever wanted to do, is sing. 

Alice has been told not to follow her dreams. So has Tom. But when fate has already dealt a tough hand, it’s time to stop listening to everyone else and only follow their hearts.

Alice Peterson has always been a favourite author of mine and her book By My Side has always sat on the top spot. When I read the synopsis for A Song for Tomorrow I knew this was going to be a deep moving read so I had my tissues at the ready.

Alice Martineau has always dreamed of becoming a singer but words from her past have prevented her from chasing her dream but when she gets yet another rejection from her modelling career she makes the decision to finally make her dream a reality.

When Tom sets eyes on Alice for the first time it was like love at first sight and before long a beautiful romance begins to blossom but can Tom cope with the struggles and unpredictability that Alice deals with on a daily basis?

I feel as though my heart has been pulled out and ripped into a thousand pieces and maybe taking this book with me to read whilst having my hospital treatment was not a good idea judging by the looks I received with tears running down my face! I haven’t been so moved by a book since reading Me Before You and because of Alice Peterson’s beautiful and insightful writing style mixed with the fact that this storyline is actually based on the real life of the remarkable Alice Martineau fight to achieve her dreams I found this book more personal and emotional.

As we have come to expect with Alice Peterson’s books the protagonist has a disability and in this book Alice suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. The author always explores the conditions of her characters in such depth and she brings such detailed awareness of how each characters life is affected by their condition. I was aware of CF but reading this book has opened my eyes up to the daily struggles that sufferers face. There are many people in the world who long to become singers and it is an extremely difficult industry to get in to and yet add to the mix the symptoms of CF with the damage to her lungs, the constant need to cough and struggle to breathe and yet Alice was still determined to fight her way to the top and I was routing for her the whole way through I really wanted to see her achieve her dream as this is someone who really deserves to make it.

Although this was a really emotive read I found this such a beautiful and uplifting storyline as Alice brings us many highs as we watch her on her journey to attempt to become a singer, she is such a strong, understanding and determined character who grabs life with both hands and will do everything she can to enjoy each day and push to get what she dreams of. I found I had such admiration for Alice and her outlook on life can sure teach us a thing or two.

I loved the relationship between Alice and the loveable Tom, like any new relationships there are ups and downs as we begin to get to know one and other but Tom also was learning about CF and the fact that he went out of his way to read up on the condition when this was a new relationship and could have walked away showed what a lovely guy he was and how much he adored Alice I found him really endearing.

The author has put her heart and soul into this novel and it is felt on each and every page and I can imagine chapter 75 was a difficult one to write but I had goosebumps reading this chapter as there was so much emotion put into this and it was just beautiful and this was where I broke.

Since finishing this book my interest has been piqued and I wasted no time in going online and finding Alice’s album Daydreams and her voice is liquid gold she really has a strong talent and I hope that what Alice Peterson has managed to capture in this book will help to introduce this wonderful woman’s music to many readers to enjoy.

I never believed Alice Peterson would knock my favourite By My Side off the top spot but this book has achieved that and I am sure this will be my book of the year 2017 it sure will be an incredibly hard one to beat but one thing is for sure this storyline will stay with me for a long time as it has truly captured my heart.

Rare Gem Rating

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Alice Martineau's CD Daydreams

You, Me and Him by Alice Peterson

Josie and Finn are happily married, with promising careers, and a gorgeous young son, George. But despite their apparently enviable lives, George's hyperactivity disorder means the days aren't always easy. Josie's best friend Clarky has always been there for her, and when she finds out she's pregnant again she turns to him for support. She loves George, but it's just such hard work, especially as Josie takes much of the strain. Finn is suspicious. 
What does Clarky want in return for his help? 
And just how close are they really?

You, Me and Him by Alice Peterson focuses on that age old question, can men and women really just be friends without other feelings being involved?

Josie and Clarky have been best friends since childhood and years later they are still as close as ever. Sarah is now married and has an adorable and yet challenging son George but Josie struggles with caring for George and rather than getting support from husband Finn, Josie always relies on Clarky but sometimes three is a crowd.

