Laura Pearson

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson was a lovely story. We are immediately drawn into the world of Mabel and Arthur, a married couple in their eighties who, on the surface appear to be the ideal couple. However, Mabel quickly sets us right on that as she reveals that she has never been the wife that Arthur deserves. When Arthur gently passes away, Mabel is left floundering and wondering what she is going to do now. Arthur had always been a list maker and when Mabel finds one of his last lists she makes it her own to complete.

Unknown to Mabel, Arthur had arranged for a carer to come in and support her in the months following his death, and this care-giver, Julie, becomes a great friend and the first member of Mabel’s new found family. In the months following, she meets a few more women of varying ages and together they embark on a journey of friendship, loss, hope and renewal as these women support, nourish and guide one another.

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont with it’s message of “it’s never too late” was a heart-warming story that had just enough vinegar added to keep it from becoming too sweet. The writing was seamless and the characters were on the most part well developed and well rounded. This was a relatable story for me and an encouragement to step out of one’s comfort zone and see what life has to offer no matter what your age is.… (plus d'informations)

Shelley wakes up in a hospital bed, she believes that her husband has pushed her down the stairs. He has a history of being violent towards her and Shelley is scared. The medical staff are really supportive but seem reluctant to tell Shelley anything, only her friend Dee and the kind volunteer, Matt, reassure her. Then Shelley discovers that it's not 2017 as she thought, but 2024, what has happened in the seven years she is missing?
Pearson's books are very gentle and easy to read and here she deals with a sensitive topic in a sympathetic way. By placing Shelley's experiences in a memory situation, the violence is not graphic but is hard-hitting and the writing does not downplay anything. In the end the book is supportive and I can forgive the very 'fairytale' ending.… (plus d'informations)

Shelley Woodhouse wakes up from a coma with injuries she claims to have sustained after a violent confrontation with her husband. With only Dee, her friend and coworker from the pub Shelley runs, and a kind hospital volunteer named Matt as her only outside visitors, she doesn’t have much input into what is going on outside her hospital room. She is surprised that the police haven't approached her for a statement and the hospital staff and Dee aren't giving straight answers to her probing questions. Despite her conviction about the events that led to her hospitalization, she senses that something is off, compounded by flashes of memories that seem unreal to her. As the narrative progresses, we follow Shelley as she tries to reclaim her memories and fill in the blank spaces, embarking on a journey of hope and healing in order to move forward.

The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson is a well-written novel that delves into the issue of domestic violence and how the same impacts not only victims but also their friends and family members. The story emphasizes the importance of a support system for those who carry the emotional scars of abuse long after their physical wounds might have healed. The author paints a heartbreaking picture of the social and emotional factors that prevent victims from breaking the cycle of domestic violence. This is a sensitive issue and the author addresses it with maturity and compassion. The narrative is presented from past and present timelines – “Then” and “Now”- in alternating chapters. The past timeline allows us to get to know more about Shelley’s backstory, her childhood and the events leading up to her hospitalization while the present timeline follows Shelley as she interacts with those around her. The author deftly weaves the two timelines into a well-paced fluid narrative. Shelley is an endearing protagonist who you would not hesitate to cheer on, though you might question a few of her choices. It was heartbreaking reading about Shelley’s pain and confusion, but you have to admire her resolve and her kindness toward others. The supporting characters are well-fleshed-out (even those you would be inclined to dislike). There was one particular aspect revealed toward the end of the novel that I found terribly unrealistic and virtually impossible in the real world, but I’ll refrain from going on about that here (despite my eye-rolling and vigorous head-shaking reaction to the same). I wasn’t completely surprised by a few of the revelations (there were enough hints strewn throughout the narrative) but I did enjoy following Shelley’s journey and was happy that the author chose to end the story on a positive note.

"Whether you’re aware of it or not, you all know women whose lives have been affected by domestic violence."

This is my second time reading Laura Pearson after The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, which I loved, and I’m eager to read more from her in the future. Many thanks to the publisher for the digital copy of the short story A Chance Encounter which as the name suggests revolves around a chance meeting between Shelley and a character we met in Mabel’s story.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on April 6, 2024.… (plus d'informations)