Book Review: Her Frozen Heart by Lulu Taylor

Publication date: 30 November 2017

I received a review copy from publisher Pan MacMillan via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Book description:

Caitlyn, there’s something I have to tell you. About Sara.

Caitlyn thinks her marriage to Patrick is a success. For one thing, he is one of the few people not to fall head over heels for her beautiful friend, Sara. Life is lived on his terms, but they are happy.

Aren’t they?

When a devastating accident turns her existence upside down, Caitlyn is forced to reassess everything she thought about her marriage, what she truly knows about Patrick, and his real feelings for her best friend. In the refuge of an old manor house, she begins to discover the truth.

In 1947, the worst winter in decades hits England, cutting off entirely the inhabitants of Kings Harcourt Manor. For Tommy Carter, widowed at the start of war, it is particularly hard: the burden of the family falls on her. She has the solace of her children, and the interesting presence of her brother’s friend, Fred. But there is also Barbara, a mysterious figure from her past who appears to want a piece of Tommy’s future as well.

My review:

This is a cleverly written tale of two women in separate time frames: 1940s post war England and the 21st century in the same area of the country.  Caitlyn and Patrick have what would appear to be a perfect life. Happy marriage, nice house, young son. Post war England and Tommy is a widow living with family in a big house, struggling to keep their heads above water in times of strict rationing and hard work.
The similarities between the two women soon become clear when Patrick is killed in a car accident whilst on the phone to Caitlyn.  Both have to dig deep to find inner strength they don't know whether they have. Both have to deal with secrets within their marriages - Tommy is aware of the secrets in her marriage and becoming a widow is a blessed relief to her, whereas Caitlyn only discovers the secrets within her marriage after Patrick's death and she is left to try and work out what was the truth and what people will do and say to try and tarnish her happy memories.  They each find out that not everyone is out to support you, and sometimes those you have known longest are the ones who have the longest held grudges.  There are some great characters in this novel, some are lovely - notably Fred Burton Brown, who is the most genuine man ever - and some are really unpleasant - Caitlyn's "friend" Sara.
I really wasn't sure how the two storylines would entwine and this is my only disappointment with the book.  I felt it was a very weak connection and had hoped for something rather more exciting. 
Overall a nice read, with the descriptions of the severe weather and hardships in 1947 really well described and a great story of trusting your gut instinct when it comes to sussing out people's intentions and personalities.

About the author:

Lulu was brought up in the Oxfordshire countryside, attended a girls’ school and then went to Oxford University, where she read English Literature. After university, she worked in publishing for several years, before becoming a novelist.

Lulu says of her books: ‘I’ve always adored stories of the rich and reckless at play, everything from The Great Gatsby to the brilliant blockbuster novels of the 80s. It’s fantastic escapism, and I’ve always loved creating my own stories of adventure, romance and luxury. My heroines are often very privileged and blessed with great looks and good health – but that doesn’t mean their lives are simple – far from it. They go through plenty of drama and suffering before everything is finally resolved.It’s all about entertaining and amusing the reader, and enjoying being inside my characters’ glamorous, rarefied existence. ‘I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys reading my book as much I enjoyed writing it.’

Lulu is married and lives in London