What I loved about this authors books and also what makes her stand out from other authors who write in the same genre is that each novel introduces us to a character who has some form of disability. Alice Peterson clearly researches in depth the effect each condition has on not only the character with the disability but also how it affects those around them too. Without giving too much away the character with a disability in this book is little George and at times my heart broke for the little lad who just wanted to be “normal” and have friends to play with. Josie was also a loving and caring character who had her flaws but she wasn’t a malicious character. Her friendship with Clarky was something I could relate to as I was in the same situation as her so I was eagerly turning those pages to see what the outcome for their friendship would be. My thoughts on both Clarky and Finn changed as the storyline progressed which was surprising.

This was an addictive and insightful page turner that may make some readers stop and think before they pass judgment on some parents and children’s behaviour in public. Alice Peterson has delivered another memorable and beautifully written book with such vivid characters who I am sad to leave behind.

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Letters from my Sister by Alice Peterson

Bells is always writing to her sister Katie, but Katie never replies. Preoccupied with her glamorous career in fashion, her busy life and her boyfriend Sam, she just doesn't have the time.

Then Bells announces that she's coming to stay. She's not a secret exactly, but. . . Sam doesn't know she exists.

For Bells doesn't fit into Katie's perfect world.

But when Bells does arrive, everything changes for Katie. Perhaps her perfect life isn't so perfect after all?

Alice Peterson is an author whose books I no longer bother to read the synopsis of her books anymore as I just know whatever she delivers is going to be exceptional. I thought I had read all of this authors books but I had somehow missed Letters from my Sister ( previously published as Look the World in the Eye) so I wasted no time in making a start on this book and I ended up totally immersed and read it from cover to cover in one day.

Katie has carved out a perfect life, she has a successful business in fashion, reliable friends and a gorgeous wealthy partner Sam but she has no time left for her family. Katie’s perfect glamorous life is about to have a spanner thrown in the works when Bells is due to come and stay, but she doesn’t fit in with her new life and Sam doesn’t even know she exists.

This was such a wonderful charming read that will tug on your heart strings and also take you on a rollercoaster of thoughts when it comes to how you feel about our main character Katie. At times I found her shallow and self-obsessed but once more of her background and upbringing was revealed there was part of me that could understand the reason she is the way she is.

Bells was such a loving little sweetheart who was by far my favourite character in this book and a character who will stay in my thoughts for a long time yet. I found the scenario surrounding Bells very insightful not just from how things are for her but also how it affects those around her too. Her character brought a great element of fun to the storyline and also to Katie’s life when she finally let her in.

The storyline is one that gets you thinking as it is a very realistic plot that addresses day to day issues of peoples thoughts and perceptions of people with disabilities showing that people are all too quick to judge without taking the thoughts of those involved into account.

I absolutely adored this book but Alice Peterson you can’t leave me hanging at the end like that! I really hope that the author revisits these characters at some point if not in a full novel on them at least popping up as supporting characters somewhere as I still feel there is more to see from these characters.

This was another well written and insightful storyline with engaging characters from Alice Peterson and it gets a big thumbs up from me.

The Things We Do For Love by Alice Peterson

Today it is my stop on The Things We Do For Love by Alice Peterson blog tour. Alice is one of my top 5 authors so I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of this blog tour and I am pleased to be able to share with you my review for this heart warming book. I am also joined by Alice who has a special Guest Post for us.

Falling in love with … ouch… your boss…! Or your teacher, or in my case…

In the Things We Do For Love, I don’t think I’d be giving the game away too much by saying January finds herself in a hopeless situation: she not only falls in love with her boss, but she falls in love with her married boss. So it got me thinking about the people I’ve fallen for, people I really shouldn’t have even noticed in that way. I haven’t found myself in such a tangle as January, working in an office, seeing my boss every day, emotions becoming more and more confused, and desperately trying to keep my distance because the last thing I want to do is break up a relationship. I feel for January. It’s not easy keeping her distance when she is the boss’s PA and he calls you into his office every other minute…

My love life hasn’t been nearly as complicated as January’s but that’s not to say I’ve never fallen for people that I just shouldn’t have fallen for… I have done so quite a few times, and some experiences I can’t write about (sorry) because he may well be reading this! So instead, I am going to take you back in time, to my first crush.

I was twelve years old and had just begun playing competitive tennis. Mum had arranged a tennis lesson with the Winchester Club pro, Dave. Up until then I’d had no interest in boys (and certainly not in men). You should have seen the clothes I wore! Dowdy old kilts and polo necks, thick tights and shirts buttoned right up to the collar - and my hair was styled in two fat plaits. The only love of my life was my tennis racket that I frequently took up to bed with me, along with our family dog, Gemma. So I didn’t understand quite why I began to feel whatever is was for Dave, especially when he stood opposite me on the court, hand on his hips, frowning as he said,

‘You’re too fat and you need to cut your hair!’

