Unless you are new to my blog, you’ll be aware of the fact that I absolutely adore this author and have loved each of her books. Samantha Tonge sprinkles a little of her own experience into each of her books, and I delighted to enjoy them. When she posts her videos on Social Media, I always watch and usually feel better for doing so. If you’d like to read a couple of my earlier reviews, you can follow these links: Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage and When We Were Friends.
I’m grateful to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for the blog tour invite and to Boldwood Books for providing my digital review copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.
Synopsis
Meet Tilda Wright…
Tilda has done everything she can to make her life neat, protected, tidy. No longer the girl who was scared of everything, whose family pushed her away, who hit rock bottom. Now she runs her life – as she does her successful business – with the utmost organization. As long as she keeps everyone at arm’s length, she will be fine. She will be safe.
But then a chance encounter with a man who’s fallen on hard times changes everything. Milo needs a break, and self-contained Tilda surprises herself by deciding she should help him. Just for a while. A few days at the most.
Maybe all he needs is someone to organize him, to help him clean up his act? She is sure she knows how to kick-start Milo into turning his life around.
What Tilda doesn’t know is that – with this single act of kindness – it might actually be her own life that’s about to change forever…
Review
This marvellous book introduces us to two souls unaware that they may be about to arrive at a crossroads in their lives. Neat freak and strict follower of routine, Tilda is moved to help the rough-sleeping Milo after she sees him hit his own personal rock bottom. Nothing about her decision makes sense to either Tilda or me as a reader, but stick with it, as all will eventually be revealed.
I understood Tilda’s need for routine, as it is an easy mechanism to adopt in order to regain control. Naturally, she tries to share the methods that have helped her; he’d be daft not to want the peace and routine she enjoys. Well, experiences rather than enjoys.
Milo, on the other hand, is more relaxed. He subscribes to a different approach to controlling his demons and hopes that Tilda will open her mind to alternative options. However, he is grateful to have been rescued from living rough and to be able to rely on regular meals.
There is a limited cast of characters, from shy neighbour Anushka to Tilda’s team of cleaners, who all contribute to the success of her business. For me, though, it was her footballer brother Logan with his daughter Riley who truly captured my imagination.
I knew that this book would be a powerful read because I’ve seen Sam’s writing evolve with each book. She shares an unusually candid honesty that allows us to glimpse deeper into her personal life with each book. I didn’t anticipate this book would rip off the proverbial band-aid and offer a front-row seat into her personal struggles. Social media has provided a recent platform where this author has spoken about self-care and the restorative power of mindfulness. There’s also been some baked goodies to admire.
I urge you to read and enjoy this book. It absolutely resonated with me, and I genuinely benefited from reading it. It is created with depth, understanding, and a considerable volume of honesty. Sam, I salute you.
Author Bio
Samantha Tonge is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 15 romantic fiction titles published by HQ, and most recently Aria. Her first book for Boldwood, Under One Roof, was published in February 2022 and her move to Boldwood marks a broadening of her writing into multi-generational woman’s fiction. She lives in Manchester with her family.
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