Member Reviews
I first discovered Amanda Prowse's books a year or so and since then I have become an avid and voracious reader of everything she writes. I was fortunate enough to be given the full book as an advanced copy and what a joy it is to sit down to read it, knowing you have 4 hours of pure enjoyment ahead of you. 'Anna' doesn't disappoint. Prowse has produced another expertly mixed blend of romance, poignancy, humour, sadness and optimism but without cliche or predicability. In a market flooded with psychological thrillers and predictable chick-lit, Prowse's books stand out as both thoughtful and thought-provoking. I can't wait to read 'Theo'.
Can you tell I'm a massive fan?!
Amanda Prose has done it again. A wonderful story of triumph through adverity. Anna suffers many loses and yet her strong vibrant spirit shines through. A brilliant story of Anna whom I warmed to immediately, and her struggle through the early years of her life. However this is not a sad story on the contrary it's very uplifting and a joyous read. My only criticism, the book ended far too soon.
Once again, Amanda Prowse has created an entrancing story with characters the reader can believe in and really emotionally invest in. My heart broke many times for Anna in this rollercoaster of a story. This book is beautifully written, and pulls the reader in. I love the premise of there being two sides to every love story, and I for one cannot wait to read Theo's story. Definitely a five star read....I couldn't put it down!
I have yet to meet a book by Amanda Prowse that I did not like. (I really don't think that I ever will!) Ms. Prowse is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has the ability to really make her readers "FEEL" and that is an accomplishment. Anna is an easy book to read and yet stirs up so many emotions. This little girl has a good life..is it perfect? No.. but she has a loving mother and brother. Her life is turned upside down and the choices she makes along the path of her life determine what kind of future she will have. Even though this was an emotional story I enjoyed seeing the strength and growth that Anna gained in her journey. I look forward to hearing more about Theo's story. Yet again, Well done Ms. Prowse!
Anna is a young child, Joe, her elder brother, live with her single mother, . She is surrounded by love, despite not having her father around, and can’t wait to get married and have her own children. Until that happens,she makes up her "pretend" children Fifi and Fox, and writes letters to them periodically, which she keeps as a journal.
Tragedy strikes. and steals her mother away from her, and after a short while, her brother is taken from her too.
Anna goes to live with an aunt who doesn’t really want her there, and so she runs away, and ultimately ends up in care, after trying to find her estranged father. The only information she has is his fore name, profession and that she was conceived in love. Whilst in care, Anna befriends a new arrival, and so begins her new journey.
Life is hard for Anna, but she finds herself a job on leaving care,and rents a small flat. She gets by, but the thought of forming a loving relationship, and having her own children are never far from her thoughts.
After one failed relationship, she meets Theo, a man from a completely different background. A man who loves her passionately, but who has his own past demons to conquer, and finds he cannot freely speak about them. Not even to Anna. They are from completely different backgrounds and social standings, but can their love for each other keep them together?
The author pulled me into the life of Anna, who had already had so much tragedy, watched, and felt her emotional turmoil as she battled from one disappointment to another.
I cheered when she found Theo, and I cried when that happy ending didn’t happen.
The letters to Fifi and Fox were a huge added bonus. The build-up of hope from a small child, all the way to an adult who wants nothing more than to be a mother.
This is not a classic story of love, showing that not all endings are necessarily fairytale based, and happily ever
after, but rather filled with a hope of something better to come.
Huge thanks to Amanda Prowse and Netgalley for the review copy, in turn for an honest review.
I rate this book 5 stars.
Oh I just loved Anna's story and cannot wait to read Theo's. What a wonderful book and Anna is such a strong and lovable character. I got caught up in the story and Anna's life almost instantly and couldn't put it down. She's had a hard life with lots of tragedies but however hard she picks herself up and makes the best of it.
When she meets the love of her life Theo she feels her life is complete. He's truly perfect..but is he? I love the supporting characters - Shania who she meets in the care home, her half brother and sister, Micky and Lisa even frosty posh Stella. It's an absolute triumph of a book and I loved it.
Oh wow. This book was deeply gratifying! I loved Anna’s story! So moving! I can’t wait to hear Theo’s story so I can see the whole picture!
I read and reviewed an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own
Oh Amanda, what a tease! I’m loving learning all about Anna & can’t wait to find out what the future holds for her (& Shania, Jordan & Theo). As always Amanda’s books have wonderfully rich & rounded characters. Will have to sit on my hands til the next instalment...
Amanda Prowse never fails to deliver and she's done it again with this story of Anna. For those who adore Amanda's characters this is another for the list.
Another cracking read by Amanda Prowse. Having read majority of her books, I am yet to be disappointed, I’m entirely convinced that Amanda may be a genius, who knows exactly how to keep me awake at night.
Such a clever concept to tell the stories of Anna and Theo from their own personal perspectives, I wait eagerly for Theo’s part of this heart breaking story.
A beautifully written story that deserves every one of the 5 stars I am giving, highly recommend.
Really enjoyed this preview, can't wait to read the full book
Loved this taster of Anna !! Can’t wait until March to read more!! Amanda Prowse is one of my favourite authors and I have not been disappointed my any of her books. Her ability to transport you to the story and feel the characters is fantastic.
