Book Review: A Private Affair

By Gail Allison

Let me start this off by saying that I love Lesley Lokko’s books. The sweeping landscapes, the multifaceted characters, and the fascinating storylines are completely captivating, and A Private Affair kept up the tradition. It was also one of those books that told four separate stories that slowly wove together into once fantastic novel. Completely my cup of tea!

Sam is a successful entertainment lawyer who grew up unattractive and unpopular, and compensated by working extra hard at school. Her diligence translated into a powerful career, the wealth that came with it, and she has now molded herself into a beautiful woman, but deep down inside she’s still a little bit unsure of herself. So when a handsome stranger approaches her while she’s on holidays, she finds herself falling hard for him. But is he as perfect as he seems?

Abby is the quintessential army brat. She was brought up to support the men in her life while they were out on tour, and to present herself as a flexible, supportive, caring person when they were back at home. She was taught not to make waves, and to do whatever she had to do in order to deal with her own emotions and not project anything on to her husband. Can she keep up the façade, even in the face of a terrible secret?

Dani is a survivor. Born into poverty in Sierra Leone, she’s out to prove to the world that she can make a difference for all the girls she’s ever met who did anything they could just to have a meal in front of them. She has great aspirations, and doesn’t want anyone to end up in the shoes she once wore, but can she do enough to chase away the shadows that haunt her?

Meaghan is also a survivor, but against a different backdrop. A teenage runaway, she’s worked hard all her life to ensure she’s taken care of. When a handsome army officer approaches her out of the blue, she’s taken aback, but perhaps her luck is finally turning around…

Set against lush landscapes, and juxtaposed by the harsh realities of army life, A Private Affair is not an easy read, but it’s totally absorbing. It’s quite a bit darker than most of Ms. Lokko’s novels, but don’t let this deter you. This book grabs hold of a deeper storyline, and keeps you hooked from the very first page. If you don’t mind keeping track of a few different (but all equally compelling) threads, and have the time to really sink your teeth into a great novel, check out A Private Affair.

Thanks to Trafalgar Square Publishing for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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