I'll confess The Dinner List is not the sort of book I'd usually be drawn to; it's a bit lighter than my favourite historical crime mysteries. Also, the mention of magical realism in a book description usually sends me running in the opposite direction. However, when I read the first few chapters of The Dinner List on the Readers First website, I found myself intrigued by the clever concept and, of course, the presence of Audrey Hepburn in the story helped.
The book alternates between conversation around the table at Sabrina's birthday dinner and chapters recounting the story of the relationship between Sabrina and a very important person in her life. The guests (whose identities I'm going to leave the reader to find out) all offer their different perspectives on the ups and downs, the highs and lows of this relationship. As one of them says, "Sometimes it's impossible to move forward without understanding what happened."
Clever readers may not be surprised by the piece of information disclosed half way through the book but I certainly was and it changed how I felt about what I read from that point on (but definitely not in a bad way). If anything, it made me feel more invested in the characters.
Rebecca Serle has a deft touch with prose and I particularly liked the lively banter and occasional mild flirtation around the dinner table. The presence of Audrey Hepburn certainly brought a sparkle to proceedings but the author also imbued her character with real warmth and insight. Just how you'd like to imagine Audrey Hepburn would be if she was a guest at your birthday dinner.
The Dinner List is a romantic, heart-warming story about love, loss, friendship, the possibility of second chances and the gift of forgiveness. Amongst others, it poses the questions: Are some things meant to be? Are there some things you can't fix?
The book alternates between conversation around the table at Sabrina's birthday dinner and chapters recounting the story of the relationship between Sabrina and a very important person in her life. The guests (whose identities I'm going to leave the reader to find out) all offer their different perspectives on the ups and downs, the highs and lows of this relationship. As one of them says, "Sometimes it's impossible to move forward without understanding what happened."
Clever readers may not be surprised by the piece of information disclosed half way through the book but I certainly was and it changed how I felt about what I read from that point on (but definitely not in a bad way). If anything, it made me feel more invested in the characters.
Rebecca Serle has a deft touch with prose and I particularly liked the lively banter and occasional mild flirtation around the dinner table. The presence of Audrey Hepburn certainly brought a sparkle to proceedings but the author also imbued her character with real warmth and insight. Just how you'd like to imagine Audrey Hepburn would be if she was a guest at your birthday dinner.
The Dinner List is a romantic, heart-warming story about love, loss, friendship, the possibility of second chances and the gift of forgiveness. Amongst others, it poses the questions: Are some things meant to be? Are there some things you can't fix?