The Lost Wife – by Anna Mansell

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

How do you live without the one you love?

Since Rachel lost her mother she has drifted through life, never settling down. Then she meets Ed, recently widowed and with a new baby, and is compelled to help him and his son.

Ed is struggling to cope, and his friends and family all tiptoe around his grief. Rachel is the only one who sees him as more than just a widower, and the pair soon grow close.

Then Rachel discovers something Ed’s wife was hiding from him – something that changes everything. But she knows that memories of lost loved ones are precious, and should be protected at all costs…

Can Rachel help Ed learn to live in a world where his wife is no longer around to tell her side of the story? And can Ed help Rachel to finally open her heart to a happy future?

My Opinion:

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

This stunning book blew me away, I couldn’t put it down.

It’s divided into three parts. In the first part we get introduce to the two main characters. There is Rachel, who lost her mother and works at a nursery. She lives with her best friend Mo. She has not found her place yet, so she goes through a real journey in this book. Ed recently lost his wife and has a son. Ed’s brother Simon was driving the car, when Ellie (his wife died). This makes things a bit complicated.

The second part is dedicated to the moment when Rachel and Ed meet and everything that happens after. Ed takes has baby son Oli to the nursery, where Rachel works. The grow close very quickly, because Rachel is the only one who sees more than just the widower and she went through something similar. After a while Rachel discovers something about Ed’s wife’s accident and doesn’t know what do do about it. This calls for a lot of drama and Anna Mansell’s writing has a real talent to include all this in the storyline. I was hooked from the start. I really liked Ed and Rachel getting to know each other and with the little Oli in between, there were just so many little sparks.

Part three happens a few years later, a lot has changed. We finally find out the truth about Ed’s brother and Rachel has changed her life completely.

This book has everything! It’s very emotional, touching and moving! It’s about loss, grief, love, family, strength, friendship, life and much more. Anna Mansell has captured it all beautifully and created a magnificent story.

Rachel and Ed took turns narrating, which I really liked. Some chapters also end in a very interesting way and the other person just takes over telling us his/her way. This added a lot of great tension to the story and made it really exciting. Both characters are really authentic and well lined out.

I couldn’t put this book down! I liked, how it was structured and the storyline always had a great flow. I couldn’t recommend this enough, definitely not your usual chick-lit and I totally mean that in a positive way!

Rating:

Anna Mansell on Twitter: @AnnaMansell Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Fashion Corner - Lace Crop Top

Welcome to today's Fashion Corner under the motto "Lace Crop Top". This one os from Toyshop, I bought it last year. 

I have combined the lace crop top with some jeans from Jack Wills, I rolled them up. The shoes are from Contesa. The sunglasses are from A.J. Morgan, I bought them at Nordstrom. 

- Shirt: Topshop (similar)

- Jeans: Jack Wills

- Shoes: Contesa

- Sunglasses: AJ. Morgan (Nordstrom)

50 Questions You've Never Been Asked

Here is another fun post I found over on Danielle’s blog: Underland to Wonderful. This might take a while, but it looked like a lot of fun, so here we go.

What's your favourite candle scent?

My absolute favourite ist he cucumber scent from Anthropologie, it’s fresh,not too strong and since I’m addicted to cucumbers it’s the perfect scent for a room. It’s also not too sweet, which is good, because I don’t like sweet scented candles.

Which female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

Emma Watson! I can’t really say why, but she was the first one, who came to mind, I have always liked her and I think we’d get along really well. Or Lucy Hale, she is great!

Which male celebrity do you wish was your brother?

I’m gonna go with Aaron Tveit. I have always wanted a big brother, someone who likes music like me and a brother, who is like my best friend. I think Aaron would be the perfect one.

Do you know a hoarder?

Yes, she collects everything. Magazines, programmes, newspaper articles etc. I really don’t know where she puts all these things.  

Can you do the splits?

I used to.

How old were you when you learnt to ride a bike?

Probably around 4 or 5. It’s definitely before I went to kindergarten, I remember that it was on your small street, but not sure how old I actually was.

