I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it was down to earth and realistic. Rae - Valentine is a quiet unassuming young girl when she meets Dolly at college. Dolly is her exact opposite, the loud and outgoing party type and she and Rae become firm friends with Dolly pushing her towards her brother, Howard, which soon results in wedding bells. Rae remains the steady, reliable wife and mother until her world is turned upside down on the day of her 25th wedding anniversary by a confession from Howard that will change her life forever, forcing her to examine herself and what she has become. Fabulously written in such a believable way, touching on subjects everyone can relate to. A definite yes from me!

Another incredibly thoughtful book by Amanda Prowse, one of my favourite authors.

Rae-Valentine is a woman who got married early, to be a part of the Latimer family, who were loud, wild and miles away from her own dull, stuck-in-their-ways family. Her sister-in-law is Dolly, whom she met when she was 16, and Dolly is her best friend as well as her relative. Rae's life is SO enmeshed with those of the Latimers, she has tended to be slightly outside the orbit of her own family. She is the "go-to" lady, the one who is always there for others and who always fixes everything for everyone. But what about HER hopes and dreams? Is she destined to always be the girl in the corner?

There were so many things that resonated with me, with this book. I have always been the girl in the corner too, the boring one, the one that was easy to dismiss. But, just like Rae, I started to find my feet in middle-age and it has been hard but good ever since.

I loved the character of Rae: she was real, she was such a nice woman and I was cheering her on, all the way. The story developed in a way that was unexpected, but I loved it!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially women who were "the girl in the corner" in their younger days :)

5 well-deserved stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are very relatable and I found that this plot could happen to anyone. I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Amanda Prowse and have thoroughly enjoyed lots of her previous titles so was looking forward to this one. I am very pleased to say that this is bound to be another best seller and is in the true Amanda Prowse style.

A shy, quiet, sixteen year old Rae-Valentine meets Dolly, a loud, bubbly character and they instantly become the best of friends. Rae also ends up marrying Howard, Dolly’s older brother. Fast forward twenty five years and Dolly and Rae are still best friends, as well as sister-in-laws. Rae has the perfect life but then Howard drops a bombshell. He has had a two week fling with a waitress from his work. Rae’s life is turned upside down and she really doesn’t know what to do. Can she stay with Howard ?

The story tells the story of how Rae deals with the aftermath of her Husband’s confession. There are highs and lows, and expect some tear shedding !! This is a fantastic insight into marriage, family, betrayals and so much more. The characters are absolutely fabulous and you will find yourself becoming so engrossed in all of their lives.

If you love Amanda Prowse, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. If you haven’t read any of Amanda’s previous titles, then what are you waiting for !?

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

Great book, Easy read with suprise ending. Great novel about family life in London. Great characters. I would definitely recommend this book to family & friends.

I read this in one sitting - it was my alone time on the train, I really enjoyed the book it was really absorbing & a great read.
The characters were a little cliched, Dolly being over the top, Howard such the chiselled hunk - and Rae, put upon and a jolly good sort. But, as the story developed I did warm to Rae and Dolly, and it felt more real - and I was really happy with the way things worked out in the end.

There is a lot packed into this book. It took me a while to get into it and start to feel empathy with some of the characters. There is love, friendship, family and heartbreak in this story. There is a lot to the plot. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is a typical Amanda Prowse book, full of domestic issues and intrigue. At the start I felt that it was not her usual style but it soon became a gripping story full of well defined characters. The story covers aspects of family life, love, deception, death and above all friendships. The story is centred around Rae Valentine from her school time, through her marriage , having children and discovering that her life is not what she really thought it was. I loved the descriptions Rae's life as they are so real and I consider that a lot of people will relate to her.
Great book, highly recommend to all.

I’ve read quite a few Amanda Prowse novels and once again she seems to have hit a winning formula l did enjoy the book but felt the characters a bit dated in their outlook and maybe a little staid it might be an idea to get back to a more cutting edge style as l feel they are descending into safety. I will try another when offered (thanks netgalley) but only it can be less Mills & Boon - sorry

Another fantastic story from this author - makes me so glad I still have plenty of her books still to read. I won't spoil the story but this is a bittersweet tale of love and deception all mixed up in the melee of family life. Started off with wanting the main character to get a grip as she seemed lost in the past dwelling on her life but soon felt sorry fro her as the wronged person. Eventually she turned into the lion that roared - hope she did finally get to her Greek islands. Highly recommended as are the other books I have read by Amanda.

The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse is a contemporary read that in typical Amanda Prowse fashion has a roller coaster of emotion oozing from the pages. There’s ups, there’s downs, with plenty of family drama to go around.

When Rae-Valentine was sixteen she met her lifelong best friend Dolly when the two ended up partnering up. The two girls couldn’t have been any more different from one another but that was exactly what drew them together when told to pick a partner. Dolly was ever the outgoing one with Rae as shy as can be but when Dolly offered to introduce Rae to her brother making plans to one day take their friendship into family who knew it would come true?

Now, Rae and her husband, Howard, are celebrating their twenty fifth wedding anniversary with Dolly right there by both of their sides. The couple has led a comfortable life with Howard working in the restaurant business with his family and Rae raising their children. But what should have been one of the happiest nights of their life quickly took a turn when Howard admitted to having an affair with a young waitress at the latest restaurant opening.

