What the back says...
Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She's single for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is a serious relationship.
Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he's charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun. Joe on the other hand is kind and attractive, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.
Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, but is it what she needs to be truly happy? It's about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.
This is the first Carole Matthews book I have read and it certainly won't be the last. I can't believe I haven't discovered her before as this is the type of book that I love. Now, there are many things I really enjoyed about this book, firstly, being a girl from the Buzzard it was great to have a story based in an area so close to home. Secondly, the lead character Ruby, could have been any one of my friends. In fact, her whole story could have been based on very close friends of mine. Lastly, as a Take That fan since the age of 14 this was a joy to read.
The other positive from this book for me is it wasn't about a young twenty something in the first throes of love, Ruby is a woman in her thirties with a failed marriage behind her starting again. She has left a steady successful job with the council to become a waitress in a busy pub. Did the ultimate female thing in times of change by cutting and colouring her hair and, after attending a few gigs, realised that the only dependable man in the world is her cardboard cut out of Gary Barlow. Through the book we follow Ruby's new hobbies and new men in her life and the ups and downs that come with her new situation.
Like I said above, Ruby could be one of my friends, having known people go through similar situations to her. I really enjoyed the authors writing style, it was light, funny, and positive. The lead character was very likeable and not written in a downbeat way but very uplifting. Even the life-affirming stage near the end of the book was done in such a positive way that you couldn't help but root for Ruby and what she was going to do next.
To wrap up, a fantastic read that kept me company over a quiet weekend and a look forward to reading more from Carole Matthews.