Anna’s life until 18 is described in this book and what a life she has had. Heartache from losing her mum and brother but she has survived and flourished. I’m willing Anna on to a happy ending!! A must buy in March
Book blurb...
There are two sides to every love story. Anna Cole grew up in care, and wants to start a family of her own. Theo Montgomery had a loveless childhood, and wants to find his soulmate. Then, one day, Theo meets Anna, and Anna meets Theo. Each shows the other how to love. And each shows the other what heartbreak feels like. This is Anna's story.
My thoughts...
Unique and utterly addictive. The author has a distinctive voice that makes her storytelling the freshest I’ve read in a long time. (But that could be because I read a lot of domestic noir and thrillers!) Seriously, I am so glad I got the opportunity to read Anna’s story. What a clever concept. I can’t wait to read Theo’s story.
In fact, maybe I need to switch genres for a while. And maybe everyone needs to have a little Amanda Prowse in their lives. It might make the world a brighter place.
Really enjoyed this snippet of what teases to be a great story. Anna is already finding her way into my feels so I'm really looking forward to reading it in full when it releases.
The scene is set and the heartstrings have already been pulled. Can't wait!
5/5: Amanda Prowse has excelled at writing yet another story that puts both its reader and characters through a plethora of emotions. Cannot wait to read Theo's story! The most engrossing page-turner I've read so far this year, don't miss it. Thank you Amanda Prowse, publisher and Net Galley.
It's always a pleasure to be asked to read and review one of Amanda Prowse's books and I very much enjoyed reading this one about Anna. It is the first of the One Love, Two Stories series and is published next month, to be followed by Theo in April.
Anna tells the story of Anna Cole, from when she was very young living with her mum and older brother Joe. Despite times being hard for her mum, she has a very happy childhood and knows that above all she is loved. By the time she is 13 though, Anna has known more heartache than you would want any child to bear. Anna is so brave and is determined to make a success of her life, despite the difficult circumstances she has been in. More than anything, she wants to create a loving family of her own. And that's where Theo comes in. Theo could not have had a more different childhood from Anna's, though we only get glimpses of it in this book. He is from a privileged background, went to boarding school, lives in a large expensive house in an affluent suburb of London and money is no object for him. Yet he and Anna are perfect for each other. This is Anna's version of their love story.
As always, Amanda Prowse shows her talent for writing an emotionally engaging story. My heart went out to Anna who had such a rough time as a child yet somehow managed to come through everything as a strong, independent and caring young woman. The author captures emotions so beautifully that you can easily empathise with her characters, even if you haven't gone through the same experiences. All Anna wants is to be loved and to love her own family in return. I really felt for her as for one reason or another, the possibility seemed to be further away than ever. I loved the letters she wrote throughout the book, so touching when she was a child becoming even more poignant when she was an adult.
Without giving anything away, the story feels a little unresolved and I am now really looking forward to reading the story from Theo's perspective to see if it will be resolved. I am keen to find out about his childhood which, though privileged, seems to have been unhappy. It will also be interesting to read about the relationship from Theo's point of view.
Anna is another heart-warming yet heart-wrenching story from Amanda Prowse - keep your hankies to hand, you may well need them!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Heart wrenching, this book is another treat from Amanda Prowse. The character of Anna was wonderful and written with such compassion and empathy. My heart almost broke for some of the situations she found herself in.
I cannot wait for more of Anna and Theo’s story. 5 star read and highly recommended.
Amanda does it again. Anna’s story left me in tears, as so many of Amanda’s books do. All Anna wants is an ordinary life but sadly it doesn’t seem likely. I’d recommend this book to anyone I can’t wait for Theo’s story now.
Amanda never disappoints when it comes to reading her books and this her 17th I believe, certainly lived up to my expectations. It is a beautifully written heart breaking story told through Anna’s words from childhood through to adulthood. The early chapters are of her early years when Anna’s life is full of love and happiness that is until is reached 9 years of age and tragedy strikes leaving her feeling broken and in care. As Anna’s story moves on to adulthood and to a new chapter in her life we are introduced to new friends, family and lovers. An event in a lift brings Theo into her existence and Anna immediately senses that he is the one for her. I could feel their characters as two lost souls coming together but this also brings problems in their relationship as well as their love story. I would describe Anna as a survivor as she is faced with many hurdles in her life and through her written letters to her fictitious children Fifi and Fox, I could see that she is striving for a family of her own to care for and love unconditionally.
There are lots of sensitive subjects in this tale, death, drug addiction, depression and loneliness to name a few but they are each dealt with honesty and reality. I can’t wait to read Theo and discover how his life has moulded him into the person I have been introduced to in Anna’s life.
Thanks to Amanda and Simeon for the auto approval on NetGalley. Keep writing Amanda as I just love your emotive wrting style.
I LOVED this book! Could not put it down and am suffering from lack of sleep. This book grabbed me in as I started to follow Anna's emotional story from childhood to adult. This story has me crying so keep the tissues near by.
Amanda has written an amazingly powerful and beautiful story with characters so real you can relate to them.
Anna and Theo meet and come from different backgrounds and looking for love and happiness that they never had as children.
Can't wait to read Theo's story.
Thank you NetGalley, the Publisher and Amanda Prowse for giving me the opportunity to read this book.