The One We Fell In Love With.. by Paige Toon

Its that time again - Paige Toon has recently released her newest book and I've finally got my hands on it. It arrived at my house yesterday afternoon and here I am writing my review less than 24 hours later! Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know that I love all of Paige's stories and wait eagerly every May for a new release - The One We Fell in Love With did not disappoint..

What the blurb says:

PHEOBE is caught between a rock and a hard place. Settle down and get married, or return to the French Alps to pursue her passion?

ELIZA is in love with someone who is no longer hers. In fact, he probably never was... And her dream of becoming a successful musician seems to be vanishing before her eyes.

ROSE is out of a job and out of a boyfriend. To make matters worse, she's been forced to move back in with her mother...

But these very different girls have one thing in common. ANGUS. The one they fell in love with...


What I thought:

I've always really enjoyed reading Paige's books and this one is no exception. My favourites of hers are mostly the earlier of her collection but this one has really jumped up to top three!

One thing the blurb doesn't mention is that Pheobe, Eliza and Rose are identical triplets, and Angus is the boy who moved in next door when they were teenagers. The story is set when they're adults but there are a few flash backs so the reader can gain a bit of perspective and understanding..

As one of four sisters, I love reading stories that show that dynamic and Paige has done it really honestly. I can't ever imagine being so connected to another person the way a twin/triplet would be but even just being a sister, I understand the bond and connection that these girls feel toward each other. I really liked the fact that they fought, argued, probably even hate each other at moments, but you always know that they love each other and will be there for one another - exactly like real sisters!

Angus is a lovely character and maybe one of my favourite guys in Paige's extensive collection. He's a real honest guy and only wants to do best by everyone in his life. Usually when there is a love triangle (or in this case, square) in a book I'm reading, the guy can be quite cocky and really play up knowing that there is more than one woman swooning over him - but Angus was sort of oblivious, and when knowing, was respectful and kind. I really found myself rooting for him to be happy!

Now, the real grittiness.. Throughout the promotion of The One We Fell in Love With and on Paige's Twitter, Facebook etc, I kept seeing people talking about IT. When things like that happen I'm usually rolling my eyes a little bit because 'how can something be that much of  a surprise?' I know, quite cynical of me. But with this story I was really eating my words, I was SHOCKED. Never has Paige got me with a twist the way she did this time. I was literally on my last chapter before bed, then it happened and I knew there was no way I was going to sleep any time soon. I ended up staying awake until 3am finishing it - that's how impossible to put down this story is!

As you can probably tell from all the gushing, I really loved The One We Fell in Love With. I enjoy all of Paige's stories but this is the first in a few that has really left me gobsmacked and wanting to go straight back in a read it all over again! I'll be handing it straight over to my sister for her turn and she loves this collection as much as I do..

Have you read The One We Fell in Love With? If so, let me know what you thought! You can buy it here. Make sure to follow Paige on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also subscribe to her newsletter The Hidden Paige, for previews and competitions!

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

The Sun In Her Eyes.. by Paige Toon

I've reviewed a few of Paige's books on here before and since she has released her new novel, The Sun In Her Eyes, I thought it was only appropriate for me to review it. Paige Toon is one of only a few authors that I will pre-order their new books and sit patiently waiting on the post man for.

Here's what the blurb says:

Blinding sunshine... A bend in the road... What became of the little girl with the sun in her eyes?
Amber was three when a car crash stole her mother's life. She doesn't remember the accident, but a stranger at the scene has been unable to forget. Now, almost thirty years later, she's trying to track Amber down.

Amber, meanwhile, is married to Ned and living on the other side of the world in London. When her father has a stroke, she flies straight home to Australia to be with him. Away from her husband, Amber finds comfort in her oldest friends, but her feelings for Ethan, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she once fell for, have never been platonic.

As Ethan and Amber grow closer, married life in London feels very far away. Then Amber receives a letter that changes everything.


