This is a book about a childhood pact to marry each other if still single at the age of thirty. But it is so much more than that. Set in two timelines and told from Kate’s perspective we see a marriage hitting its ten year anniversary. Two completely different family backgrounds mean neither really knows how a stable family works. I loved the eighties timeline as I was around the same age and it is packed with current events and nostalgia. The author has obviously done her research. It’s slow paced but don’t let that put you off as the characters alone make this a worthy read, Viv in particular. I’m glad the author changed the ending as it tied everything up beautifully. Some quite tough topics written with tender care.