From then on, it was true love!

Here was this vision, this man in a turquoise shell tracksuit and smart trainers, a chain around his wrist, or was it around his neck, I can’t really remember, except thinking it was so different to my father! I think he might have even had one ear pierced. It was all so exciting. My knees gave way and my heart began to pound as we hit some balls across the net. And then when I served he was standing right behind me, showing me the shoulder and swing action. It must have been his authority, charisma, charm, his leadership qualities and the fact that we were working towards the same goal: me getting to play at Wimbledon. And lastly, his looks might have had something to do with it. He wasn’t good looking in a conventional way but he was definitely attractive. He would have been in his early 30s when I first met him and married, but that didn’t stop me from fantasising about Dave driving me away in his red sports car and often I imagined what it would feel like to kiss him (I really hope he’s not reading this!!) Often he was in my diary entries with hearts around his name. Over the years, up until I was eighteen, I did, of course, get over my crush and we became good friends on and off the court - no scandal I’m afraid, and thank goodness too. Rather than falling in love, instead Dave saw me to the starry heights of becoming one of the top ten best players in the country, and I will always look back affectionately to those times. 

The Things We Do For Love

September 10^th 2015

Published by Quercus

www.alicepeterson.co.uk

Love may hurt, but not loving hurts even more . . . 

 January Wild loves her daughter, her dog and her childhood home by the sea. Single parenting is tough, but January has no regrets. She has a job she loves, a happy home and the support of her beloved grandfather. The arrival of a new boss, however, threatens to shake up January's safe world. Ward Metcalfe loves great sales results and a well-run office. Everyone at her office agrees: Ward is a soulless, corporate slave driver. Even Spud, the company mascot, dislikes him. 

 A secret stands between them. Yet over time January sees there is more to Ward than meets the eye. Rumours circulate. 

What exactly is he hiding? 

and is January prepared to risk everything to find out?

I can’t tell you how excited I was to start reading Alice Peterson’s latest release The Things we do for Love. I have adored every single book this author has delivered and I trust her writing so much that I didn’t even read the synopsis as I just wanted to full into the storyline straight away.

Our heroine in this book is January, she is a strong and courageous character who has a pure heart of gold so she is easy to love. She has had a very tough life from an early age and yet she still picks herself up and pushes on with life and seems to overcome each hurdle and finding herself that little bit stronger but it is clear that she still holds a lot of emotion inside.

The book jumps back and forth through time which allows us to really get to know January and see what she has had to go through in life. We meet her precious little girl Isla who is a wonderful little girl who unfortunately suffers with Cerebral Palsy which is a big pressure on January especially having to juggle being a single parent and also a job to pay the bills it leaves little time for herself or for romance to blossom.

This is such a poignant read that so incredibly beautifully written. I was so moved by January’s story it was highly emotive and yet in the same breath I also found the storyline quite uplifting too. The author has poured her heart into this book and it is felt through every chapter. The topic of Cerebral Palsy plays a strong part in this storyline and the author tackles this subject with such tenderness but also with a lot of knowledge surrounding the condition so it showed that the author undertook plenty of research in this area.

As well as the storyline pulling on my heartstrings which I often find when I read an Alice Peterson novel there was also a splash of romance too and it was great to watch the romance blossom and you can’t help but wish for January to have a happy ending after all she has been through.

I have enjoyed each and every book by Alice Peterson and constantly find myself recommending them but my favourite has always been By My Side and I have a special attachment to that book and I have to say that The Things We do for Love was the first book of hers to come very close to knocking this one off of my top spot!

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One Step Closer to You by Alice Peterson

After Polly ends her relationship with the father of her young son, Louis, she is determined to move on. All she wants is to focus on her job, her friends and to be a good mum. No more looking over her shoulder. No more complications . . . Then Polly meets Ben. Ben is guardian of his niece, Emily. They become close, with Polly teaching Ben how to plait Emily's hair, and Ben playing football with Louis. Their friendship is unexpected. Polly’s never been happier. But when Louis's dad reappears in their life, all Polly’s mistakes come back to haunt her and her resolve weakens when he swears he has changed. Will she give herself a second chance to love?


