The Love of My Life

‘I miss him with every breath and heartbeat. He should have been my happy ending. Instead, he is the sad beginning to my story.’

When Olivia and Luca fell in love as teenagers and eloped to London, they broke the hearts of those closest to them. Luca’s parents run Marinella’s restaurant, the colourful hub of life in an otherwise bleak seaside town, and his mother, Angela, has never forgiven Olivia for causing such a rift in her beloved family.

On a freezing January night Olivia’s life is shattered when she learns that Luca has been killed in a car accident. Left with nothing, and gripped by an overwhelming grief, Olivia abandons her job and returns home to where Luca has been buried just to be close to him – even though she knows she will not be welcome.

Facing her past and Luca’s family is not easy. When Olivia meets Luca’s married twin brother, Marc, she discovers a man experiencing a loss almost as painful as her own. Their desolation draws them into an affair which both know has no future, but fills the space where Luca should be. And when it spirals out of control, the consequences are both explosive and cruel…

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE is a beautiful novel that portrays both the innocence of childhood, and the dynamics of love and loss with deftness and sensitivity. It is, above all, a stunning debut from an author with a unique and natural narrative voice.

Requests from reviewers in the US and Canada only, please.

‘Sad and lovely. I'm now having trouble finding a book good enough to fill the very deep hole she's left’ Milly Johnson

‘It was a joy to read, and I just couldn't put it down. I was desperate to find out what had happened between Olivia and the Felicone's, and the story which led up to this was so detailed and well told, you felt like you were right in the middle of it with Olivia. An amazing debut, and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone. Superb.’ Chick Lit Chloe

‘Wow, this book completely blew me away, it is definitely the best book that I have read so far this year. This is Louise Douglas' debut novel which is hard to believe as you read it due to how accomplished the writing is.’ Dot Scribbles

'It's beautifully written and, despite the tragic storyline, makes compelling and ultimately uplifting reading.' Western Daily Press

‘Louise Douglas has written a brilliant book full of raw emotion; she has the skill to really draw the reader into the lives of the characters and take them on a journey with her.’ Chick Lit Club