SYNOPSIS:
A SUMMER SHE WILL REMEMBER FOREVER. BECAUSE HE WON'T LET HER FORGET . . . 'The ending is heart stopping' Reader Review Escape to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Como in the irresistible and gripping new novel from
the million-copy bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park, The Anniversary and The Lie Connie McCabe longs for the summer where she spends the days leading tours across Europe. But it's on the glamorous shores of Lake Como where she is truly swept away, when Jared, a much younger man, falls for her. Despite resisting his advances Connie finds that he's got under her skin. And so begins a long, hot, intoxicating summer where Connie succumbs and breaks her marriage vows. At the end of the season Connie returns home to her husband, wanting to put this affair behind her. But Jared has other ideas . . .
MY THOUGHTS:
This book gave me chills...Connie, a tour host, is used to dealing with awkward passengers but gets more than she bargains for when she meets Jared, who is accompanying his elderly godmother on the tour. Connie's marriage has hit a rough patch, her husband Devan, a recently retired GP, is finding it hard to get into the rhythm of his retirement especially when his wife is still touring and spending days / weeks away from home. This depression eats into their marriage and makes them start to drift apart. So when Jarad compliments Connie with praise and attention, Connie finds herself drawn to him, giving in to her initial desires.
When the tour finishes Connie is relieved to say goodbye to Jared, believing that she will never see him again. Although, Jared has other ideas, he seems to appear as if by magic during her other tours and so their steamy relationship continues. Guilt ridden Connie ends it with Jared but just when she begins to put thoughts of the affair behind her Jared suddenly appears again and his infatuation with Connie becomes apparent. Can Connie get rid of Jared and repair her marriage or has the damage already been imbedded?
The Affair was a real page-turner and as Jared's behaviour became more and more creepy I became increasingly worried for Connie. What a situation to be in! I loved that the characters were mostly older than 50 and the setting was perfect. Living in Somerset I fully appreciated the places that were mentioned and it made the storyline feel homely and realistic. The beautiful description, of the European places Connie visited, painted visual images in my head and made me feel I was experiencing my own summer holiday. After the year we have had through COVID it was a breath of fresh air reading about the picturesque Lake Como and the cultured Venice, to name just a few.
The tension mounted as Jared's behaviour become more sporadic and his presence always there, even when he wasn't physically. My heart wept for Connie when she was parted from her family during the festive time and although I knew Jared was always hidden in the shadows I was not prepared for THAT ending! A thoroughly enjoyable read. Many thanks to Jennifer Breslin at Michael Joseph Penguin for my gifted copy and Hilary Boyd for another gripping read.
AUTHOR:
Hilary Boyd was a nurse, marriage counsellor and ran a small cancer charity before becoming an author. She has written eight books, including Thursdays in the Park, her debut novel which sold over half a million copies and was an international bestseller. The film rights have been acquired by Charles Dance, who will be directing and starring.