Review by amandathebibliophile -- Looking Glass Friends
-
amandathebibliophile
- Posts: 588
- Joined: 25 Feb 2018, 20:18
- Currently Reading: The Fox
- Bookshelf Size: 158
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amandathebibliophile.html
- Latest Review: Short of Love by Martin Knox
Review by amandathebibliophile -- Looking Glass Friends
[Following is a volunteer review of "Looking Glass Friends" by E L Neve.]
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a romance novel about two married couples who are struggling in their relationships. Jake and Ellie are more focused on their five-year-old son than they are on keeping any semblance of romance alive. Neil and Fay do continue to have a physical relationship, but Neil is devoid of any real emotion for his wife.
Neil and Ellie first cross paths at the bakery where Neil works. He instantly sees something special in her, even giving the last of the cream puffs (reserved for his wife) to Ellie’s son instead. In return, Ellie buys him a copy of her favorite book, “Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand. The book reinvigorates Neil, and helps him to find purpose in his life again. When he returns the book to Ellie, he includes a brief letter. This initiates a close friendship that involves regular correspondence by email, letter, and eventually phone calls. The two begin to see themselves as soulmates. Eventually, Jake and Fay begin to ask questions. This only prompts Neil and Ellie to become more discreet and furtive in their communication, because neither wants to end their communication. The reader begins to wonder whether this is more than mere friendship, and indeed, if the two are becoming totally consumed by one another.
The author rightfully won a number of awards for this book, as the vividness with which the characters are portrayed is quite special. The writing style is poignant and easily captures the “soul” or essence of each character. The relationship between Ellie and Neil jumps off the page and the reader will find him or herself quickly becoming immersed. I additionally find it intriguing that the author’s pen name for the story, E.L. Neve, is actually an anagram that the author states is “a clue” to events that occurred in real life.
My favorite part of the book is probably the degree of imagination the author put into the character development. I quickly found my heartstrings being pulled, while feeling the intensity of emotions from all the characters involved in this “love square,” if you will. I felt bad for Fay and Jake (especially Fay, to be honest), and yet, as the author possibly intended, I still wanted Ellie and Neil’s relationship to go on. Lovers of romance novels will definitely get their money’s worth with this one! Although, sensitive readers should be aware: there is some degree of profanity spread throughout, as well as light sexual content.
I found very few errors in this book, and for me, none that detracted from the story. The story was generally super well-written, and I’d be hard pressed to give it anything less than 4 out of 4 stars. As mentioned, I recommend it to lovers of the romance genre.
******
Looking Glass Friends
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a romance novel about two married couples who are struggling in their relationships. Jake and Ellie are more focused on their five-year-old son than they are on keeping any semblance of romance alive. Neil and Fay do continue to have a physical relationship, but Neil is devoid of any real emotion for his wife.
Neil and Ellie first cross paths at the bakery where Neil works. He instantly sees something special in her, even giving the last of the cream puffs (reserved for his wife) to Ellie’s son instead. In return, Ellie buys him a copy of her favorite book, “Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand. The book reinvigorates Neil, and helps him to find purpose in his life again. When he returns the book to Ellie, he includes a brief letter. This initiates a close friendship that involves regular correspondence by email, letter, and eventually phone calls. The two begin to see themselves as soulmates. Eventually, Jake and Fay begin to ask questions. This only prompts Neil and Ellie to become more discreet and furtive in their communication, because neither wants to end their communication. The reader begins to wonder whether this is more than mere friendship, and indeed, if the two are becoming totally consumed by one another.
The author rightfully won a number of awards for this book, as the vividness with which the characters are portrayed is quite special. The writing style is poignant and easily captures the “soul” or essence of each character. The relationship between Ellie and Neil jumps off the page and the reader will find him or herself quickly becoming immersed. I additionally find it intriguing that the author’s pen name for the story, E.L. Neve, is actually an anagram that the author states is “a clue” to events that occurred in real life.
My favorite part of the book is probably the degree of imagination the author put into the character development. I quickly found my heartstrings being pulled, while feeling the intensity of emotions from all the characters involved in this “love square,” if you will. I felt bad for Fay and Jake (especially Fay, to be honest), and yet, as the author possibly intended, I still wanted Ellie and Neil’s relationship to go on. Lovers of romance novels will definitely get their money’s worth with this one! Although, sensitive readers should be aware: there is some degree of profanity spread throughout, as well as light sexual content.
I found very few errors in this book, and for me, none that detracted from the story. The story was generally super well-written, and I’d be hard pressed to give it anything less than 4 out of 4 stars. As mentioned, I recommend it to lovers of the romance genre.
******
Looking Glass Friends
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Short of Love by Martin Knox
