Always On My Mind by Beth Moran
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sometimes when you can’t see the way forwards, the best thing to do is to look back…
When Jessie left home at eighteen, she swore she’d never go back. But when life takes a turn for the complicated, she’s forced to move in with her twin, Isaac, and his two best friends. To her dismay, one of these is Elliot, the boy Jessie once loved, until his life was changed forever by a terrible accident that Jessie still blames herself for.
Cohabiting with three alarmingly unhouse-trained males was not in Jessie’s life plan so when Isaac, Elliot and Arthur offer her a generous rent discount if she’ll help them with their ‘Boys to Men Project’, designed to end years of disastrous dating, she reluctantly accepts the challenge.
As Jessie embraces the comfort of being home, revelling in her new job at her parents’ day centre full of people determined to grow old disgracefully, she realises her housemates aren’t the only ones needing to make some changes. And maybe, if she can finally forgive herself for Elliot’s accident, she can start to look forward to a future, with or without him by her side.
MY REVIEW
Ms. Moran does it again. I love everything about this book from the quirky and troubled characters to the lovely and fun day center activities in an old converted barn.
Jessie is tucking tail and returning home practically penniless to stay with her twin brother Isaac and his two roommates until her boyfriend returns from his solo trip abroad. Working for her parents as an activities coordinator for a bunch of unruly senior citizens is challenging, but it’s living with Elliott, the reason she left home so long ago, that is resurrecting her guilt and shame. Struggling with her part in his tragic accident during prom night so many years ago which left him injured she fights to keep her distance while finding unexpected pleasure with her new job at the center. In addition, she makes a deal called the Boys to Men Project with her new socially inept roommates to be their life coach in exchange for a reduction in her rent. Let the laughter begin.
The longer Jessie stays to help her family, friends, and community, the more she wants to stay and make a future. I love that Jessie starts to heal from her past and becomes a part of the town she left so long ago. Her fun and challenging activities for the feisty elderly “Outlaws” are hilarious and rewarding.
The amazing and selfless Elliott is still recovering and learning to live with his injury, and I love that he coaches the under-nines football team filled with an extraordinary group of young boys who push past their physical and mental challenges to enjoy the game. It’s Jessie’s help as an assistant coach that gives him the encouragement and support to see his team play the way they want.
This book is more than the love between Jessie and Elliott. It’s the love of community, the love of family, and loving oneself. It’s about recovery, hope, and creating the life you want.
Once again Ms. Moran gives the reader a lovable, quirky, and enriching assortment of characters of all ages from all walks of life. Read this book, it won’t disappoint.
Thank you to Ms. Moran for giving me the opportunity to read this book with the expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth Moran is the bestselling author of romantic novels including Christmas Every Day and Just The Way You Are. She regularly features on BBC Radio Nottingham and is a trustee of the national women’s network Free Range Chicks. She lives on the outskirts of Sherwood Forest.
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