Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings

A Different Kind of Love by Nicola Haken

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Nicola Haken says she’s got a new book coming out I mark my calendar and wait like it’s Christmas.

This is because she never fails to deliver an emotional rollercoaster of a ride which will not only challenge my perceptions but usually gives me insight in some way either into the harrowing experience of living with mental illness or – as is the case here – with the way someone could have shut down their very self for more than two decades out of fear.

I won’t go into any detail about the plot of this book, it deserves to be read blind, the story allowed to unfold as it goes on.

Suffice it to say, it will take hold of your heart and squeeze it until you’re not sure whether up is down or what constitutes right and wrong.

You’ll no doubt have questions about what happens, there are moments that make you want to shout don’t while at the same time, you know that the only right outcome is the one which sees William being able to live his authentic life.

***SPOILER***

All the characters in this book are both sympathetic and also frustrating, there are no heroes or villains with perhaps the exception of Will’s father, who’s a right piece of work.
But there’s no easy blame to lay or person at fault.

This touches on subjects which some readers may find difficult to deal with and, while not wishing to give away anything of the plot, there are elements which may be triggering.

There is nothing hidden within the narrative, the Blurb says William is married to a woman and has children.

I will just say, go in with an open mind, this is not a book about cheating in the brutal sense of that word.

It’s a book about finding truths, about long-lived lies, about faults and decisions which were made where no one could see the future outcomes.

***END SPOILER***

It’s about a different kind of love.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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