I am a massive Alice Peterson fan, to me her books can not be compared to another author that I have read. Although I was really looking forward to reading her new release One Step Closer To You I have to admit that I was a little hesitant only because her last book By My Side was just exceptional and really touched me and is a book that I still find myself recommending on a weekly basis so I was worried that I would be disappointed with this book because I just couldn't see it being anywhere near as good as my favourite book by Alice.

Polly wants to make a new start with her life for her and for her son Louis, she has left Louis's dad and is straightening herself out and things are falling into place. Ben soon comes into Polly's life and he needs help and Polly is there for him and a firm friendship forms between the couple. As happy as she is Polly constantly has the worry that her ex may suddenly appear which could make her new happy world crumble.

Alice Peterson has done it again with another flawless novel that I couldn't put down. The author has a style of writing that is effortless and from the first chapter you can't help but become immersed in this engaging storyline. 

The characters in this book were all so genuine and our main character Polly was such an inspiring woman who doesn't let her weakness control her she finds strength to pull herself together and has pure determination in getting her life where she wants it to be. She is a loving and caring character and I absolutely loved her. My favourite character by far though is Hugo he is such a protective and caring character who has such a wicked sense of humor he had me chuckling away. The author managed again to write about a character with a disability and yet not make the character one that you pity she has a way of showing the difficulties they face in day to day life but yet also show that just because they have a disability they are know different to us.

I loved that this book was unpredictable there was one twist in particular that I was blinded by and yet looking back the clues were there but written in such a clever way that I wasn't suspicious.

This book is a very inspiring read that is heart wrenching at times and yet uplifting and sometimes humorous too. This is a beautiful read and I absolutely loved it so I had no need to worry, By My Side is still my favourite but in all honesty I think that book just had a massive impact on me. This is still an fabulous read that I can't praise enough, Alice Peterson strikes again.

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Alice Peterson Interview

Today we are joined by the lovely award winning author ........ Alice Peterson.

Alice has kindly come to answer some questions that I have been longing to ask, so let's get to know this talented lady a little more.

1) One Step Closer to You is released tomorrow how will you be celebrating your publication day?

I am celebrating with my agent, Charlotte Robertson at United, along with my lovely publicist Margot Weale, and editors Jane Wood and Katie Gordon at Quercus. My friends are then taking me out in the evening for more fun. 

2) This book focuses on addiction what research did you take for this book?

I spoke to a number of recovering addicts, along with counsellors who specialised in addiction. It’s strange how things happen but when I write people suddenly turn up at the right time, as if I’m being helped along… I was at supper party and placed next to an old friend of my sister’s, Mark, who I hadn’t seen in about ten years. When he asked me what I was up to I mentioned by book and how it was a love story but I also wanted to make my two leading characters recovering addicts. He was quiet, before telling me he’d been to rehab. We then began to meet regularly. He was amazingly open and honest, funny and moving. I found his input invaluable. That’s what I mean; serendipity!

3) Hugo is my favourite character in this book. In your books there are usually characters with disabilities and you write about them with such insight, do you spend a lot of time with characters with these disabilities to be able to know all their daily struggles?

I love how Hugo is your favourite, he is the brother everyone wants, isn’t he! So gorgeous and huggable, loyal and intelligent, caring and funny – and oh yeah, he’s blind. He is in fact inspired by one of my greatest friend’s friends. I didn’t know him well, but was always curious to know how he skied down black runs, what school he’d gone to, how he’d get home from a night out or from the office in the pitch black, how he felt about being partially sighted and how it affected his friendships and relationships. I am drawn to characters with disability because of my own experiences living with rheumatoid arthritis. I also think it’s so important to represent people with disability in fiction since they are part of everyday life and they enrich everyday life – I mean, look at the Paralympics. Disability is all around us, just not many people write about it.

4) By My Side is my absolute favourite of your books, which has been your favourite to write?

I find that each book I write is my favourite. So, the book I’m writing now is! But when I was writing One Step Closer To You, I became so involved with the characters and the drama, that that was easily my favourite…

5) Another Alice tells your story of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and we see that you actually dreamed of becoming a Tennis Player and was well on your way to fulfilling that dream. As a successful and well loved author do you still feel like you have missed out on your dream or has your love for writing changed your dreams?

