Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom: Review: Quintessentially Yours by Linn B Halton

Katherine Dale lives her life according to her daily horoscope forecast. Having recently hit forty, Katherine is living with her partner, James Kingman, and their delightful little six-month-old daughter, Leyla. James is an up-and-coming name in astrology and that’s how they met. At a party to celebrate the publication of Katherine’s first novel, James was about to propose when Katherine announced the news that she was expecting a baby. ‘Ask me later, when I can fit into my dream dress’ she’d told him.

Wind forward thirteen months and while there is an engagement ring on Katherine’s finger, James still can’t mention the ‘m’ word. Leyla suffers from colic and won’t settle into any semblance of a routine. The lack of sleep is taking its toll on them all. James is at his wits’ end trying to cope with his increasing workload, while handling a hormonal woman who feels like an abject failure. And then there’s his boss, who has designs – on him!

With feline help from No. 4, plus a little timely advice from old postman Tom and neighbour Ed, can James and Katherine’s love for each other survive all of the challenges that life is throwing at them? Will there ever be time to plan that dream wedding?

This sequel can be read as a standalone novel.

Shona's review 4 of 5 stars

Quitessentially Yours picks up about a year after we left Katherine, James and Mark at the end of Under The Stars, poor Mark has suffered the loss of his wife Isobel, and Katherine and James (and of course No. 4) are up to their ears in all things baby whilst trying to juggle their own careers and building renovations.

It would be so easy to have everything coming up roses for Katherine and James but Halton has thrown in a couple of bumps in their road. Katherine is struggling with the trials of motherhood and the rejection of her newest manuscript, James is unsure about his career path, both are keeping secrets from each other and they appear to be drifting apart! Life may not be at it's easiest but I love how this couple over come those bumps..

As always, Halton provides us with a book that we can easily immerse ourselves in, a story that is beautifully written and grabs you by both hands. I dare you to try and put this book down.

Quintessentially Yours is available to buy from today.

About Linn B Halton

Bristol-born Linn B Halton lives in the small village of Lydbrook, which nestles on the edge of the Forest of Dean, in the UK. She resides there with her husband and feline with 'catitude'- Mr Tiggs. Linn began writing in March 2009 and her debut novel was published in February 2011. Linn is published by HarperImpulse and Sapphire Star Publishing. Linn is the managing editor of Loveahappyending Lifestyle emagazine.