Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the tour for Shari Low’s book What Now? Shari’s books always bring a smile on my face and brighten my day, although they are also realistic and relatable. So what is this latest book about?
What Now?
The follow-up sequel to the bestselling ‘What If?’ from Shari Low
Twenty years ago, Carly Cooper went on an epic quest to track down all the men she’d ever loved and lost in the hope that one of them was her Mr Right.
Now, two decades and two teenage sons later, she thinks she might have got it all wrong.
As the years have passed, lots of things have changed, leaving Carly asking ‘What Now?’
With a divorce and an empty nest on the horizon, Carly sets off once more to Los Angeles with her band of trusty girlfriends, to find the carefree, wild and adventurous Carly Cooper that she used to be.
On this latest quest, Carly discovers a few home truths and has to decide If her marriage is worth saving or is there a new happy-ever-after out there, just waiting for her…
My thoughts:
A couple of months ago I reviewed What if? which was the first book Shari wrote. Set in late 80s and 90s, it was an unforgettabe story of looking for second chances and true love, families and friendships, throwing all the caution to the wind and trying to find Mr Right, because yes,every gilr deserves finding one. If you haven’t read the first book, stop reading this review immediately and pick the book!
In What Now? we are back into Carly Cooper’s world. Twenty years later. And well, not everything has worked out for our fun-loving heroine. She has two fabulous teenage sons and sometimes wonders how lucky she is to have them. She still has her family of choice: her loyal friends, their partners and their offspring (yes, the parties these ones throw are as noisy and full of joy as you can imagine). On the minus side, her marriage is on the rocks. Her soon to be ex-husband (not naming him on the off chance you still haven’t read the previous book) and Carly still respect each other and will always be there for their kids, but it turns out that too much work and not enough time dedicated to your family isn’t a recipe for a marital bliss.
Carly’s friends and her one of a kind aunt Val tell her Carly has changed. She has lost her spark and spontaneity. Yes, life in general and having kids makes us grow up and start weighing all the pros and cons before making a decision. But overthinking things doesn’t mean the course of action we take is going to be the right one, or the only right one. Carly Cooper is off on a journey again!
Shari Low knows how to create interesting characters. Even if it’s a secondary one and we get just a glimpse of their life, it is still fascinating. Carly is blessed with a large group of friends, so the cast is quite large, but they are all diverse and unique, and complement each other to create a most colourful patchwork of life. One of her original friends has passed away and we feel how she is mourned and remembered every day.
The age group Carly and her friends belong to -late forties-early fifties- is one of the most uderrepresented ones. It is as if once you settled down and had kids, you are just supposed to get on with your routine and keep quiet. You can’t even complain about your changing body and raging perimenopausal hormones or feel you betrayed your true identity by not pursuing your dreams. What about your relationship with your own aging parents? Don’t even start me on thinking that things were a whole lot simpler before your kids became teenagers.
What Now? is a great sequel to Shari’s first book. Perhaps, a bit more realistic, but still as entertaining. In case, you are wondering, there is a happily ever after, but it isn’t just the destination that counts, it’s the journey!
Thank you to Rachel, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy. All opinions aremy own and were not influenced in any way.
Author Bio –
Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 25 novels, including One Day In Summer and My One Month Marriage and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.
Social Media Links –
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Thank you for stopping by and reading the post. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! Take care of your loved ones!
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Both story and characters sounds so realistic and relatable. I can’t imagine how much life changes with the age. wonderful review!
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Thank you, Yesha! I guess (I hope) we’ll find out how it does…
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Thank you so much for this wonderful review of What Now? – so delighted you enjoyed both your visits to Carly’s world! #whatif? #whatnow? #loveyourblog!
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Thank you very much for your wonderful books, Shari!
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I didn’t realize that What If was the first book she wrote. I definitely want to read or listen to both What If and What Now. Wonderful review Toni. I Iike that the character ages between the two books and is more representative of the people probably reading this book.
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It must be more representative – you are right. She has got so many faithful fans over the twenty years of her career, and keeps adding new ones, of course.
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