When I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis aged 18 I didn’t think anything could ever fill the void of my tennis days. I’m 40 now, and I still miss tennis, but not so much the competition - more the fun I’d had on court. I would die to play tennis with my niece and nephew, Emy and Billy. What I’d give never to be in pain again. But I don’t dream of Wimbledon. My goals have completely changed, and my sense of how fortunate I am has completely altered too. Having RA has deepened and strengthened relationships with friends and family. I have also been able to channel all the determination and ambition I had on the court to my writing. My writing, though it’s taken some time, (and I still have a long way to go!) has been my saviour. I love it and cannot now imagine a life without my laptop and stories. I have so enjoyed the success of being published and the feedback I get from readers and bloggers. I wouldn’t trade the life I have now for my old life.
6) How does your Rheumatoid Arthritis affect you in your writing and day to day life now and more importantly is your Magic Drug still doing its magic!

I bought Darcy, my Lucas Terrier, largely due to my RA. I knew it would be great exercise and that dog walking would take me away from sitting hunched at my computer all day that is not good for anyone, let alone someone like me! What a great decision to get Darcy, since he inspired Monday to Friday Man! I do have splints for my wrists, which I wear if they’re hurting; otherwise they remain in the bottom of my drawer. I do get tired, but, on the whole, with my magic drug, I am well, although occasionally I have very nasty episodes of pain.

7) Have you started writing your next book or do you have any ideas floating around that you can tease us with?

Oh Rea, I can’t tell you what it’s about although very tempting! All I can say is part of it is set in a beautiful house by the sea in Cornwall and it has all the Alice P themes: disability, plenty of romance, hardship, love, sacrifice, loyalty, joy, the feel good factor  – it will make you laugh and cry.

8) If you were approached for one of your books to be made into a film which one would you pick and who could you see playing your leading lady?

One Step Closer To You – Emily Blunt would make the perfect Polly. I think I’d choose this one because of the twist, which I think would make great drama on the big screen… plus it is so romantic.  

9) You have recently won an award for Best Romantic Read at the Festival of Romance, were you surprised and did you have a speech ready?

All the shortlisters were advised to have a speech ready along with a 3 minute reading. I was surprised, due to the competition being strong. I could hardly feel my legs when I went on to the stage to collect my trophy! It was an amazing moment, it felt like the Oscars, the way the envelope was opened, and then there was another pause, and then another announcement, ‘and the winner of the best romantic read is…’ PAUSE… ‘Alice Peterson’. Fireworks went off in my head. It is so lovely to have that kind of recognition. 

Thank you so much for coming over to chat with us Alice. One Step Closer To You is out tomorrow don't forget to grab your copy.



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You can follow Alice on twitter @AlicePeterson1
On Facebook Alice Peterson
Or check out her website http://www.alicepeterson.co.uk/

Another Alice by Alice Peterson

We all have our favourite authors and we read all of their books and now with social media we get to interact with them too so some of us feel like we actually know these talented people. Alice Peterson is one of my top 5 authors and I have devoured each of her books and they each have been a joy to read. During some twitter conversations I knew that Alice had originally had dreams set on becoming a successful Tennis player but due to an illness this wasn't possible and now reading her book Another Alice I got to know the whole story.

Alice suffers with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis which was what lead her to her dreams becoming shattered. She was such a talented player and her future was looking like it was beginning to look bright but then just as she was about to leave for America she was struck by pain that seemed to travel around her body and after tests were done her diagnosis was confirmed.

This is such a heartbreaking read, more so because this is our much loved author not a fictional character who we read about on a daily basis. Alice manages to make her emotions flow through the pages those of pain, devastation, and feeling at such a low point that the only option at time is one of giving up. It was so hard to read the thoughts of such a young lady and a lot of it I could relate to so I did find moments of reading this book that I was blubbering away.

Through her book Alice manages to give the reader an insight to the illness and how it is trying to live with it so this book definitely helps to raise awareness of this debilitating autoimmune disease.  For selfish reasons we all love that this inspirational woman keeps providing us with pure talent and enjoyment but the reasons as to why she is now in this career and not a world name on those courts is just so unfair. 

I read this book in 2 hours and I couldn't put it down I loved this author before reading this book and I love her more so now, not out of pity for what she went through and what she still faces in day to day life, but because she is such a strong inspirational woman who I admire greatly. It was a pleasure to find out more about this authors journey and as ever she writes beautifully.

