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The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Kroomson (Sphere)
Libby Rabvena, a beautician, first meets solicitor Jack Britchum when she is buying a car and soon loses her cool over his arrogant behaviour. But Jack is intrigued by Libby's "tell it like it is" fiery attitude and starts pursuing her persistently.
Six months later, the two are smitten, and as she discovers more about him, Libby learns that Jack uses his arrogance to mask his grief over the death of his first wife, Eve.
Jack has never experienced such intense intimacy with a woman since Eve's death and soon proposes to Libby, who, despite her rightful misgivings, agrees and settles down into what seems like an ideal life. But then a dreadful car accident, leaves Libby traumatized and reignites Jack's greatest fear of losing the woman he loves…
The couple struggle to get back into the daily rhythm of their life together – Libby makes a heartbreaking, but important discovery and feels more distant from Jack, who blames himself for the tragedy.
Dorothy Koomson treats her characters with such tenderness that I couldn’t help but feel a sense of empathy towards each of them. The chapters are written from the perspective of each of its characters, but it really is the interaction between Libby and Eve that is gripping – Jack is almost sidelined by their haunting connection, as profound and startling truths emerge.
The subtle complexities of human nature are revealed through each character: Libby's craving to understand her mysterious husband, Jack's boundaries created to protect himself from the vulnerability of loving, and the Eve's desperate attempts to hide a sinister secret that could devastate Jack.
The Woman He Loved Before is an absorbing, heart-warming novel, which is spurred on more by delicate interplay between Libby and Eve, than by any notable action. I must say, though, that while the novel is delectable and the characters are beautifully flawed, the ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I had hoped – it certainly leaves room for a sequel should Koomson decide to follow up this wonderful, tragic and touching story.
Keen on reading this book? Click here to either review the book or purchase your own copy.
Fan of Dorothy Kroomson's work? Which of her books are your favourite?
Sign up for women24's book club newsletter and stand a chance to win our top ten books from Kalahari.net
Libby Rabvena, a beautician, first meets solicitor Jack Britchum when she is buying a car and soon loses her cool over his arrogant behaviour. But Jack is intrigued by Libby's "tell it like it is" fiery attitude and starts pursuing her persistently.
Six months later, the two are smitten, and as she discovers more about him, Libby learns that Jack uses his arrogance to mask his grief over the death of his first wife, Eve.
Jack has never experienced such intense intimacy with a woman since Eve's death and soon proposes to Libby, who, despite her rightful misgivings, agrees and settles down into what seems like an ideal life. But then a dreadful car accident, leaves Libby traumatized and reignites Jack's greatest fear of losing the woman he loves…
The couple struggle to get back into the daily rhythm of their life together – Libby makes a heartbreaking, but important discovery and feels more distant from Jack, who blames himself for the tragedy.
Dorothy Koomson treats her characters with such tenderness that I couldn’t help but feel a sense of empathy towards each of them. The chapters are written from the perspective of each of its characters, but it really is the interaction between Libby and Eve that is gripping – Jack is almost sidelined by their haunting connection, as profound and startling truths emerge.
The subtle complexities of human nature are revealed through each character: Libby's craving to understand her mysterious husband, Jack's boundaries created to protect himself from the vulnerability of loving, and the Eve's desperate attempts to hide a sinister secret that could devastate Jack.
The Woman He Loved Before is an absorbing, heart-warming novel, which is spurred on more by delicate interplay between Libby and Eve, than by any notable action. I must say, though, that while the novel is delectable and the characters are beautifully flawed, the ending wasn't quite as satisfying as I had hoped – it certainly leaves room for a sequel should Koomson decide to follow up this wonderful, tragic and touching story.
Keen on reading this book? Click here to either review the book or purchase your own copy.
Fan of Dorothy Kroomson's work? Which of her books are your favourite?
Sign up for women24's book club newsletter and stand a chance to win our top ten books from Kalahari.net