How many oceans have you swam in?

Only the Atlantic but off the coast of a few different countries!

How many countries have you visited?

England, Wales, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland (obviously), America, Hungary and probably some others I can’t think of at the moment.                                                                                  

Soon: Portugal, Belgium.

Is anyone in your family in the army?

No.

What would you name your daughter if you had one?

Elena! It’s actually not my official middle name, my mom always liked it though and wanted to add it, she never did though. I really like the name.

What would you name your son if you had one?

Being a teacher doesn’t make that question easier. Certain names are a no-go for us. I’d probably go with something Italian.

What's the worst grade you got on a test?

A 1.7, for a homework I didn’t do properly in middle school. In Switzerland 1 is the worst grade and 6 is the best.

What was your favourite TV show as a kid?

There were some yes, all of them German or Swiss, or of course translated. The ones I still remember are: Tigerenten Club, Pfefferkörner, Schloss Einstein, Wickie und die starken Männer, Bibbi Blocksberg, Simsala Grimm, Die Kinder vom Alstertal, Kim Possible, Kickers and Pokemon (with my brother) etc. I used to watch a channel called kika all the time, they only did stuff for childern.

What did you dress up as on Halloween, when you were 8?

I didn’t dress up. Halloween wasn’t big here n Switzerland when I was 8 years old.

Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight books?

All of the Harry Potter books of course, it’s why I love reading so much now. I also read the Twilight books.

Would you rather have an American accent or English accent?

Hmmm, I kind of have a mixture now, because I studied and learned the language in the UK as well as Canada. I don’t like the extreme American accent, definitely prefer the English accent.

Did your mother go to university?

No, she did an apprenticeship at a bank and worked there and also git the proficiency diploma in English. She now teaches English and Italian.

Are your grandparents still married?

I lost my „nonno“ last year, nonna is still alive and they were married until he died. My grandparents on my dad’s side died 10 and 5 years ago, but they were still married too.

Have you ever taken Karate lessons?

No!

Do you know who Kermit the frog is?

I do yes, never really liked him though ;).

What's the first amusement park you went to?

Disneyland World Orlando, 1991.

What language, besides your native language would you like to be fluent in?

I’m fluent in French, Italian and English. My native language is German. I’d love to be fluent in Spanish.

Do you spell the colour grey or gray?

Grey.

Is your father bald?

No.

Do you know triplets?

No.

Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?

The Notebook!

Have you ever had Indian food?

Yes, it’s not my fave, but I still liked it.

What's the name of your favourite restaurant?

Hiltl.

Have you ever been to Nando's?

No!

Do you belong to any warehouse stores?

I don't know what that means.

What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?

Luca or Matteo.

If you have a nickname, what is it?

It used to be Simi or Sims. Then skydreamer, but now everyone calls me Simona.

Would you rather live in the countryside or city?

In the suburbs somewhere.

Can you whistle?

I can, not with my fingers though.

Do you sleep with a night light?

No.

Do you eat breakfast every morning?

Yes, I do.

Do you take any pills or medication daily?

I do.

What medical condition do you have?

None.

How many times have you been to the hospital?

Once, to do an X-ray to check my jawbone. Other than that just to visit people.

Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?

Yes, of course.

Where do you buy your jeans?

Jack Wills, they are the best! I also have some from Zara and Guess.

What's the last compliment you got?

That I sing very well.

Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning?

Sometimes.

What flavour tea do you enjoy?

Ginger and lemon or a really fruity one.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Too many!

What religion will you raise your children to be?

Catholic.

How old where you when you found out Santa wasn't real?

Hmm, I don’t remember.

Why do you have a blog?

I started reading a lot four years ago and then I wrote down my thoughts, suddenly I started posting them on my blog. My blog is very different now though, not just a book blog like it used to be.

How old do you think you'll be when you get married?

Hmmm, over 30 probably.

Well, that took a while, but it’s a lot of fun and definitely questions you wouldn’t answer, normally. I tag everyone, who wants to do it.