A Year and a Day by Isabelle Broom

A Year and a Day was published by Michael Joseph Books on 17th November 2016. My thanks to the Author and Publisher for the review copy.

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story about love and life in one of Europe's most romantic cities, Prague.

Welcome to a city where wishes are everywhere

For Megan, a winter escape to Prague with her friend Ollie is a chance to find some inspiration for her upcoming photography exhibition. But she's determined to keep their friendship from becoming anything more. Because if Megan lets Ollie find out about her past, she risks losing everything - and she won't let that happen again . . .

For Hope, the trip is a surprise treat from Charlie, her new partner. But she's struggling to enjoy the beauty of the city when she knows how angry her daughter is back home. And that it's all her fault . . .

For Sophie, the city has always been a magical place. This time she can't stop counting down the moments until her boyfriend Robin joins her. But in historic Prague you can never escape the past . . .

Three different women.

Three intertwining love stories.

One unforgettable, timeless city.

My Thoughts:

This novel was engaging and captivating from the outset. Set in Prague, this city seemed to hold the magic and was the perfect place for the story to be set. I have been to Prague and I loved it, it is one of the most interesting places I have been and I think it is a special place. 

This is a story of love in its various stages and about friendship and relationships. Centered around three couples who meet in the hotel bar. They formed a group bond throughout their trip and would join up now and again. 

The characters in this story are all very well written but are all different, this book mainly focuses on the three women. Megan is a keen photographer and that is her passion and seemingly the only thing she is interested in. Hope is having a rocky time, she has lost herself, is Prague the place where that changes, can she be inspired to find herself. Finally Sophie, throughout the story there is a melancholy and wistfulness about her. She is absolutely devoted to Robin and he is due to join her at the end of the trip. Is everything with her as it seems?

I loved the way that these characters and their stories came to life in those restaurants, bars and on the streets of Prague I could really visualise myself being there. There is a magic and a spark about this novel that makes it very special indeed. 

This book examines thoughts and feelings that we all have at life defining moments when we take stock of where we are and what the future might hold. 

I wasn't expecting to be as emotionally invested in this story but it swept me up and at times I had a lump in my throat. It is a beautiful read to curl up with at this time of year.

This author has a previous novel out called My Map of You, how lucky am I that I haven't read that one and still have some more to read.

Pure and delightful escapism that was well written and beautiful, what is not to like. 

About the Author:

Isabelle Broom was born in Cambridge nine days before the 1980s began and studied Media Arts at the University of West London before starting a career first in local newspapers and then as a junior sub-editor at heat magazine. She travelled through Europe during her gap year and went to live on the Greek island of Zakynthos for an unforgettable and lifeshaping six months after completing her degree. Since then, she has travelled to Canada, Sri Lanka, Sicily, New York, LA, the Canary Islands, Spain and lots more of Greece, but her wanderlust was reined in when she met Max, a fluffy little Bolognese puppy desperate for a home. When she's not writing novels set in far-flung locations, Isabelle spends her time being the Book Reviews Editor at heat magazine and walking her beloved dog round the parks of north London. 

You can follow her on Twitter @Isabelle_Broom or find her on Facebook under Isabelle Broom Author.