We’re kind of bamboozled by this book. It is completely out of any boundaries and expectations set for lesroms. It is twisting, twisted and throbs with secrets clawing to get out. It is intense and entirely immersive.

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Romcom, humour central with a side of angst. This book is so much fun and such a fluid read that it should be an immediate dive for anyone who hasn’t read it.

Read the full review @https://www.bestlesficreviews.com/2019/01/that-certain-something-by-clare-ashton.html

I loved this book. First off, the characters are just wonderful. Except maybe Sam, I didn't like her but I suppose my dislike for her still means she was well done. Poppy and her family and friends were lovely and each featured character felt unique and real. Rosalyn was tougher to connect with - being that she's a good guy and a bad guy all at once for much of the book. Being, myself, a person who often comes across as unlikable, I felt a bit more for her than maybe some other readers. But one thing is undeniable, Poppy and Rosalyn have some kick-ass chemistry.

 

This romance had just about everything for me and the author's voice, writing style, and sense of humor will keep me coming back for more.

 

I definitely recommend this book to any lover of romance novels.

 

 

 

 

Description: I really enjoyed this book! Clare Ashton has created characters that felt real enough and I felt very much involved and invested in their story, read almost entirely in one sitting. The story has a familiar theme of a true love character being reunited with someone she spurned a decade ago, when she was a late teen. There is much miscommunication, pain and wasting of time in the book, but the other little side stories, again with real characters mitigated the angst and tedium, as we all know where this is headed.

Bit of a complaint here: I think Clare Ashton writes well and I think I am well read with a good grasp of the English language, but I'll be damned if I wasn't required to have an online dictionary open in my computer's second screen as I read this story. Using the word "perspicacious" to describe a discerning guest at a wedding reception seems a bit much. Welsh language is sprinkled throughout the story so we never forget where we are but its a bit difficult to forget where we are when the entire story takes place in a small Welsh village. But, really, so I learned the meaning of a few Welsh words. No bother.

Some whining: So. We know the two ladies are bound to be together by the book's end but must we go through so much emotional torture before the HEA? I burst out with 'it' rather instantly, but then we would not have a book, would we.

An observation: The language used was a bit formal and read almost like Jane Austen in the last fourth of the book (which renders the subsequent love scene almost an intrusive segue).

Back to me: I jump around in book reviews. Maybe I will sort this or maybe I won't. I gave this book five stars as I felt something as I read this story. I have come to realize that this is a great gift from an author, when I truly, and strongly feel an emotional connection. I had tears come to my eyes on two occasions.

Praise: There were more than a few "laugh out loud" moments such as the playing on something said sounding more like female anatomy - much to the consternation of the speaker. There was a minor mystery which was not a mystery to the reader, but had one cheering for yet another character in the cast. All is not perfect in this little Welsh village.

Summation: I loved both halves of a whole represented in the two characters, the happy-go-lucky Poppy, and the misunderstood, darkly brilliant Rosalyn. The "best Man" speech given by Poppy & Rosalyn was a perfect illustration of the two halves concept and was a beautiful experience to read I wished they hadn't had such pain in their lives but was grateful they both found ultimate happiness. They felt a bit like family to me by book's end.

Achingly beautiful.
I was nailed, riveted in reading. I felt as I need to embrace the characters to protect them from all that suffering. Expecially Clo. Not only her, but expecially her, so sweet, so frail and yet so disperately wanting to live again.
Laura and Susan. I saw what was coming. I hoped not, but I knew it.
But I liked the conclusion. I loved that Clo has been the key to their understanding. Actually even my understanding. I didn't understand Susan's reaction until Clo explained it to me.

Wow, I'm quite tired. It has been quite a powerful experience!