The Last Honest Woman by Nora Roberts

Now, after reading something so heavy (like Wolf Hall) and then something mad (like Fear and Loathing) I needed to give my brain a big break. So what did I choose? A sure thing - a Nora Roberts. The Last Honest Woman is the first in the O'Hurley series and follows the middle triplet (of the O'Hurley triplets) Abby. Abby is a race car driver's widow, with two young sons, struggling to get her horse breeding business up and running. But for reasons that aren't just to do with money, but her own sons' memories of their father, she agrees to an authorised biography of her ex. This also includes having the writer, Dylan, come to stay at her home for a few weeks. Harmless, she thinks, she hasn't felt anything for a man in a long time...

But, Abby wasn't prepared for Dylan. While in the beginning you quickly figure out that the race car driver was not only a terrible husband, but a negligent father and that Abby is only trying to protect her sons, Dylan is hardly like-able. I wanted to protect Abby from him, until Nora worked her magic and showed that true love (in Nora Robert World) can bring out any man's true kindness. Dylan goes from writer in residence to care-giver. Abby's character is one of the best Nora has crafted, being both strong-willed and inspiring, she is a woman who lives with her mistakes and focuses on how to make the world better for her children.

As with all Nora's this book has it's ups and downs and proves that honesty is always best, especially when two people fall in love.

Final verdict, if you love a bit of Nora have a look through her back catalogue, it is a foray of genius and you get to read the first of those recycled story-lines, which is always a bonus. A great book to cleanse the palate, before embarking on your next epic (War and Peace?) - but watch out, this is a quartet so try and resist the wonderful next book, about the youngest O'Hurley triplet and her adventures on and off the Broadway stage!

Also, a quick bit about the cover I have chosen: How brilliant is this? A classic cover that you hardly see anymore. The cover of my actual book (I must confess it was the 2-in-1 O'Hurley's Born) pales in comparison. Let's bring those old covers back! Whenever I review a Nora again I will include not only the cover of the book I am reading, but the vintage cover as well! Enjoy.