The Couple On The Green - Avie Bennett
Published: 13/11/13
Publisher: Avie Bennett
Pages: 352
Today I am excited to bring you a review for Avie's blog tour.
The Couple On The Green explores the notion of first love and second chances. We follow Isobel and James' story as they navigate a lifetime of attachment to each other with numerous obstacles standing in their way.
The book begins with Isobel and James as young teenagers, head over heels in 'love' and being foolish teenagers in love. Having far too much sex (yes, I think you can have too much!) and behaving in a way I felt inappropriate for their age. I would have never had sex in a wood when I was 15, maybe that's just me?! But it felt like these two teenagers were far too sexually active for their age and their whole relationship seemed to revolve around their physical connection. Granted, they both claim to love each other deeply and when James proposes, Isobel can't believe her luck.
Fast forward a few years later and James and Isobel are no longer together and each is getting on with their own life, however they still can't forget each other. Everyday Isobel thinks about James.
Fast forward many years later to when both James and Isobel are married and have their own families and children. When they suddenly find each other again, there are irrepressible feelings from both sides but with the lives that they now lead, there is no room for each other. Do the two walk away from each other forever or hold onto the love that they've never let go?
So as briefly touched on above, it seemed a lot of the focus on the pairs relationship and the subsequent ones they found themselves in was sex. I'm no prude and nor am I disputing the fact sex is healthy for any relationship but at times it felt as though these characters had no other motivations other than sex, there seemed to be descriptions of emotions few and far between and instead of the couples being able to spend time together outside of the bedroom, it seemed that the bedroom was the easiest place to write them.
I also had a little trouble with the descriptions of the sex, it wasn't romantic or loving, it was humiliating for Isobel and was uncomfortable to read.
I also had a little trouble with the idea that every single day of her life Isobel thought about James; even though she had her own life, a husband and children. I find it so hard to fathom and comprehend how she would always think about him. Perhaps I just haven't even been in love so strongly before! However, it meant I found it hard to sympathise with her as a character, I almost wanted to slap her and tell her to get a grip!
The final thing I struggled with was the portrayal of men in this novel. I didn't like a single one apart from Isobel's gay friend Tom. The rest of the men were repulsive, selfish, abusive and controlling. I couldn't form any kind of connection with any of them which was difficult. However, I am not sure if this was the desired effect the author was hoping for?
For all these little gripes I had with the book, I did like many aspects. I loved Sarah, Isobel's friend. I always looked forward to scenes with her in, she definitely was a grounding influence on Isobel and was the voice of reason. I liked the fact Avie showed that love isn't always a straight forward road and that often sacrifices and compromises have to be made. It was refreshing to read a love story that was full of disaster and confusion rather than perfect happiness.
The pace was really great and as the book progressed I found it harder and harder to put down; I was desperate to find out how events would pan out and what would happen next and especially if James and Isobel really were made for each other.
Avie's writing was really engaging and I liked the way we saw the story from multiple view points but through an omniscient narrator that led to no character bias. I really liked that aspect, I found I could trust what I was being told and could see everyone's point of view.
For every negative word I had to say about this book there was always a positive one in return so I found it so hard to decide what to give this out of 5 stars. I was veering towards four stars but then I thought that it deserved more 3 and a half so I have given this book 3 and a half stars!
Publisher: Avie Bennett
Pages: 352
Today I am excited to bring you a review for Avie's blog tour.
The Couple On The Green explores the notion of first love and second chances. We follow Isobel and James' story as they navigate a lifetime of attachment to each other with numerous obstacles standing in their way.
The book begins with Isobel and James as young teenagers, head over heels in 'love' and being foolish teenagers in love. Having far too much sex (yes, I think you can have too much!) and behaving in a way I felt inappropriate for their age. I would have never had sex in a wood when I was 15, maybe that's just me?! But it felt like these two teenagers were far too sexually active for their age and their whole relationship seemed to revolve around their physical connection. Granted, they both claim to love each other deeply and when James proposes, Isobel can't believe her luck.
Fast forward a few years later and James and Isobel are no longer together and each is getting on with their own life, however they still can't forget each other. Everyday Isobel thinks about James.
Fast forward many years later to when both James and Isobel are married and have their own families and children. When they suddenly find each other again, there are irrepressible feelings from both sides but with the lives that they now lead, there is no room for each other. Do the two walk away from each other forever or hold onto the love that they've never let go?
So as briefly touched on above, it seemed a lot of the focus on the pairs relationship and the subsequent ones they found themselves in was sex. I'm no prude and nor am I disputing the fact sex is healthy for any relationship but at times it felt as though these characters had no other motivations other than sex, there seemed to be descriptions of emotions few and far between and instead of the couples being able to spend time together outside of the bedroom, it seemed that the bedroom was the easiest place to write them.
I also had a little trouble with the descriptions of the sex, it wasn't romantic or loving, it was humiliating for Isobel and was uncomfortable to read.
I also had a little trouble with the idea that every single day of her life Isobel thought about James; even though she had her own life, a husband and children. I find it so hard to fathom and comprehend how she would always think about him. Perhaps I just haven't even been in love so strongly before! However, it meant I found it hard to sympathise with her as a character, I almost wanted to slap her and tell her to get a grip!
The final thing I struggled with was the portrayal of men in this novel. I didn't like a single one apart from Isobel's gay friend Tom. The rest of the men were repulsive, selfish, abusive and controlling. I couldn't form any kind of connection with any of them which was difficult. However, I am not sure if this was the desired effect the author was hoping for?
For all these little gripes I had with the book, I did like many aspects. I loved Sarah, Isobel's friend. I always looked forward to scenes with her in, she definitely was a grounding influence on Isobel and was the voice of reason. I liked the fact Avie showed that love isn't always a straight forward road and that often sacrifices and compromises have to be made. It was refreshing to read a love story that was full of disaster and confusion rather than perfect happiness.
The pace was really great and as the book progressed I found it harder and harder to put down; I was desperate to find out how events would pan out and what would happen next and especially if James and Isobel really were made for each other.
Avie's writing was really engaging and I liked the way we saw the story from multiple view points but through an omniscient narrator that led to no character bias. I really liked that aspect, I found I could trust what I was being told and could see everyone's point of view.
For every negative word I had to say about this book there was always a positive one in return so I found it so hard to decide what to give this out of 5 stars. I was veering towards four stars but then I thought that it deserved more 3 and a half so I have given this book 3 and a half stars!
Laura