ABOUT THE BOOK
Divorced and keeping a heart-breaking secret, Abbie Potter is sleep-walking through her life as a publicist at a London football club. She seems to spend more time covering their scandals than celebrating their wins, and has had enough. Though she’s already prepared for a fresh start, some shocking news pushes her to take an opportunity even further from home – in Salt Lake City.
The first morning of her new life, Abbie bumps into Kyle Miller. He’s persistent, and Abbie’s more than intrigued by him. Everything else seems to fit into place too: she has a fulfilling job, is on a journey of self-rediscovery, and has revived her love of music thanks to a new-found friendship.
She can’t risk losing what she’s built for herself, but how can she stop it from slipping through her fingers without shattering the façade she hides behind?
MY REVIEW
Between getting used to driving on the other side of the road, snowboarding, drinking American tea, and literally running into a walking, talking “stupidly hot” all-American cliche, British Abbie has changed the trajectory of her life. Is it too good to be true?
Abbie is lucky to find a job she loves even though it is daunting to move to a different country to find it. Though she thinks she is a coward for past choices and relationships, I find her to be a very courageous and strong woman who took a chance on a new job and a new life so far away from home. The way she beats herself up for her divorce and another incident in her life is so very sad and not her fault and it is rewarding to see her overcome that guilt. Her excitement and wonder at experiencing so many new things in Utah are contagious and who better to see those things with than the loveable and hunky Kyle. That man just made me smile. Kyle’s sweet and sincere gestures and his genuine feelings for Abbie are so romantic and he made me tear up a couple of times. I also loved that he nicknamed her England. With all of their ups and downs and misunderstandings, Abbie and Kyle are made for each other and deserve a happy ending.
The supporting characters including the spritely and feisty best friend Violet, the surprising musician and roommate, Polly, and the smart and good-natured Rose, are a welcome addition to the story and a great support system for Abbie.
I was also very intrigued by the music review blog, The Salt Scene, that Abbie and Rose created on a whim. As someone who lives in a small town, I would be thrilled to go around clubs and bars listening to new and upcoming bands and rating them. In addition, Abbie’s great ideas for her day job as PR rep for the Utah Saints are compelling as she mixes music with sports.
I recommend this heartwarming debut novel to those who love to explore what life has to bring. Ms. Banks’ debut novel is delightful with its genuine characters and charming explorations of Utah, and I hope to read more from her in the future.
Thank you to Ms. Banks for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectations of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca Banks owns a boutique public relations agency specialising in sports and entertainment, and has 20 years of experience in PR and events.
She is also a freelance journalist. For over a decade she has written features from celebrity interviews and human profile pieces to motoring and travel reviews. Half the World Away is her debut novel.
Follow Rebecca on her website, Instagram and Twitter.
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