By: Cathy Lamb
ISBN: 9780758295088
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publication Date: 7/28/2015
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 4 Stars
From a childhood friendship sustained over years and distance, to a journey of discovery, Cathy Lamb's poignant novel tells of two women whose paths converge with unforeseen results—and reveals the gift of connection, and the challenges that can change everything for the better…
Charlotte Mackintosh is an internationally known bestselling romance writer who has no romance, and remains a mystery to her fans. In fact, she has little in her life besides her work, her pampered cats, and her secluded home off the coast of Washington. And then there is her very best friend, Bridget, who lives in Scotland, where Charlotte lived until she was fifteen. Bridget, whom Charlotte hasn't seen in twenty years, but continues to write to—though the replies have stopped. Hurt by the silence, an opportunity arises to find answers—and maybe much more.
Charlotte must finally return to Scotland to sell her late father's cottage. It was his tragic death when Charlotte was fifteen that began her growing isolation, and the task is fraught with memories. But her plans are slowed when she's confronted with the beautiful but neglected house, the irresistible garden—and Toran, Bridget's brother. Capable and kind, Toran has the answers Charlotte seeks. And as she is drawn deeper into the community she thought she'd left behind, Charlotte learns not only more about her dear friend, but about herself—and discovers a new and unexpected path.
About the Author
Cathy Lamb was born in Newport Beach, California. As a child, she mastered the art of skateboarding, catching butterflies in bottles, and riding her bike with no hands. When she was 10, her parents moved her, two sisters, a brother, and two poorly behaved dogs to Oregon before she could fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a surfer bum. She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling. After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive. She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight. I adore my children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. I will ski because my kids insist, but I secretly don’t like it at all. Too cold and I fall all the time.I am currently working on my next book and I’m not sleeping much. Website Twitter Goodreads
My Review
A special thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Love the cover!
MY VERY BEST FRIEND by Cathy Lamb is a poignant tale of two women, filled with highly-charged topics and tragedy; mixed with humor, wit, romance, and ultimately a bond of strong friendship, love, and rediscovery. Charlotte, age thirty-five, is an international bestselling romance writer, and lives off the coast of Washington on a quiet island, Whale Island. Her ninth book was released four months earlier and she goes by her pen name, Georgia Chandler--her mother was a southern belle. Of course, Charlotte has no romance in her own life. Her late father, Quinn was Scottish. Some people call her a recluse, as she has enough in her life without people. Her publisher wants her to travel to promote her books, but she prefers to stay at home with her cats while she continues to love science. Now her mother wants her to go to Scotland to check on her cottage, fix it up and sell it. She has not been back in over twenty years—and she is afraid of flying, plus it is too painful. Bridget is her best friend-she has not seen in twenty years; however, they still communicate by writing letters to one another up until the last few months. Bridget still lives in Scotland. Her brother is Toran and often she sends her letters through him. Charlotte returns to Scotland and faced with the neglected house and irresistible garden—and is reunited with gorgeous, confident, Toran, (a hunk of a man), Bridget’s brother. Next to Bridget he had been her best friend, her first kiss and first love at fifteen. They shared a love of science, farming, gardening, and chess. Now, Charlotte and Toran are frantic. Where is Bridget and what happened to her? Is Bridget the person Charlotte once knew? What led her down this painful path? Why hadn’t she told her about her life, per past? Will these two women learn something about themselves and at the same time be there for one another through life’s trials and disappointments? Charlotte finds she has to be strong and protective on behalf of her friend, while she has been abused, molested, shunned and discriminated by others in the village. What a journey! A powerful, emotional, and bittersweet novel of friendship, a connection, support, secrets, tragedy, forgiveness, humor and acceptance. REDISCOVERY, from master storyteller connecting past and present for a beautifully written and engaging read. Characters you will remember long after the book ends!
Review Links:
