I enjoyed Ms. Petrie's writing style, the characters were great and I enjoyed reading this book. I look forward to more from the author.

In a word: Predictable.

Literally every detail in Jan Turk Petrie's Towards the Vanishing Point landed with a blatantly obvious thud, a fact which undermined the dramatic intensity the novel was supposed to exude. I might have enjoyed the story despite this if the characters or atmosphere been more deeply developed, but the realities proved too simple and flat for my tastes.

Not for me and not something I see myself recommending in future.

This book was ok. It wasn't one that consumed me, as I found the author lost momentum when introducing the character of Will. I would have enjoyed this more if it had just focused on Lily and Stella's friendship and the life events that influence it, such as Stella keeping her baby in a time when it was unacceptable for a single woman to raise a child. I think that the author tried to fit too much into this book by adding the mystery of Will's past and his relationship with Lily. I feel that it would have been better to just write this as historical fiction focusing on the time period and the friendship between these two women.

Several times I've wished that there was a two-star system in NetGalley - the first for the quality of writing, general descriptions and characterisations and the other for the story. This is one of those times. Writing is good and deserves 4 stars. Story not so - a third of the book covers the growing up, from 10 years old to about 17, of two girls from a northern town somewhere, during the war - their hopes, coping with parents, bombings, family members away in the services, rations and, for Stella, teenage pregnancy. Moving into the late 40s and early 50s their friendship continues and a horrible abusive, manipulative husband is for Lily. She's his third wife but that rings no bells. The predictable occurs and Stella comes to the rescue at the end. She is definitely the 'better' character - brave (keeping her baby), resilient (coping with society's response to this) and persistent. However, the story dragged for me and hence a 2-star storyline only. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Towards the Vanishing Point tells the story of two best friends that grew up together in England in the late 1930’s. The story unfolds with one of them, Stella, getting pregnant at a young age and the trials and tribulations of deciding to keep her son, in spite of her parents wishes. Years later, her friend, Lily, falls for a man named Will who has already lost his two prior wives in suspicious circumstances. Lily marries him to everyone’s dismay. The story of Lily and Stella is enjoyable, but once Will enters the book seems to go off the rails and lose its way. Thank you to Jan Turk Petrie, Pintail Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Towards the Vanishing Point is a book that is all about friendship. One of the things of note, is a book written from the perspective of the 30s. Due to this, it was a slower read for me because I had to look up some of the older-English words to make sure that I was understanding what was being said. I REALLY liked when the girls found the book in Lily's Mom's room. I could see myself doing that searching through my mom's room as well. This helped to make the story relatable to myself.

This book does change perspectives from Stella to Lily, but that is labeled at the beginning of every chapter - so it is easy to follow whose perspective the chapter is coming from. I also could use a different voice in my head for who that chapter was about.

Lily gets into a relationship and then marriage with Will, and that is when things start to go wrong. What happens after that is the mystery and purpose of the book. Will Stella help Lily in time?