I had never read Cecilia Ahern's books before, but had just watched
the movie made from her first novel, the best seller P.S. I Love
You. I totally loved the fairy tale quality of it. A definite chick
flick.
Justin Hitchcock has moved to England to be closer to his daughter,
after he and her mother divorced. He travels to Ireland to work as
a guest lecturer at Trinity College. It is there that he is
persuaded to donate blood for the first time.
Back in England, Joyce Conway suffers a serious fall that results
in a hospital stay. She needs a blood transfusion. Joyce starts
having memories of things that have never happened to her. Hmm -
see where this is going?
I enjoyed the characters of Joyce and her friends. They came across
as realistic. I was not so taken with the character of Justin.
Although he is the 'romantic' lead in the story, I just never
really bought it. I found him to be rude and boorish and he just
never redeemed himself in my eyes. But it is Joyce's father Henry
who steals the show. He is a the only parent Joyce has left. He is
elderly and set in his ways. He has never travelled much beyond his
neighbourhood. His views on just about everything provide laughter
but tears as well. This is the character I engaged with the most.
The dedication in the front of the books is to her grandparents and
includes photographs. I could see her Grandfather Ahern as Henry