Going Home

I loved this book more than I have loved any other in a while. It is hard to imagine that someone could read something I feel is so wonderful, and hate it. The family dynamics are captivating, and the setting is breath- taking. The characters are anything but dull! I guess it just goes to show that different people love different things. In my opinion, you should at least give this book a try.

I could not put the book down - the family, the house, and the romance woven into the family story kept me guessing until the end. I was not sure how the story about the family home would end up and the romance between Lizzy, Miles and David would be resolved. I think the author did a great job of keeping the reader guessing. It takes a bit to understand some of the British "slang" in the book but it does not detract from the wonderful story. Definitely a book to read and enjoy!

A friend loaned me this book because she thoroughly enjoyed it. I did too! It is a wonderful story, and Harriet Evans's style of writing is engrossing. Her attention to detail and ability to capture and hold the reader's attention is phenominal. Some parts were laugh out loud funny, while other parts were simply fine storytelling mixed with light drama. If you love British "chick lit" I would highly recommend this book, which operates on a slightly higher plane of intelligence than most "chick lit", yet is still entertaining and down to earth.

The book begins with an accounting of a universal experience: returning home to spend Christmas with your extended family. It offers great description of the holiday frenzy (both good and bad) from the rat race of buying gifts to the roller coaster of emotions felt by reuniting with friends and family. After Christmas, romance is gradually unveiled and through careful explanation, the novel offers genuine character development as the plot unfolds. I've read a lot of this genre and this one had a couple of real surprises that engaged me and kept me hungry for more. I related to the characters and was sorry when it came to a close. If you're a fan of British chick lit, this is your kind of book. I'll definitely buy more of Harriet's great prose.

When London becomes to overbearing or her troubles overwhelming, sensitive Lizzy Walters enjoys the respite of her rustic home Keeper House where her family has always been welcoming. Lizzy needs the warmth and hugs of her kin after she has lost her "big love" so she plans to go back as soon as she can escape from the hustle and bustle of London. However, this time Keeper House seems more foreboding than hospitable as family secrets begin to surface that shake Lizzy. Even more shocking and making Lizzy feel dizzy, he who abandoned her has arrived at her haven. She is not sure she wants to deal with him as his arrival and her family's behavior since her return make GOING HOME seem a mistake. This is an interesting English character study starring a fascinating female who decides a bit of family love is just the cure for her broken heart, but instead receives a horde of woes tossed like grenades from those she expected comfort from. The absorbing story line is somewhat amusing as the Walters seem harmlessly eccentric, but throughout readers will wonder why there is the lack of communication from anyone with Lizzy; neither her family members nor her "big love" who dumped her appear able to simply talk to Lizzy though this reviewer is not sure whey. Still she is an intriguing protagonist struggling with the down side of love. Harriet Klausner