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By My Side by Alice Peterson

 

One step can change everything...

Cass Brooks loves her job, her boyfriend Sean, her life. Until, leaving home one morning, distracted and hungover, she steps into the path of a truck. When she wakes up, she can't walk. And suddenly all her hopes and dreams, the plans she'd made with Sean, the future she thought she'd have, seem out of her reach. But then fate intervenes again. Cass meets Ticket, a loyal golden Labrador who refuses to leave her side. And on a flight to Colorado, she sits next to Charlie, who believes he can show her a life full of possibilities, if only she'll let him. Cass wants her life back the way it was. Charlie knows this cannot be. Yet a future beckons all the same...

Every so often I get a book where part of me wants to devour it in one go because it is so good but yet the other part of me really doesn’t want it to end so I constantly pick it up and put it down! This is how I felt when I was reading By My Side.

Our heroine in this book is unlike any heroine I have read before. Cass was studying medicine, enjoying life, and spending time with her boyfriend Sean. Her life takes a dramatic change after an accident leaves her wheelchair bound.

Sean breaks up with Cass and she can not bring herself to return to her course in medicine. Now she faces life in a chair and she doesn’t see a future ahead.

This book actually blew me away. Alice Peterson has always had a remarkable style of writing and she manages to engage you in the storyline, this book is written in true Alice form. By My Side sees Alice’s writing at its best.

The storyline was so detailed and realistic that it could almost have been someones diary I was reading. The author has quite clearly spent a lot of time doing her research for this book, nothing is briefly skimmed over everything is delivered in great detail.

Disabilities are usually seen as a taboo subject in fiction, usually if there is a character with a disability they are only briefly mentioned in books where as this book is unique in the fact that the whole book is based around Cass and her new friends with disabilities.

Cass soon felt like a friend. We see her go through every possible emotion as she comes to terms with her disability. She was such a warm, genuine and courageous character who you love from the first chapter.

The storyline helps to give insight not only in the day to day lives of someone who is wheelchair bound, but also things that are available to them such as activity holidays and of course Canine Partners where you can go to be paired with a helper dog.

Ticket was a great furry friend and a great addition to an already perfect book. Be sure to pick up a copy of By My Side as it is one of the best books I have read this year and also my favourite by Alice Peterson. It will have you laughing, crying and will get those brain clogs ticking.

Really this review only needed to words PURE PERFECTION.

This book is going to get our rare gem rating ( only the second one so far this year )

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Ten Years On by Alice Peterson

I loved Alice Peterson’s previous novel Monday to Friday Man and I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new novel Ten Years On which I was hoping was going to be just as good.

Ten Years On centres around the two characters Rebecca and Joe. Rebecca is an instantly loveable and warm character who you just feel the need to wrap her up in bubble wrap and look after her! 

When we first meet Joe he is definitely a ladies man but as the book progresses I found that each time Joe is around I was getting a little hot under the collar (as were most of the characters in the book!) It has been ten years since they last had contact but now Rebecca’s circumstances change and she finds herself running back to her childhood home while she recovers, the last thing she expected was for Joe to still be in the same village. They are forced to confront their past which caused them to lose contact but will they be able to move on and start a new chapter?

I am sure any of you who read Monday to Friday Man had a tear in your eye by the end of that book, well I think you will have a tear at the beginning, middle and end of Ten Years On! I have not had a real weepy book since Me Before You but the old lump in the throat definitely occurs in this book but although it is an emotional read, I didn’t find it really low and depressing. I was gripped from the start of this book and I think it is because it is such a touching and easy read which flowed at a great pace all the way through meaning I couldn’t put it down hence the reason I finished it in one sitting!

The story alternates at times back when Rebecca and Joe first knew each other and then back again to 10 years later when they re-meet. I loved this as it gave the characters more depth and gave us more insight into the relationship between the two characters. We don’t find out until a little further on as to why Rebecca and Joe lost contact but I did have an inkling as to why this could have been but this didn’t ruin the storyline or the enjoyment of the book.

It was quite clear that a little research had been done for this book as there were some very interesting references and tips when it came to wine tasting so I am assuming that the author had quite an interesting time doing research for this book!

This is a definite for all of your to be read piles a little weepy and a lot of hope this one will be pulling at your heart strings. I will definitely be reading more work in the future by Alice Peterson.

