To the best of my knowledge I’ve not previously read a novel by Joanna Trollope. I’ve heard of the popular English author of course, but tend to assume her books wouldn’t be of interest – relegating them to the part of my life I’ve left elsewhere. The time in which I loved and read Maeve Binchy, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Danielle Steel and the like.

So it’s always a surprise when I find myself reading something which seems alien and familiar (and comfortable) at the same time.