When I met You by Jemma Forte

Oh holiday romances, the bane of  an over-active imagination, too much sun, alcohol and lack of judgement.

I can understand how Marianne mistakenly thinks her holiday hot stuff will work in her home setting, because she is simply deluded and blinded by the romantic memories she clings to.

Hot stuff turns out to be all fluffy flab with the attitude of a squatter. Unfortunately he comes to stay and much like a bad smell, he lingers in the background throughout the entire dramatic story.

This story is about leaving the mistakes of the past behind and forgiveness. It is also about believing in yourself and having the courage to take a step towards new ventures.

Marianne lives within the huge shadow of her beautiful sister Hayley, despite a lack of musical talent their mother thinks Hayley is the next star upon the horizon. Marianne has gotten used to being the plan one, the boring one, the one who is expected to play it safe.

All that changes when her father turns up out of the blue, after many years of being absent. Having to deal with his terminal illness and the lies her mother constructed around his disappearance, is the last drop of water in an already overfilled barrel. Things start to unravel and certain family relationships are in danger of being destroyed forever.

Forte takes a close look at the complex inner workings of a patchwork family and the complicated relationships that go with it.

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin UK & Harlequin MIRA.