The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse @MrsAmandaProwse

About this book…

From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes the poignant tale of a woman who has always been there for her family. But will they be there for her?

Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling.

Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years. But in the break from real life, Rae realises her choices have always been made for her, and suddenly she’s questioning not only her fragile marriage but also her one-sided friendships. Is she really the pushover everyone else sees?

When Howard comes looking for reconciliation, Rae has a choice to make: keep the peace, as she always has, or put herself first for once and find out who she really is.

My review…

HOW DOES SHE DO IT?! Amanda Prowse has once again written a wonderfully evocative book that feels as though she has delved into my soul, creating characters and scenarios that will speak to so many women out there. Be warned that the tears will fall and for me personally, a scene at about 60% into the storyline absolutely broke me.

Rae-Valentine is a woman that I know many of us will relate to. The “girl in the corner”, the people pleaser who hates confrontation and is always there for her family, putting their happiness at the top of her priorities. But Rae-Valentine discovers something terrible on the night of her 25th wedding anniversary that sends her off on a journey of “self rediscovery” with her very best friend Dolly. And as she relaxes, looking back at the decisions she has made during her life, she re-evaluates the person she has become versus the woman she thought she would be.

Every woman will take something from this insightful domestic drama. Amanda Prowse has an in-depth understanding of how women react to the various ups and downs of married life and is able to portray the full spectrum of emotions that come with relationships. She creates relatable and realistic characters and is able to weave convincingly authentic plots around them. But what she does best is being able to pull out all those feelings in her readers that they didn’t even know were hiding in them! And this is why she is the First Lady of contemporary women’s fiction! For me personally, it was like looking at my own experiences reflected back at me and that hit me hard! I think that’s why I wanted more for Rae, for her to break out of her mould and create the life that would mean putting herself first-with or without the people who have always surrendered her.

I loved this book. It’s probably my most favourite that Amanda Prowse has written in recent years and I had a major book hangover when I finished it. Plus very red eyes and an inclination to sign up to the journalism course I wanted to do when I was 18 but was told I was too “quiet, introverted and emotionally attached” to attempt! It’s never too late!!

Highly recommended by me!

Meet the author…

Amanda Prowse likens her own life story to those she writes about in her books. After self-publishing her debut novel, Poppy Day, in 2011, she has gone on to author twenty novels and six novellas. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and she regularly tops bestseller charts all over the world. Remaining true to her ethos, Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined. The most prolific female contemporary-fiction writer in the UK, with a legion of loyal readers, she goes from strength to strength. Being crowned ‘queen of domestic drama’ by the Daily Mail was one of her finest moments. Amanda is a regular contributor on TV and radio but her first love is, and will always be, writing.

You can find her online at http://www.amandaprowse.com, on Twitter @MrsAmandaProwse, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/amandaprowsenogreaterlove.