Portobello Book Blog

I read and reviewed The Trouble With Words by Suzie Tullett some time back. The book is being republished by Bombshell Books today so it seemed a good idea to share my review again along with the lovely new cover.

I really enjoyed this story about young widow Annabel’s quest to have a baby, some time after the death of her beloved husband Tom. Annabel feels her biological clock ticking but has no desire to replace Tom, having promised to be faithful forever. During a chance meeting with the lovely Dan, and fuelled by alcohol, she asks him to be the father of her child. This is to be purely a practical arrangement, no strings, no further involvement from Dan. Dan seems to be a commitment-phobe having a seemingly endless string of girlfriends, none of whom last long. However, it is really Dan’s mother who is the problem. Over bearing and interfering and determined to see her only son settled, she scares most girls off!

What I thought Suzie Tullett does very well in this book is to make you feel and understand her characters complex emotions. Annabel is still missing her husband and really looking for love but denies herself the opportunity. When she realises she rather likes Dan, she feels so guilty she refuses to accept the possible chance of happiness. Dan also develops feelings for Annabel but won’t admit it either. He is having a huge crisis in his life and I thought that this aspect of the story was dealt with very sensitively. The trouble with words is it’s not always easy to say what you really feel.

I seem to have made this book sound like it’s a heavy going story of grief and love-denied but it’s not at all. It’s a charming love story with lots of funny moments such as the one involving Dan’s mum and a drug bust! In fact my opinion of Dan’s mum changed a lot throughout the book and I ended up really liking her. And as for the end of the book, well you may need a hankie or two! From the most unlikely situation, Suzie Tullett creates an ending that will have you smiling – and perhaps sniffing a little too!

From the back of the book

Annabel is desperate to have a baby – there’s just one problem. She’s single, and after losing her husband in a hit and run accident she’s just not ready for a relationship. 

Dan is on the hunt for the perfect woman – but when his mother drops a bombshell, he starts to feel the pressure.

When Dan and Annabel’s worlds collide, both think that maybe they’ve found the solution to their problems…but things start to get messy.

Can both Dan and Annabel get what they want?

Both will soon find out that the trouble with words is finding the right thing to say.

 

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