You Can’t Go It Alone

A few months ago I was delighted to write the post Collecting Friendships is the special gift of Social Media.

I commented:

Do you have an SEO dashboard? Do you know the 40 essential terms that all marketers should know? I don’t either. But I do have friends! And social media friends are all you need!

In that post, I went on to share how happy I was to receive the gifts of books in the mail, from two talented and giving writers. Sam Bunch was one of my first Twitter friends and Live Snellings is a new friend, and she is equally charming and engaging on social media. Please get to know Sam here and Lieve here.

A few weeks ago, I found a private message on Twitter from Jessie Cahalin. She wanted to gift me with a copy of her debut novel, You Can’t Go It Alone.

The title Wowed me! I sure can’t go it alone in my real life, or my book life. If you don’t know Jessie, you must click on her lovely website right now. She is the creator of the charming and whimsical Books in My Handbag website. She is doing so much to connect and encourage writers. You will love her site and you will be charmed by her whimsy and her upbeat spirit. She’s young and pretty and so friendly. Go ahead and click and then come back and I will tell you about what she sent me.

She mailed her “parcel” as she called it, from her charming little Welsh post office. I wondered if her postmistress was like the ones we Americans like to read about in British novels- the village busybody (either crank or sweet, but for sure, nosy). Jessie said no, but the woman had commented that the parcel was going on a long trip.

Of course, I was so excited waiting for it to come.

Finally! I welcomed it with the triumphant music of Rule Brittania and then came the Parcel Reveal. Enjoy my video as I open the parcel from Wales!

I did indeed curl up with Jessie’s book. I smiled and cried and loved every minute of my time Delfryn.

Here is my review.

When you first see the cover of this book, I hope you like it as much as I did. Are you intrigued? A woman stands, alone and at a distance, surrounded by calm water, an expansive horizon, and a clearing sky. What does this tell you and what does the title, You Can’t Go It Alone make you think? What about the tagline- love, laughter, music and secrets…?

These features draw you into the story, don’t they?

Debut author Jessie Cahalin has created a lovely book world that blends good story telling with positivity and love.This book is what is called “character-driven”. These intriguing and captivating characters are ready to share their stories with you. The characters range from birth to the end of life. You will be drawn to their problems and secrets, hopes and dreams.

What ties them all together are two things: their village and the new arrival- Sophie, the main character. While Sophie has her own struggles, she is a caring and nurturing person and she becomes the “glue” for her family and friends.

“…join me in a toast to Sophie She is such a great addition to this community and has brought us together.”

The characters are well rounded; they do interesting things and they think about life in interesting ways. One of my favorite characters is the young neighbor girl, Daisy. She is about five years old and is at that magical age where an adorable little girl blooms and changes into a big girl. The author is spot-on with her depictions of Daisy- she abounds with energy, exuberance, and joy.

Readers will also enjoy the family of Rosa and Matteo. And I wanted to ride around the countryside with Jeanie and Max in their camper van Molly.

As an American, I enjoyed “spending time” in the village of Delfryn, in Wales. “Waiting patiently above the luscious green hills, the autumn sun looked down on the nineteenth century church.” Through the book, I “saw” the lovely scenery, mountains and historic sites, and I “visited” with friends at the charming local café. “Let’s go to the Olive Tree tonight”, was a frequent and happy exclamation. I even spent a day or two in Cardiff!

I highlighted many parts of the book and I am sure that readers will find their own favorite parts and they will bond with the characters just as I did. This book shows us the ups and downs of life. We see that family and friends can smooth the road by rejoicing in the good times and sharing their love in the harder times. I cared about the characters and I know readers will, too.

Love and romance waft their way into the story, too. The romance is mostly sweet, but there is a bit of spice, “The unmade bed became their island, clothes strewn on the floor as if washed up on the shore.”

This is the debut novel and it is a complex and vivid tapestry of a story. First books can be somewhat like the little girl Daisy- loveable, engaging, but with a few growing pains. Author Cahalin is on her way to becoming a gifted storyteller. It seems the author has planned more books so that is good news for the fictional folks of Delfryn and good news for readers! Enjoy!

Many thanks to the author for a review copy.  This is my honest review.

Thank you Jessie! Books are the best gift! 

I wonder what the Wells Fargo wagon will bring me next?

Possibly a package from Italy!