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Interview with Alice Peterson

I really enjoyed Monday to Friday Man by Alice Peterson and so when I heard she was releasing a new book I knew I just had to read it. We are lucky enough today to have Alice over on the blog for a little chat and to tell us a little about her new book.

1) Tell us a little bit about your new book. 

Ten Years On is based around two characters, Joe and Rebecca, who meet at college and become good friends - but for a reason I can’t say (I don’t want to spoil it entirely!) they lose touch. Ten years later, they meet again, and all those questions about their past slowly unfold. The themes of the story are grief and the courage it takes to move on. It’s about being true to yourself and following your dream. And finally, it’s a moving love story.

2) I found there was a lot of detailed information delicately put into the book regarding wine tasting! Did you have fun carrying out the research for this book?

Did I have fun? I had the best fun! I signed up for a six-week Berry Bros course and learned a lot about wine, and rarely did I use the spittoon! I had to be careful heading home in the tube, making sure I didn’t lose my balance on the escalators…

3) Are your characters in this novel based on people you know?

You can vaguely spot my dad in Harvey, Rebecca’s father. My dad loves old china and wears daring pink cardigans! I wish Joe was based on someone I know… To me, he is the most perfect man. We also used to have a Miniature Dachshund called Jasmine, the inspiration for Audrey. There always has to be a dog in my novels…!

4) What gave you the inspiration for this book?

A friend of mine very sadly divorced and had to move back to her childhood home, so that her mother could give her support with her two children while she worked. She was very funny about not wanting to bump into her parents’ friends in Sainsburys – she also said how hard it was to leave her old life and London behind. This was the beginning of my idea - it really grew from there.

5) Are you currently working on your next novel (we are impatient!) If so can you tell us what to expect?

I am working on a new novel - I am so passionate about this one. It’s going to make you laugh and cry, and it’s very provocative. It should get you thinking, in the same way that Ten Years On does…

6) What was the last book you read?

Can I say the last best book I read was Jojo Moyes, Me before You. I couldn’t put it down.

7) If you were stuck on a tropical Island what would be your 3 must have items?

Suncream – I burn easily… Pen and paper Could you call my dog, Mr Darcy, an item?

8) Are you a kindle convert or do you still prefer a good traditional paperback?

 I don’t have a Kindle yet but I love the fact that readers download my books on to them… Having said that, I will always continue to buy books too – my home would look really strange without my bookshelves. Deep down, I’m an old-fashioned girl at heart.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us Alice. Come back tomorrow when my review of Ten Years On will be up.


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Monday to Friday Man by Alice Peterson

I brought Monday to Friday Man by Alice Peterson last year the day it came out as a treat to myself but due to the books which have been submitted to me for review I haven’t had the chance to read it and it has been sitting on my To Be Read pile waiting for me to finally pick it up! I have read all of the books which are being released for January and so now seemed a good time to pick my long awaited treat and start reading.

Plot
He proposed.
She accepted.
He changed his mind.
She was heartbroken.
Gilly Brown now finds herself alone in London with only her little dog Ruskin for company. It's time to move on.
On a friend's advice, she looks for a lodger, a Monday to Friday one, and eventually finds just the right man - Jack Baker, a handsome reality television producer. The extra cash is great, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't enjoy his company too.
Friends and family see Jack as the perfect tonic for Gilly, except for Guy, the newest recruit in her dog-walking group. What does he see and why does he feel it so strongly?
What exactly does Jack get up to at the weekends?

My Opinion
My first thoughts after finishing this book is I cannot believe it has taken me this long to finally read this beautiful book. From the moment we meet our main character Gilly (with a G!) I instantly warmed to her. Her character is very down to earth and like most people she has been through her fair share of heartache, her character comes across as very vulnerable but yet she seems to have a lovely sense of humour. I also loved the character of Guy who felt a little eccentric but yet a pure gentleman.

I am not a big fan of books which have lots of characters in as I find myself starting to lose track of who is who, but this was not the case in this book there were a lot of characters but each of the characters are developed well enough to be able to differentiate between each character. For me the beauty of this book is the fact that Peterson has managed to wind a story of Gilly’s background into her current story which allows us the chance to get to know a little more about Gilly’s past.

The storyline has everything you would need in a great read, humour, romance, loveable characters, suspense and the good old tear jerker scenario.

The pace of this book and also the realistic storyline made this book a real page turner and I for one will be looking forward to her new book which is due for release this year.