This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Headline Review (12 July 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1472208986
• ISBN-13: 978-1472208989
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 2.5 x 19.8 cm

Synopsis

On the one hand, if Essie hadn’t written that letter – the one that only her best friend was meant to see – then she’d still be living like an actual proper grown-up, tucked up with Paul in his picture-perfect cottage, maybe even planning their wedding… On the other hand (if her true feelings hadn’t accidentally taken the internet by storm, that is) she wouldn’t have moved into the attic flat on the square. She would never have met Conor. Or got to know Lucas… And she wouldn’t have found herself falling in love with someone she really, really shouldn’t fall in love with..

Review

This Could Change Everything is about those moments in life when something happens out of your control, and your life is turned upside down.  For the main character in Jill Mansell’s new book, Essie, it is a private email that was only meant to go to her best friend Scarlett, but was sent to all her email contacts.  At the time Essie sees this as devastating but life has a fun way of throwing a curve ball and turns this into a new life experience for Essie.  It is not only Essie who has had this moment in her life, as you read the book you will find that at one time or another all the main characters have at sometime come up against this.

The plot is narrated by Essie, Zillah, Connor who all live in Zillah’s house in Percival Square Bath, and Lucas who lives and owns the The Red House bar on the square.  These four characters make up the four cornerstones of the plot, all are or become connected to each other.  Essie starts the book with what she sees as the perfect relationship, the perfect boyfriend and the perfect house, but when life gets in the way she realises that there is more out there for her, new friends and new opportunities.  She is a fun, outgoing, kind character who can turn her hand to anything.  She has a heart of gold and is very loyal to her friends, especially her best friend Scarlett.  My favourite character has to be Zillah; I want to grow old like her.  She maybe eighty three but she still wears her stiletto heels, smart clothes and her Chanel lipstick, she is a woman after my own heart.  She has lived a wonderful life, not always happy, but is there to impart advice to those who want it.  Zillah uses her older years to help those in need, whether that be a young boy who was shoplifting, giving a home to Essie or helping those at a local hospice.  The character who surprised me most was Scarlett.  She is Essie’s best friend, and the life and soul of the party; confident, outgoing  and independent. Throughout this book just when you thought you knew her you find out another side to her character.

Jill Mansell always manages to grab your attention with her characters and plot lines.  She seems to get under the skin of her characters, make them come alive and really understand them, and make them endearing to the reader.  There are some difficult subjects raised, terminal illness and alcoholism, but these are counterbalanced by Jill Mansell’s trade mark humour and warmth in her writing. Picking up one of her books is like putting on your favourite comy pyjamas, you feel instantly relaxed, happy and at ease and know all will be well.

This Could Change Everything is everything a good book should be.  It’s a pleasure to read, has wonderful characters, a plot that has romance, humour, different twists and turns for the main characters and will keep make you forget about time as you will be consumed by the story. The only downside is finishing the book, I wanted to stay in the lives of Essie, Zillah and Lucas.  This is entertainment at its best, a real feel good novel.

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