4.5 Stars
Having not been particularly fond of the first book about Robin Wilde (Wilde Like Me) I am not really sure why I purchased the second - who am I kidding I spotted it on sale and thought "bargain". You know what, I am really glad that I did. This is a much more cohesive book than the first and the narrative flows much more easily and you just sink in to Robin's world.
This is a roller coaster for the emotions though. From the trials and tribulations of Robin's work life, romantic life and the joys (or otherwise of motherhood) to Lacey's obsession with getting pregnant and Aunt Kath's loneliness it is all covered. It didn't make me laugh out loud or cry but I can see how those overt emotions could be evoked by the words on the page. It does help to have read the first book as you know who the various characters are, their backstories and how we are where we are. There was little backstory detailed in the book so without this some of the characters may appear a little peculiar initially.
There are some quite stark themes dealt with here, more so than in the first book. Yes, I know the first book dealt with depression but somehow that felt like a surface treatment but this time it felt like real emotion.
**SPOILER ALERT**
It was, in some ways, quite shocking to come across the theme of miscarriage in the book. Yes, Robin did get pregnant accidentally by her "New York Man" and it did cause a major rift between her and Lacey. However, just as she has started to get excited about the pregnancy and decided that it isn't a bad thing she loses the child. Her emotional reactions in the aftermath felt real and your heart broke just a little for her. Couple this with Lacey's blooming pregnancy and the ensuing arguments between them and brought a real dynamism to the friendship which lifted the book.
I was also gratified to see Aunt Kath get a new beau in her life. I particularly enjoyed Lyla's reaction to this change in their family dynamic. None of us like change but small children seem particularly resistant to it and her tantrums about Kath's seeming abandonment of Derek were realistic.
**SPOILER ALERT**
This is a warm book that feels true to life - albeit a life that is slightly charmed. Despite whatever comes Robin's way she always seems to make it out on top - just a pity that real life never works out the way it does in novels!
Having not been particularly fond of the first book about Robin Wilde (Wilde Like Me) I am not really sure why I purchased the second - who am I kidding I spotted it on sale and thought "bargain". You know what, I am really glad that I did. This is a much more cohesive book than the first and the narrative flows much more easily and you just sink in to Robin's world.
This is a roller coaster for the emotions though. From the trials and tribulations of Robin's work life, romantic life and the joys (or otherwise of motherhood) to Lacey's obsession with getting pregnant and Aunt Kath's loneliness it is all covered. It didn't make me laugh out loud or cry but I can see how those overt emotions could be evoked by the words on the page. It does help to have read the first book as you know who the various characters are, their backstories and how we are where we are. There was little backstory detailed in the book so without this some of the characters may appear a little peculiar initially.
There are some quite stark themes dealt with here, more so than in the first book. Yes, I know the first book dealt with depression but somehow that felt like a surface treatment but this time it felt like real emotion.
**SPOILER ALERT**
It was, in some ways, quite shocking to come across the theme of miscarriage in the book. Yes, Robin did get pregnant accidentally by her "New York Man" and it did cause a major rift between her and Lacey. However, just as she has started to get excited about the pregnancy and decided that it isn't a bad thing she loses the child. Her emotional reactions in the aftermath felt real and your heart broke just a little for her. Couple this with Lacey's blooming pregnancy and the ensuing arguments between them and brought a real dynamism to the friendship which lifted the book.
I was also gratified to see Aunt Kath get a new beau in her life. I particularly enjoyed Lyla's reaction to this change in their family dynamic. None of us like change but small children seem particularly resistant to it and her tantrums about Kath's seeming abandonment of Derek were realistic.
**SPOILER ALERT**
This is a warm book that feels true to life - albeit a life that is slightly charmed. Despite whatever comes Robin's way she always seems to make it out on top - just a pity that real life never works out the way it does in novels!