ONE GLASS IS NEVER ENOUGH
Jane
Wenham-Jones
Accent Press
ISBN: 19051 70106
2005
 |
ONE
GLASS IS NEVER ENOUGH
Written by
Jane Wenham-Jones
Somebody once said, wisely, that often “a change is as good as a
rest”. So without further ado, here is a review that is not –
in any way – related to Crime fiction. Laugh out loud funny in places,
this is a novel that smacks of Sex In The City, Desperate
Housewives and just a little of Six Feet Under done with
the class, understated style and fun that only Brits can possibly manage.
Three women, one bar and three different reasons for buying it. Single
mother Sarah needs a home for her children, Claire’s an ambitious
business woman and for wealthy Gaynor, Greens Wine Bar is just one more
amusement. Or is it?
On the surface, Gaynor has it all –
money, looks, a beautiful home in the picturesque seaside town of Broadstairs,
and Victor – her generous, successful husband. But while Sarah
longs for love and Claire is making money, Gaynor wants answers. Why
is Victor behaving strangely and who does he see on his frequent trips
away? What’s behind the threatening phone-calls? As the bar takes
off, Gaynor’s life starts to fall apart. Into her turmoil comes
Sam – strong and silent with a hidden past. Theirs is an unlikely
friendship but then nobody is quite what they seem in this tale of love,
loss and betrayal set against the dream of owning a wine bar. As Gaynor’s
confusion grows, events unfold that will change all of their lives forever.
With a pace that is sustained throughout
and a writing style that is eminently readable, Jane Wenham-Jones
has delivered a winner. There is so much feeling in this book that,
when they arrive, the laughs it contains act almost like a pressure
valve releasing the frustrations that the reader builds within themselves,
on behalf of the excellent characters. The scenario of three women from
such different backgrounds is so well described, it is possible to “see”
Greens Wine Bar, taste the drinks and smell the food, so well is the
atmosphere drawn and so mischievous are the author’s attempts
at luring the reader along disguised paths until the conclusion is made
apparent.
Overall, this a is a clear, well-written, uplifting, demoralising, funny, sad, insightful, thought provoking novel that should be read and re-read once JWJ’s two previous books have been read and re-read in turn.
“Some
great reviews here!”
Jane
Wenham-Jones 2006
Order this book online - Linghams Booksellers
break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.