GIRL IN BETWEEN by Anna Daniels – Book Review, Author Post & Giveaway

Today we welcome author Anna Daniels to Booklover Book Reviews to share with us why she chose London as one of the settings for her debut novel Girl in Between.

Our brief review of this novel and an opportunity for you to win a copy thanks to Allen & Unwin then follows.

Girl in Between Synopsis:

Life can be tricky when you’re a girl in between relationships, careers and cities … and sometimes you have to face some uncomfortable truths. The sparkling debut from comic TV and radio presenter, Anna Daniels.

Lucy Crighton has just moved in with some gregarious housemates called Brian and Denise . . . who are her parents. She’s also the proud mother of Glenda, her beloved 10-year-old . . . kelpie. And she has absolutely no interest in the dashing son of her parents’ new next-door neighbour . . . well, maybe just a little . . .

As the girl in between relationships, careers and cities, Lucy is facing some awkward truths – like her mum’s obsession with Cher, her father’s unsolicited advice, and the probability there’s more cash on the floor of her parents’ car than in her own bank account. Thank goodness for Lucy’s crazy-but-wonderful best friend, Rosie, who’s around to cushion reality with wild nights at the local Whipcrack Hotel, escapades in Japanese mud baths, and double dating under the Christmas lights in London.

But will Lucy work out what she really wants to do in life – and who she wants to share it with
Girl in Between is a warm, funny, charmingly Australian story about life at the crossroads. Featuring an endearing and irrepressible cast of characters, it will have you chuckling from start to finish.

Girl in Between by Anna Daniels is published by Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99, available now.

London Calling! by Anna Daniels

Have you had a one or two year stint in London?

I worked there in 2005/06, which feels like forever ago, but recently I hopped on a plane and went back…this time to research and write the ‘London chapters’ of my book, Girl in Between.

For me, London is a city in which I immediately feel comfortable, and even though eleven years had passed, when I stepped out at Heathrow airport last October, I knew instantly that old Blighty and I were still great mates!

I chose to include London as a major setting in my book because living and working there is an experience which many Aussies are familiar with, and it’s generally a period of time in your life when you’re carefree and in your twenties.

Lucy and Rosie, the besties in Girl in Between, had both lived it up in London when they were twenty-five, and now, in their early thirties, they look back on their UK sojourn with great nostalgia.

‘Can you ever relive that first-time experience? Those Bruce Springsteen ‘Glory Days’?’ Lucy asks Rosie this question one afternoon in Rockhampton, sparking a chain of events which I will not spoil for you here!

Needless to say, I had a ball writing my London chapters whilst visiting London. I rented an Air bnb room from a lovely English couple in a terrace just a stone’s throw from Battersea Park. My room had large rectangular windows which let in lots of light, and an enormous, wooden writing desk against the wall! Heaven!

London will always be special to me, and I’m thrilled that the London skyline actually features on the cover… falling down as a silhouette, always reminding us in Australia that it’s still there!

Best wishes, Anna x

BOOK REVIEW

While Lucy’s waywardness in life and romance, along with hijinks perpetrated by her gal-pal Rosie delivered moments of amusement and heart, it was Lucy’s parents that I most adored. It is through these characters, the eccentric Denise and salt of the earth Brian, that Anna Daniels’ comedic talents really shine. She writes great dialogue. Their hilariously dry exchanges and regional flair brought a smile/chuckle each and every time. Less compelling for me were her protagonists’ bouts of career indecision and will-they won’t-they romantic journey.

Ultimately though, Girl in Between is an enjoyable read – most successful as a love-letter to friendship, family, time and place… about not clinging to that which will inevitably end, and instead better appreciating those special moments, wherever and whenever they occur.

BOOK RATING: The Story 3 / 5 ;  The Writing 4 / 5  — Overall 3.5

Get your copy of Girl in Between from:

Booktopia(Aus/NZ) | Amazon | iTunes | Bookworld(Aus) | Book Depository

Genre: Romance, Drama, ChickLit

This review counts towards my participation in the Aussie Author Challenge 2017 and 2017 Australian Women Writers Challenge.

About the Author, Anna Daniels

Anna Daniels has enjoyed great success as a comedic storyteller since kicking off her career by winning the ABC’s ‘Comedy Segment of the Year Award’ for an interview with Russell Crowe. She then went on to co-create the ABC’s first online sketch comedy series ‘Tough at the Top’ with Melbourne comedian, Anne Edmonds. For several years Anna wrote and presented funny upbeat stories for The Project, winning over viewers with her warm, silly, endearing style. Having grown up in Rockhampton, she particularly championed the stories and characters of rural and regional Australia with affection and humour. As well as The Project, Anna has written, presented and/or produced radio, TV and online content for Queensland Weekender, Red Symons’ Breakfast Show, and the BBC One series, ‘John Bishop’s Australia’. Anna can now be heard presenting statewide programs on 612 ABC Brisbane.

Check out Anna’s website or connect with her on Twitter or Instagram.

Other reviews of Girl in Between

Goodreads, SydneyMorningHerald, All The Books I Can Read, Felicity Moore

Book Giveaway

Thanks to the lovely people at Allen & Unwin we have a paperback copy of Girl in Between to giveaway:

• open to entrants with Australian mailing addresses only
• extra entries for spreading the word via Twitter and Facebook/Google+/Webpage
• extra entries for registered participants of the Aussie Author Challenge 2017 
• entries close midnight 5 June 2017
• the winner will be randomly selected and announced on our Facebook Page
• the winner must respond to my email requesting their mailing address within 5 days otherwise their prize will be forfeited and another winner selected

SORRY, ENTRIES NOW CLOSED – See winner announcement