As usual with an Amanda Prowse title tissues may just very well may be necessary at some point during the book. The story takes a family and looks at marital break down from every possible angle and most will admit there is no right or wrong answer as to what Rae should/could do in that circumstance, this makes every turn of the page extremely thought provoking as you go on the journey with Rae. I couldn’t help but question every conversation and every move but just like a backseat driver isn’t at the wheel I had to patiently wait for Rae to come to her conclusion and was hooked the entire time.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A story of a wallflower, Rae- Valentine, and how she's never put herself first. In her eyes she was always second best, be it to her sister or her best friend Dolly. She was always the one who organised but never stood out. Then she finds out about her husband on their anniversary and her life is turned upside down. Will she settle for second best or will she fight for herself and her little red backpack.
A heart warming read, with a great finish.

I went into this book blind. Obviously I'd read the blurb before requesting the book, but I knew nothing of the writing style of Amanda. I'm very pleased to say I wasn't disappointed.
We start when Rae - Valentine is 16 and she meets Dolly. Personally I love Rae's name! It's unique and so unlike anything I've ever heard before. I actually think the name had me hooked from the start. She soon meets Howard, her now husband, if you can call him that?!
It soon became apparent that poor Rae had doormat tattooed on her forehead and everyone treated her as such. Rae and Howard had just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and on the night she found out he had been having an affair. He felt guilty so told her. She did a whole lot less than I'd do to him, I can assure you! I felt connected to Rae and liked her inner thoughts and the way she was thinking.
I became invested in her and want her to do what is best for her for a change rather than putting the family first. Doing right by the family! I would do anything and everything to please and help my family, but if it meant losing who I was as a person I don't think I'd be able to do it. Rae sacrificed everything to become who she is today. But it's about time they all take a step back and let her become the person she always wanted to be.
This truly was an eye opening read for the woman who want a voice and to be heard. It's just unfortunate that it took something like a betrayal, an affair and loss of trust to become the woman with a voice and to be heard.
Amanda's writing style was magnificent and I love it! The Girl in the Corner moved at just the right pace. I knew what was happening at all times and I loved the ending! I'll definitely have to look out for more from Amanda.

Emotional read

I guess The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse could be considered a realistic read, I just found it too much of a downer. Rae and therefore the book, waited way too long for her to find happiness.
I received an advance reader copy via Nethally.

Another great book by Amanda. I have loved all her books and this is no exception. A lovely storyline that shows sometimes it can be easier to go with the flow and be the one that doesn’t want to rock the boat but sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself even if it’s not what everyone wants or expects. How one moment can destroy love and friendships, I think we can all relate to that at some point. Bring on the next book.

The Girl in the Corner is a beautiful book about, love, relationships, chance, and choices. Sometimes we believe we are making our own choices and sometimes it feels as if choices are being made for us. This is a beautifully well written story about Rae-Valentine and Howard who were childhood sweethearts and are preparing to celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary when that very night Howard shares a shocking secret to Rae-Valentine.

Understandingly heartbroken, Rae-Valenitne takes Dolly, Howard's sister who fixed them up on what was supposed to be her anniversary vacation on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and it turns into a girls vacation. Howard arrives trying to patch things up, but is it too late?

This book gave me ALL THE FEELS! It is so well crafted and pulled me in from the first sentence. The characters are so complex and well defined. This book takes you places your heart doesn't want to go but are so glad they went there. I highly recommend this book .

I’ve yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t like. This one didn’t disappoint. Lovely storyline and lovely characters. I loved it. Highly recommend this one.

The Girl In The Corner by Amanda Prowse

Yet another wonderful page turner by this wonderful author, Amanda Prowse.
I was hooked within mere pages, wanting to read the story of the rather exotically named Rae Valentine, who had an extremely unexotic life.
Much like a lot of women out there, Rae Valentine finds herself in an almost prescribed role of wife, mother, carer, cook, cleaner, general dogsbody, then a shock admission from her husband sends her life spinning off axis.
Will she forgive him?
Will she sink back into that corner, content to be an observer, and the good old Rae Valentine expects, or will she finally take her own steps into the centre of the room?
Beautiful, believable writing, hinting at a life we can relate to, a person we probably know, and an ending that has left me wanting Amanda to get writing on a sequel!


Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This title is expected for publication in December 2018.

HOW DOES SHE DO IT?! Amanda Prowse has once again written a wonderfully evocative book that feels as though she has delved into my soul, creating characters and scenarios that will speak to so many women out there. Be warned that the tears will fall and for me personally, a scene at about 60% into the storyline absolutely broke me.

Rae-Valentine is a woman that I know many of us will relate to. The “girl in the corner”, the people pleaser who hates confrontation and is always there for her family, putting their happiness at the top of her priorities. But Rae-Valentine discovers something terrible on the night of her 25th wedding anniversary that sends her off on a journey of “self rediscovery” with her very best friend Dolly. And as she relaxes, looking back at the decisions she has made during her life, she re-evaluates the person she has become versus the woman she thought she would be.

Every woman will take something from this insightful domestic drama. Amanda Prowse has an in-depth understanding of how women react to the various ups and downs of married life and is able to portray the full spectrum of emotions that come with relationships. She creates relatable and realistic characters and is able to weave convincingly authentic plots around them. But what she does best is being able to pull out all those feelings in her readers that they didn’t even know were hiding in them! And this is why she is the First Lady of contemporary women’s fiction! For me personally, it was like looking at my own experiences reflected back at me and that hit me hard! I think that’s why I wanted more for Rae, for her to break out of her mould and create the life that would mean putting herself first-with or without the people who have always surrendered her.

I loved this book. It’s probably my most favourite that Amanda Prowse has written in recent years and I had a major book hangover when I finished it. Plus very red eyes!

Highly recommended by me!

Really enjoyed this book - definitely could empathise with Rae - Valentine and many of the relationships issues involved. Good narrative with a twist in the tale at the last moment.