Tuesday 25 June 2013
Lydia Livingston isn't like other young women of her generation. She isn't career driven and her greatest ambition in life is to get married and have a family of her own. She isn't one of those women who wants it all. In the modern world of high powered business and women struggling to achieve a glittering career and balance a family life, Lydia is considered somewhat of an oddity. Unfortunately for Lydia, her ambitions for a perfect husband and a family have not come to fruition and approaching her 30th birthday, she is still single. And not happy about it! Frustrated with the direction her life is going, Lydia decides to go abroad to re-evaluate life and the lack of a man in it. This also gives her the opportunity to get away from her family who are driving her nuts!
Lydia finds herself on a beautiful Greek island where she rather stupidly tries to reinvent herself - as a professional chef. Thinking that her little white lie couldn't possibly cause any problems, Lydia soon realises that that lie will propel her into a series of events - namely being asked to cater for a Greek wedding! Not great for a woman who can't even boil water! To further complicate matters, Lydia meets Sam and hates him on sight, convinced that after finding out about her little white lie, he is going to blackmail her. Just when things can't get any worse for Lydia, they do! How will the Greeks and Lydia cope with the arrival of the rest of the Livingston clan!? Is there anyway out of the mess Lydia manages to get herself in? Is Sam all he appears to be?
This wonderful book by Suzie Tullett is the sort of book that is perfect for holiday reading. Set in the beautiful Greek island of Kalymnos, the descriptions of the outstanding scenery instantly transports the reader there and the author's knowledge of the area is evident. I adore the main character Lydia. I love that she goes against convention and wants a husband and family instead of a career. Lydia was such a refreshing and vibrant character.
Little White Lies and Butterflies was a great romantic comedy that had so many cringe-worthy moments for poor Lydia that I often found myself shouting out.......'No Lydia!!!' This is a great fun read with just the right amount of romance and comedy throughout and highlighted just how important family can be, no matter how crazy they are! I defy anyone not to love Lydia and her family instantly, despite the comedy situations they manage to find themselves in. Suzie Tullett has a writing style that is easy to read and leaves the reader with that 'feel good' factor that is so important. I shall be following her career with interest. Little White Lies and Butterflies is published 1st August 2013.
*I had a very special interest in this book as I was the editor so I can doubly recommend it!
About the Author
About the Author
Born and raised in Lancashire, Suzie Tullett has worn many hats in life: from office work to teaching, from managing an advice centre to being an outreach worker for Women’s Aid. She’s achieved a Bachelor’s and a Master’s and works with the BBC as a scriptwriter—all while raising her family. Ultimately, she wants to leave scriptwriting behind and write full-time. She says “it’s fair to say my working life has given me the chance to get to know all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds; a definite asset for anyone looking to write for a living.”
Author Links:
Synopsis
A child of the nineties, Lydia Livingston is different. The last thing she’s ever wanted is to be superwoman; she knows first-hand that ‘having it all’ isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. As far as she’s concerned, when it comes to job versus family, it’s a definite case of one or the other. And whilst most women her age have spent years climbing the corporate ladder, she’s made a career out of bagging her perfect man.At almost thirty and still single, Lydia wonders if she’d made the right choice all those years ago. And realising the time has come to take stock, she goes against her family’s wishes and banishes herself off to a distant land—all in the hope of finding a new direction.
At least that’s the plan. But Lydia Livingston isn’t just different, she’s misunderstood. A fact she knows all too well. So when the totally unsuitable Sam comes along, she decides to tell a little white lie, reinventing herself as a professional chef – not exactly the best new identity to come up with for a woman who can’t even cook. Of course, the last thing she expects is for him to find out the truth and start blackmailing her. Let alone find herself roped into catering for a local wedding. But with things going from bad to worse, her madder than mad family also turn up in something of a surprise visit, intent on celebrating a birthday she’s no intentions of celebrating!
Thanks for the great review. I can't stop smiling.
I love the fact that you physically reacted to Lydia and her antics. It's nice to know she's as much fun to read about as she was to write x
Fab review and looks a really good read! I loved Going Underground and am looking forward to this! X
Thanks, Donna. Can't wait to hear what you think of it! x
Thanks, Donna. Can't wait to hear what you think of it! x
Terrific review. You make the book sound like a must-read.
Sounds like a fabulous summer read - and I'm keen to make this summer last as long as possible. Thanks for the review JB - It's now on my To Read list!
It really is a fabulous read! Excellent review. Thanks for sharing, JB - and well done, Suzie! :) xx