A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell is yet another fantastic novel by this author! I’ve enjoyed many of Jill’s novels in the past few years and each one of them is such a wonderful escape from the real world and what I like best is they always leave me feeling happy. What I’ve noticed most is her ability to draw the reader so fully into her character’s lives that you feel as though they are part of your life by the time you’ve turned the last page. A Walk in the Park is no different – I was pulled into this story from the very first chapter and hesitated to put it down until I reached the end. As it seems I say with every Jill Mansell novel – I loved it!
Lara left home at sixteen, having been thrown out by her father and stepmother. She returns home years later when her father dies although there is definitely no love lost there but apparently there is something for her in the will. It turns out to be the house she grew up in and before you think that her father was being kind to her – he wasn’t. The house was never really his, it was Lara’s mother’s house. So Lara decides to move herself and her daughter Gigi into the house and although she doesn’t originally plan on having her old best friend Evie live with them, she moves in as well when she finds out on her wedding day that her fiance has been cheating on her for ages. Oh and let’s not forget Flynn who was Lara’s teenage love. Well he hasn’t changed much at all; he can still set her heart pitter-pattering in an instant but there can never be anything between them especially after Flynn learns that he is Gigi’s father. Oh boy, that should definitely set off some fire works and not the romantic kind. Hmmmmm, or will it?
What really makes this story sweet and enjoyable are all the characters and even though there are a few to keep track of it never seems a burden. My favorites though were Lara and her daughter Gigi. Lara has been a single mom and she feels she’s done a right good job even though she never saw fit to let Flynn know about his own child and he sure doesn’t seem to want to let her forget that either. That aside though she is bound and determined not to let anything romantic happen between her and Flynn for Gigi’s sake because it should be all about Gigi now. In avoiding romance she manages to get herself in a few pretty funny happenings. And Gigi – well she’s hilarious. She takes spunky to a whole new level and almost everything she said made me giggle. She’s young, carefree, and doesn’t hesitate to tell it like it is. Gigi and her mom make a great mother/daughter team but do they have room for one more?
A Walk in the Park is a light and fun read and one I enjoyed immensely. I adore British fiction and Jill Mansell tops my list of British writers. I love her writing style and how her characters and stories are always so much fun. If you’re looking to just relax and get away for a bit with a story that will brighten your day then give A Walk in the Park a read – you won’t regret it!
Please pop by tomorrow as Jill Mansell will be visiting the blog with a guest post and I’ll be giving away a copy of A Walk in the Park as well – what could be better than a chance to read this great story for yourself!
Source: Review copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley. No compensation was received for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is an author I vow to read in the new year! Your reviews have added many of her titles to my list. This sounds like another good one, Dar.
Mary, you just have to read a Mansell book in the new year. You know I wouldn’t steer you wrong – her books are fantastic!
I read just one of her books a little while ago and liked it very much. This is one I am going to keep an eye out for.
Mystica, her books are so good. I hope you get a chance to read more of them – they are well worth it.
Ahhh, a new one by Jill Mansell? I have read and liked a few of hers.
I will see you tomorrow!
Wendy, this was a good one by Mansell. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow too!
I really like Mansell’s work and agree that her characters are the best!
I hope your dad’s doing well, Dar.
Kathy, her books and characters are always great. She has such a good imagination and humor. Dad’s doing pretty well – thanks for asking after him.
I just finished this one too!, and even though it was not hard to keep track of all the characters, at times I wanted more time with a few and could have done without the others. But overall it was another great read by this author.
Nise, I always feel like that with my favorite characters – that I want more but still I enjoyed everyone’s stories too.
Sounds like a wonderful story!
Thanks for the review!
Melissa, it is a great story!
I have only read one Mansell book, but I loved it, and this one sounds really good as well. It kind of reminds me of Falling Together, but it has a different sort of plot. Maybe a cross between that one and Where We Belong. Excellent review today, Dar! I am going to seek this one out!
Heather, you should read more of her books. They are such a great getaway from life. That’s what I love most about them.
no need to convince me. I just love Jill’s books!
Serena, I know you really enjoy her books too. This one was great as all of hers are!
I adore Jill Mansell and have read most of her novels. I was thrilled when I saw she has another one debuting. It’s on my list and I cannot wait!
Connie, I have quite a few of her novels to catch up so that’s lucky for me!
Twin reviews today 🙂
I do love Mansell
LOL Linda. Me too!
I love Jill!!! Her books always leave me happy and satisfied…what more could I want??? Loved your revview!
Me too Staci! She’s a fantastic writer!
I always love the covers of her books. I would love to have them as big full-size posters. The writing is not bad either ha ha
I always enjoy Mansell’s writing and her cast of characters. glad this lives up to her legacy and that you loved it!
I’ll be starting this one soon and can’t wait. You’re right that Mansell’s characters are fantastic and they do seem like friends by the time you finish the book. Great review, as always!