From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes the poignant tale of a woman who has always been there for her family. But will they be there for her?
Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking … reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling.
Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years. But in the break from real life, Rae realises her choices have always been made for her, and suddenly she’s questioning not only her fragile marriage but also her one-sided friendships. Is she really the pushover everyone else sees?
When Howard comes looking for reconciliation, Rae has a choice to make: keep the peace, as she always has, or put herself first for once and find out who she really is.
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I found this to be an excellent read. It was well written, realistic with believable characters, for the most part, and an entertaining story from start to finish. This book had it all – romance, heartbreak, family stuff, marital issues.
Rae and Dolly have been friends from the age of sixteen and wound up sisters-in-law when Rae married Dolly’s brother Howard. Life was good; a successful family business, two healthy children, a beautiful home and lots of loving family around. But when Rae learns about her husband’s infidelity, from him on their wedding anniversary, all the world comes crashing down on her. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, but I strongly recommend this one. It was a really great read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a review copy. This is my honest opinion.
I have read a few of Amanda Prowse’s books and loved them. They usually bring out many emotions, many tears, for me. This one didn’t do that. It was good don’t get me wrong. But it was also just not the kind of book I would usually read. There was no connection for me to the characters.
Rae- Valentine let people make to many decisions for her that she should have made for herself. Especially after her husband of 25 years dropped a bomb in her lap on the night of said anniversary. I did not like him at all. I personally didn’t think he sounded sincere once he came to where Rae and Dolly, Howard’s loud sister, were on holiday. A holiday that was meant for Rae and Howard. He thought Rae would just forgive him that quickly… That is beyond belief in my opinion. Rae was a bit of a pushover though. She sorta of stood up to Dolly but then would back down again every time. She needed to tell them all where to go and how quick to get there. I would have respected her way more if she would have stood up to Howard and Dolly more. Then to find out that Dolly who was her best friend since the young age of 16 knew the secret, or part of it, that Howard was keeping, made her even more of a jerk. Even though Howard was her brother, Rae was her very best friend and deserved more respect from her.
Then something happens that is sad, that part did make me cry, and Rae decides it’s time to get over the anger and forgive Howard. It’s not been that long by the way. But of course she finds out more things and then she decides it may be time for her to do things that she has always wanted to do. But will she? You’ll have to read the book to find out but I have to say I gained a bit of respect for her near the end. The way she interacted with her children, especially her daughter’s new love, gave me hope for Rae. That her sister, Debbie-Jo was very self centered and totally thought the world centered around her. I didn’t like her either. The only one I liked a bit was Dolly. Dolly was loud and overwhelmening but she was herself. She didn’t play games most of the time. I think she truly thought she was protecting Rae-Valentine by keeping secrets.
I gave this book 3.5 stars only because it just didn’t keep me up reading or show the emotions that Amanda Prowe’s other novels have. I think it’s worth reading and do recommend you read it and judge for yourself. It was just not exactly my kind of story.
Thank you to NetGally, Amanda Prowse, Lakeside group, Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union for letting me read this in exchange for my very honest review.
This wasn’t my favorite book from this adored author. I wanted only the best for Rae and found myself hoping that she would find her sense of self. The other two main characters were wholly unlikable. Howard, from the blurb you just know he is a giant tool so no surprise that is exactly who he turned out to be. Then there is Dolly. I couldn’t stand her from the moment she was introduced. Pushy, loud, obnoxious under the guise of thinking everything is her business and a really awful friend.
A very enjoyable story about Rae-Valentine, whose comfortable life is turned upside-down when she discovers the truth about her husband. Will this girl in the corner be able to finally come out of the shadows?
This women’s fiction is an up and down emotional rollercoaster. It follows a woman through friendships and a presumably happy marriage only to find that so much of what she believed about herself wasn’t real. If you like reading about a woman finding strength and courage (and figure out her life) then you won’t regret this read!
Interesting, great ending!
The Girl in the Corner was beautifully written! I enjoyed the way that Rae was depicted, along with her friendship with Dolly and her relationships with her family. Rae and Dolly have been friends since they were sixteen. Rae married Dolly’s brother, Howard. Now, with grown children, the women are finding their way with their current relationship and the demands of everyone in their families. Rae finds out that Howard has betrayed her. The characters Rae and Dolly are depicted in an honest way. Author Amanda Prowse brings us Rae’s real life and real emotions as the storyline progresses. I really enjoyed the way that Rae’s life was depicted so thoroughly, and not just simply glossed over as her life changes in so many ways. This was a wonderful novel about women, marriage, family, and friendships!
The Girl in the Corner, written by Amanda Prowse, is a hauntingly captivating book that will have you laughing one moment and tearful the next. This book is cleverly written intertwining, friendship, love, humor and on the darker side deception, envy, and betrayal, giving the reader a book they will be unable to put down. The Girl in the Corner is a very realistic fictional story of one woman’s journey of self-examination.
The main character, Rae-Valentine, a quiet girl, who felt unseen and inadequate throughout her teenage years, and then at sixteen she meets her soon to best friend, Dolly Latimer, who has a boisterous and domineering personality. That’s when everything changes. Dolly fixes Rae up with her brother Howard. Rae not only falls in love with Howard but she also falls in love with his entire family and how different they are from her family. Fast forward twenty-seven years, Rae and Howard, surrounded by their two children and their families, are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. After the party Howard delivers the ultimate betrayal leaving Rae questioning her whole life.
There is so much about this book that I savored. Amanda Prowse writes so beautifully, and her characters have a real sense of authenticity, enabling the reader to develop a deep heartfelt connection to them. It was a pure joy reading how the girl in the corner found her true voice.
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review to read this book. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. This review is my honest opinion .***
This was an entertaining, well-written book. Rae-Valentine is celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary when her husband reveals a shocking secret. Instead of going on his anniversary gift of a trip to Antigua with him, she takes her best friend, his sister. Now she has a chance to step back and re-evaluate the direction her life is taken, and maybe make some changes. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
“Before that I was just a girl in the corner, faded into the background, and it wasn’t nice; no one wants to be like that, like furniture!”
A well written story about family, loss, and finding your way no matter how old you might be.
Rae was always the “go to girl”. She had the ideal life, family and best friend.
But… something went wrong on the night of her twenty fifth anniversary party. Rae finds out from her husband that her life hasn’t been as perfect or as pure as she has thought.
Rae needs to find herself and break out of “the corner”!
Will she? Can she?
I truly enjoyed this novel and love Amanda’s books!