Here's what I thought: 

Well its no surprise really that I loved this book by Paige as I love all of the stuff that she writes. One of my favourite things about Paige's stories is that the characters are usually based in more than one city and love to travel - as someone who loves to travel and especially loves Australia (where most of The Sun In Her Eyes is based) I love the idea that I could be living the life of a Paige Toon novel.

Amber's story is one that I think everyone will be able to relate to in some way as the story is so diverse and has so many different dimensions to it, Whether its her relationship with her dad, her husband or her friends - most people will understand the struggles.

The mystery behind what Amber's mother told the stranger before she died is one that you forget a little bit about until half way through which is when Amber receives a letter. When they both finally meet and Amber learns what her mother said is moment of true unexpectedness - you really aren't prepared for what it is. So many theories are thrown about that when you do find out, you realise that you never even considered that possibility.

Amber's relationship with both Ned and Ethan kept me hooked the whole way through. Having a love triangle is common in chick lit novels but Paige found a way to make this one unique and stand out so that the reader wouldn't be bored. Not knowing who or where Amber would end up is what made me devour this story in one sitting.

And in true Paige Toon fashion there was a character that we've met before - Josh from Pictures of Lily! Paige always incorporates a previous character into her new stories, sometimes in minor roles, sometimes as prominent characters.

You guys can check out The Sun In Her Eyes here. Make sure to follow Paige on Twitter and learn about her other books on her website.

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Thirteen Weddings.. by Paige Toon

Paige Toon is definitely one of my ALL TIME favourite authors - the excitement that overcomes me when I receive her newest releases in the post is embarrassing. I even read The Longest Holiday in one 6 hour sitting. Yeah, they're that good. I can't quite put my finger on what it is that's so special about Paige to me but I think its because her writing is so beautiful, and her characters live lives that I would die to have (Meg Stiles, anyone?). I actually finished Thirteen Weddings a while ago but immediately lent it to my sister and only got it back recently - I like to skim read again before reviewing.

I could literally babble on and on and on and on (!!!) all day about my love for Paige's novels but today its all about Bronte and Thirteen Weddings.

Here's what the blurb says:

Last year, Bronte left Sydney for a wedding in England, where she met newly single Alex. After a night of passion they parted ways, and Bronte returned to Australia.

 Now working on a picture desk for a magazine in London, Bronte is about to meet her new colleague, who turns out to be all too familiar. Although awkward at first, as Alex is now engaged to the girl he was on a break from when they met, they soon become friends.

 But as the two get closer, and the wedding day looms, it is clear that Alex and Bronte have unfinished business...

Here's what I thought:

From the outset when Bronte meets Alex and the beginning of their story unfolds, I was instantly rooting for Alex and Bronte to make it. However, a year later when Bronte comes across Alex again and their lives are completely different to the first night they met - Bronte decides its time to let go and move on. Give up. Bronte begins working part time as a wedding photographer and meets a certain Australian singer, Lachie, who brings out Alex's jealousy - making him question his choices.

Bronte wants nothing from either men but, in typical Paige fashion, things don't go to plan and nothing in life is as simple as you might hope. With lots of laughs, and a few tears, Thirteen Weddings is Paige at her absolute best. She writes warm, witty characters and has an easy, laid-back writing style that is easy to fall in step with.

Not only is this story based around the love of a couple (or multiple), there is also the theme of friendship running throughout. A minor story is of Bronte's friend who battles with alcoholism, showcasing the different emotions and trauma that Bronte feels as a helpless bystander. There is also the mysterious story surrounding Bronte's family permanently looming in the background and only towards the end when you find it out do you understand why it is so ironic that Bronte, who hates churches, loves being a wedding photographer. A nice little twist to spice things up without taking away from the main story of Bronte, Alex and Lachie.

As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this newest release of Paige - another fantastic novel to add to an ever growing list of captivating from one of chick lits finest writers of the moment. A must read for everyone who adores Paige as much as I do.

You can buy Thirteen Weddings here as well as at most good bookstores. Check out Paige's website to learn about her other novels and follow her on Twitter.