Only Human by Diane Chandler


☆☆☆☆
ebook, 249 pages
Expected publication: September 8th 2020 by Blackbird Digital Books
About the Book:
Every betrayal has a consequence. One family... one summer... one woman. The Bonds are, seemingly, a tight family unit, until one fateful summer when the temptations of lust and love come for them all. Tiger mum Anna, who gave up her career to build the perfect home life in London's leafy Chiswick, is shocked to the core when she discovers that her husband of 20 years is having an affair. Her daughter meanwhile is is transforming into a tricky teen chopping at the apron strings. Then Jack walks into their lives. Sophie’s first boyfriend is a breath of fresh air for the whole family, and Anna gradually discovers new purpose for herself. But when more deceit creeps in, tensions soar, and Anna is propelled through a tangled web of secrets and lies towards a devastating climax.

This is a book about marriage, love, motherhood, friendship, first love and sex. It is told in the best possible way, it is real and raw and poetic. This is Contemporary Literary Fiction at its finest. Diane Chandler writes about the human condition in a very compelling way. I read this book in a single day and found it to be a great character study.

This is definitely not a fluffy beach read. Besides the coming of age and the love story of each of the characters this book handles some important issues...low self esteem, loneliness and infidelity are just some of the emotional baggage these characters are carrying around. Watching each of these characters push through life the best way they can makes for a compelling read that in the end will make you glad to have read their story.

The plot is powerful and riveting, but the book's true strength is in the fully-developed characters, who will haunt you long after you stop reading. This is a must read for fans of contemporary, women's fiction.

Thank you NetGalley, Diane Chandler and Blackbird Digital Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#OnlyHuman #NetGalley

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