Dorothy Koomson - My Best Friend's Girl

[Michelle]

Synopsis

What would you do for the friend who broke your heart? Best friends Kamryn Matika and Adele Brannon thought nothing could come between them - until Adele did the unthinkable and slept with Kamryn's fiance, Nate. Worse still, she got pregnant and had his child. When Kamryn discovered the truth about their betrayal she vowed never to see any of them again. Two years later, Kamryn receives a letter from Adele asking her to visit her in hospital. Adele is dying and begs Kamryn to adopt her daughter, Tegan. With a great job and a hectic social life, the last thing Kamryn needs is a five year old to disrupt things. Especially not one who reminds her of Nate. But with no one else to take care of Tegan and Adele fading fast, does she have any other choice? So begins a difficult journey that leads Kamryn towards forgiveness, love, responsibility and, ultimately, a better understanding of herself.

 

This is part of the 'Richard and Judy Summer Read 2006', and was the only one in their list that caught my eye. And I'm glad it did.. I loved every minute, and it's a real page turner.

 

If there's one criticism, it's that there's not much 'depth'.. the author lays it all out for you. But, she does have a really good understanding of emotions, and the way we sometimes fail to communicate how we really feel.

 

It was also a very honest book.. part of the story is the main characters relationship with 2 men, but it wasn't a straight-forward romantic tale, but rather seemed to reflect how complicated real life can be.

[Janet]

That sounds like a good read.

 

*groans* Another one for my Wishlist!

[Lilywhite]

I am looking out for this one. As it is on R&J no doubt my local library will be flooded with them all summer. I'm actually interested in quite a few they recommended this time..... lucky me

[Michelle]

The librarian was quite disappointed because when I took it back, someone else had requested it! (I got in quick with my request!)

[Lilywhite]

My local library seems to go OTT with any book recommended by R&J, there are still about 25 copies of the Sixth Lamentation and A Gathering Light sitting on shelves around, but trying to get hold of other books is very difficult when they have only 2 copies for the whole county.

 

Still, my want to read pile is big enough for me to wait a while I think

[Esiotrot]

3/4 of the way through this book and am absolutley loving it ~ you def. need tissues to read this one!

Interested to hear how any other opinions on it?

[mrstrecool]

Bought this yesterday. I'm really looking forward to reading it, think I'll have to bump it to the top of my TBR pile.

[Angel]

This one is on my TBR pile and I can't wait to start it

[mrstrecool]

I've just finished this and really enjoyed it. It was sad but heartwarming at the same time. I really liked the characters so was interested in what happened to them. Highly recommended-my Mum wants to nick it off me now!

[Kate]

Here is my review:

 

Synopsis from Amazon:

What would you do for the friend who broke your heart? Best friends Kamryn Matika and Adele Brannon thought nothing could come between them - until Adele did the unthinkable and slept with Kamryn's fiance, Nate. Worse still, she got pregnant and had his child. When Kamryn discovered the truth about their betrayal she vowed never to see any of them again. Two years later, Kamryn receives a letter from Adele asking her to visit her in hospital. Adele is dying and begs Kamryn to adopt her daughter, Tegan. With a great job and a hectic social life, the last thing Kamryn needs is a five year old to disrupt things. Especially not one who reminds her of Nate. But with no one else to take care of Tegan and Adele fading fast, does she have any other choice? So begins a difficult journey that leads Kamryn towards forgiveness, love, responsibility and, ultimately, a better understanding of herself.

Meet Ryn, an independent woman, who works long hours and parties hard. Living in Leeds, she tries to distance herself from her past and the life she could have had. Two years before she discovered her best friend Adele and her fiance Nate slept together - the result being Adele's child Tegan. Swearing to never see or speak to either again, Ryn is shocked when she discovers a birthday card from Adele telling her she is dying. After rushing to London, she realises what Adele's dying wish is - that Kamryn adopts Tegan. This completely changes her life. She tracks down Tegan at Adele's father's house, in a shocking state, and leaves with her. When Adele dies, Ryn faces a long struggle alone. She battles with adjusting her life, getting Tegan to trust her, grief, love, Nate and the issue of adoption.

This is the first Dorothy Koomson book I have read and I really enjoyed it. I was drawn in emotionally and didn't want to put the book down. What Ryn did deserves a medal - she took in Tegan, having not seen her for two years, even though she reminded her of why she left London and why she hurt so much. I loved Tegan, what a beautiful little girl. My heart ached when we first met her and saw the abuse she had suffered, and when she cried for her Mum, yet she was a bubbly and warm girl who you couldn't help but fall in love with.

There are so many issues in this book, and Koomson dealt with them all wonderfully. Death, child abuse, adoption, race and love. I didn't feel let down by the way she wrote these issues, nor how the story turned out. I think Koomson did a superb job.

This is a heart-warming and touching book. I could have cried throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

9/10

[Inver]

On my shelf and I am reading Marshmallows for Breakfast at the moment.

[lexiepiper]

I have this and Marshmallows for Breakfast on my TBR, I really should get around to them!