Book Review and Giveaway: Yours Truly

By Becky Gulc

**Giveaway is now closed**

"Yours Truly" is the debut novel by ‘Novelicious’ editor Kirsty Greenwood and is currently available as an e-book. Novelicious is one of my favourite websites for book news and writing related news so after reading about it on there (including the process of designing a book cover, which Kirsty also does herself) I was keen and intrigued to read this book. Here is the synopsis:

'Newly engaged Natalie Butterworth is an easy-going girl. She'll do anything for a quiet life and if telling a few teensy white lies keeps her friends and family happy, then so what? It's not like they'll ever discover what she's really thinking...

Until one night, thanks to a pub hypnotist, Natalie's most private thoughts begin to bubble up and pop out of her mouth. Things get very messy indeed, especially when some sticky home truths offend her fiancé.

Natalie must track down the hypnotist before the wedding is officially cancelled. So along with bad influence bestie Meg, Natalie finds herself in the Yorkshire Parish of Little Trooley - a small village bursting with big secrets, nosy old folk and intriguing Wellington-wearing men. When the girls get stranded in the village with no means of escape and no way to break the hypnotist's spell, Natalie is forced to face the truths she has been avoiding her whole life...' (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)

To sum up, I loved this book. I was instantly drawn in through the opening scenes when Natalie is getting her hair done and just cannot bring herself to tell her hairdresser that she hates her new hairstyle – we’ve all been there and done exactly the same I’m sure! So there was an instant affinity with Natalie as the central character. Natalie’s also a bit too nice for her own good, not standing her ground when her wedding plans are overtaken by her mum and sister or when her fiancé is quite frankly rude and annoying. She’s not so nice that you just feel she’s a wet fish though, which was important; it wouldn’t have been the same book if I hadn’t cared and I did.

I’ve been through a difficult time in my personal life lately and this book was a tonic and made me laugh again, just the book I needed! When I first read about the hypnotism element of the book I initially wondered whether it would annoy me and end up too surreal – I have to say Kirsty gets the balance just right with this plot – it provides very comical moments but it’s never over-done. There were definitely further opportunities where Kirsty could have played on this inability to lie further (e.g. at the beauty salon) but the way she worked it so the truth would only come out when asked a direct question worked well and meant it didn’t become grating or predictable, in fact I could forget about that side of the story at times as I was so engrossed in what was going on in Little Trooley.

I am a born and bred Yorkshire lass, so I have to say I really loved the fact this book was set in the north of England. With the northern accents and the beautiful sense of place, I felt at home! I found this refreshing, as so many books tend to be set in major cities. I really developed vivid images of Little Trooley, particularly when Natalie gets snowed in. Although I read the book in the summer (well, an England version of summer...) it’s a lovely cosy read that will be perfect for autumn/winter when the nights draw in. I also enjoyed the many cultural references in this book, again very British and contemporary (even my favourite twins Jedward get a mention :)).

The range of characters in the book was a strong point for me, the usual village mix, the ones you’re not sure can be trusted, the ones you think you can trust, the ones with family secrets, the ones that are just lovely and gorgeous..There was plenty going on in Little Trooley and back in Natalie’s hometown to keep my interest equally high throughout the novel, there were no lull points for me. As a reader you may think you know what’s going to happen but there are enough twists along the way to question yourself, and even the ending itself I was really pleased with as it didn’t quite fit with my expectations but in a good way. The book also leaves an air of mystery with it which I wasn’t expecting.

I’m also grateful that this book has broken the Kindle spell for me. I’ve had my Kindle almost a year now and haven’t particularly bonded with it, if I’m honest. I’ve read a fair few e-books now and although they’ve generally been good, I just haven’t loved any of them and I wondered if it was any way related to reading them on the kindle itself, even though I liked to think not! Anyway I’m pleased to say "Yours Truly" helped me to forge a bond with my Kindle at last, I couldn’t wait to pick it up each night. It’s definitely an e-book worth buying. "Yours Truly" is one of those books where I’ve enjoyed it so much I’ve had to leave it a few days before picking up my next book, I wasn’t quite ready to enter someone else’s world when I was happy in the world of Natalie Butterworth and Little Trooley!

Thanks to Kirsty Greenwood for the book in exchange for an honest review AND for sharing THREE Kindle copies to some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

How to win "Yours Truly":
Since the title sounds like a way to end a note and it's still "back to school" month, please tell us: What was your favorite message written by someone in your yearbook? (One entry per person.) Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win.

Giveaway ends September 23rd at midnight EST.

You might also enjoy: