Portobello Book Blog

I absolutely adore Milly Johnson’s books. Each time I read one, I feel completely caught up with the story and the characters and this one, you’ll not be surprised to know, was no exception! Today is paperback publication day and I’m delighted to be sharing my review again. I was particularly chuffed to find that a bit from my review is printed on the inside cover of this book!

The book starts with an unimaginable situation when Pete loses his wife in a tragic accident. Six months later at a counselling session, he meets Laurie who has also lost her partner. Both having lost their partners so young, it is perhaps only natural that they feel a bond and understand each other. But they both have also discovered things about their partners which suggest that they have been keeping secrets from them. As they start to try to find out just what has been going on, it seems that they have even more in common that they thought.

This is a real ‘Sleepless in Seattle‘ type story about two people just meant to be together. It would make a wonderfully romantic film and if only Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were British and about thirty years younger, it would be a perfect film for them. I just adored Pete and Laurie and thought Milly Johnson wrote about their situations so insightfully.

The book isn’t all about grief and sorrow though and there were plenty of lighter moments. It was lovely to meet again with the women from Here Come The Girls on the cruise ship Mermaidia as they, and some other characters from that book, made a cameo appearance. The Daily Trumpet newspaper continues to provide some memorable bloopers to make you laugh out loud – it really is a hoot!

I always think that each Milly Johnson book I read is her best yet and my new favourite and yes I’m going to say that again about My One True North. It’s a brilliant story with pulls you in and doesn’t let you go till the end. You can rely on Milly Johnson to tell an irresistible story, as surely as you can rely on a compass to point you in the right direction.

My thanks to the publishers, Simon & Schuster, for my review copy of the book via Netgalley. My One True North is available from next week and you will find various pre-order options here: My One True North

From the back of the book

Laurie and Pete should never have met.
But fate has pushed them together for a reason.
 
Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners.
Struggling to manage the grief, they join the same counselling group – and meet each other.
 
From their sadness, Pete and Laurie find happiness growing and they sense a fresh new beginning. 
Except, the more they talk, the more they begin to spot the strange parallels in their stories.
Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything.
 
But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart.
 
My One True North is a story of friendship and what love means, of secrets uncovered, teashops on corners and the northern lights.

About the author

Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. As well as being an author of 16 published novels, 2 short story books and 2 novellas, she is also a copywriter for the greetings card industry, a poem and joke-writer, a columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.

She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016 and the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015.

She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.

Milly’s website is http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk. She is on Twitter as @millyjohnson, Instagram as @themillyjohnson and has a Facebook page @MillyJohnsonAuthor. She also has a monthly newsletter http://www.millyjohnson.co.uk/newsletter with exclusive, news, offers and competitions.