The Life You Left - by Carmel Harrington

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Sarah, I’m not coming home tonight.

If you love me, you will give me the space I need…

Tell the children I love them.

Paul

It started out like any other day for Sarah Lawler; getting the kids ready for school, making the pack lunches and juggling baby Ella’s feeds.

There was no way of knowing that her husband, Paul, would leave for work that morning and simply not come home.

Now the questions are piling up quicker than the unpaid bills and, unable to answer her children’s questions about where their Daddy is, Sarah is getting desperate.

But it turns out she isn’t quite as alone as she thought she was. When her beloved childhood friend, Edward, comes back into her life, Sarah thinks she’s finally been thrown a life line.

There’s just one problem with Edward: no one else can see him.

Edward is an angel. And he has a message for Sarah that will change her life and the lives of others forever. For it is only in the most difficult of times that Sarah can discover how strong

she truly is.

Set in a small coastal village on the beautiful Irish coast, The Life You Left is a story of redemption and the strength of love.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

I can’t tell you how excited I was to read this book! After I’ve read Carmel’s debut novel Beyond Grace’s Rainbow I just knew that Carmel is a special and unique author.

The story follows Sarah, a mum of three adorable children (Tommy, Katie and Ella) and wife to Paul.

Paul just leaves out of the blue at the start of this novel, without saying a word. Why did he leave?

And Sarah? Sarah is special, she can see an angel and dreams about real things that happen. The problem: Nobody believes her. Nobody except for her twin brother James.

I fell in love with James instantly, such a great and supportive brother… And their relationship is just great!

Sarah has to deal with a lot, there is Edward and nobody else can see him, now she has to take care of her three children alone and then Katie’s teacher dies. Sarah has weird dreams about that and together with James she tries to figure out with this is all about. They start investigating and thinking about the crime themselves.

For the children there is a lot to take in with their father gone and a dead teacher. They’re not really able to understand everything yet.

This story has everything: a mystery to solve, a woman going through problems in her marriage and trying to find love again, awesome supportive characters who are greatly involved and have their own little story to tell. It’s such an emotional, heart warming and touching read, I couldn’t put it down.

Carmel developed some wonderful characters and Sarah impressed me with her strength, power and courage. Her children were so cute and I adored they way she was there for her children, these scene were so full of love and just so sweet.

Edward fit in this story perfectly, being there for Sarah and helping her with her gift and all other things she had to go through.

I was crying and one point, then smiling again or both at the same time! Carmel’s writing is so real, honest and full of life. The atmosphere in this story is incredible and it made me never want to leave this world. Every little detail in this story is special and the epilogue – sweet…

Rating:

My passible cast:

Sarah: Kristen Bell

Paul: Ashton Kutcher

James: Benjamin McKenzie

Ruby: Evangeline Lilly

Carmel on Twitter: @happymrsh
Website: http://carmelharrington.com