Grab a glass of wine and a box of tissues - this is one of those teary reads. I really loved Messy, Wonderful Us. A moving story that pulls at your heartstrings, I really enjoyed this look at those messy love moments that shape us. With great characters, a wonderful pace and some beautifully lyrical moments, Messy, Wonderful Us is a delightful contemporary that will have you all in your feels. 4 stars.

Messy Wonderful Us is a wonderful exploration of the love that exists between family, friends and significant others and how complicated and messy it can be and the dark undercurrents that can derail these relationships. I was utterly charmed by it’s intriguing characters and the self-discovery they undergo and the delightful Italian setting. With writing so beautifully vivid and descriptive, I was transported back to Italy and could easily picture myself walking through the picturesque villages, exploring the coastline & countryside and delighting in the wonderful food and wine, just as the main characters Allie and Ed do.

Messy Wonderful Us is a fantastic read for those who love emotional family dramas and romance. The reader is taken on a journey through the past and the present with the story slowly unfolding from the perspectives of Allie, Ed and an un-named female, as childhood friends Allie and Ed journey to uncover Allie’s family secrets whilst also dealing with Ed’s marriage breakdown. Catherine Isaac definitely had me absorbed in her story, turning the pages quickly and I was very much invested in how it would all end for everyone. My favourite part of Messy Wonderful Us was definitely peeling back the layers of Allie and Ed’s friendship, which was done in such a tender and heartwarming way. This was my first Catherine Isaac novel and I can’t wait to dive into You, Me Everything next.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for review.

4.5 stars

Set in the UK and Italy in the present time. Allie is an academic research scientist. She is sure of her place in her family is happily surrounded by love from her father and grandparents until the day she accidentally finds an old newspaper article and secret letter.
Allie’s grandmother refuses to talk about the letter and forbids Allie from talking to her grandfather and father about the letter and newspaper article. Allie plans to travel to Italy to find the truth about the newspaper article and secret letter but she does not speak Italian.
Ed is an old school friend of Allie’s and he is having marriage trouble and needs time away from his wife Julia but does not want to be alone, so he offers to travel to Italy with Allie.
This was about relationships, friendship and family secrets.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving my request to read this novel.
It is a carefully constructed book that manages to weave itself successfully, through different POV's within the past and present. It's unpredictable, compelling and touches on topics usually left alone.
Friendship and family are the backbone to this tale, making it heartfelt and sincere; a sad but lovely read.