What (am I currently reading)?

I am currently listening to the audio book The Man I Loved Before by Anna Mansell @AnnaMansell

Narrated by  Ella Lynch @narrator_ella

Blurb (from Amazon.co.uk)

‘Dear Ben, I can only write you this letter because I know you’ll never read it…’

When Jem writes to her ex Ben, it’s to explain everything. All the secrets she kept from him – from the little lies she’d sometimes tell about how new those shoes really were, or how many glasses of wine she’d had that evening… right up to The Big Thing that happened on the night that changed everything. But she never expects he will actually see what she’s written.

She is just writing because she thinks it will help to get the words out. Later, she resolves, she’ll burn the letter, and then the past will be in the past for good.

Because Jem is doing fine now. She’s busy: working, spending time with her best friend, and looking after her mother, who’s in remission from cancer. She’s even dating again and has just met a guy who she thinks she could actually fall for. At long last, Jem is really, definitely somewhere close to happy.

But her mum finds the letter and thinks she’s doing Jem a favour when she posts it to Ben. And Jem’s new, carefully rebuilt life begins to unravel in ways she could never have imagined. Then, when her mother gets ill again, she finds herself asking who has the key to her future. The man she’s falling in love with now? Or the man she loved before?

A heartbreaking, beautifully honest novel that will stay with readers long after they finish it. Perfect for fans of Diane Chamberlain, Amanda Prowse, and Susan Lewis.

Why (have I chosen to read it)?

I put it on my Audible Wish List because it had been recommended by many of my Twitter reading/writing community friends. 

Currently it has 6 ratings (on Audible.co.uk), and has scored 4.8 out of 5 – so I was influenced by the book needing more listeners, and the fact that those that have listened to it so far have loved it.

The story sounded perfect for listening to whilst I’m preparing the garden for winter’s deep snow.   I didn’t notice the “heartbreaking” part of the blurb until just now – but so far I’m enjoying the story and the great narration.  Sad in parts, but also chatty and fun.  Jem is a great character that is pulling me back into the garden so I can listen to more (I’m very strict with myself that I only listen to audio books when I’m gardening, exercising or ironing – my reward for doing something I’d rather not, but ought to)    

While (I  am reading it) 

This week the cat has gone into space!  I put my International Space Station LEGO model really high up, to keep it from being destroyed by the young and curious cat – it took me hours, over weeks, to build.    Seems nothing is out of her reach.

Not sure what she’s spotted – suggestions in the comments box below please! 

All the best, Emma of EmmabBooks.com

Ps:  If you’re interested in space, or the ISS, I recommend Endurance by Scott Kelly