Books Read: Sinead Moriarty - Mad About You

Emma and James Hamilton have weathered lots of storms in their ten-year marriage. From the heartbreak of infertility, to the craziness of then becoming parents to two babies in one year, to coping with James losing his job, somehow they have always worked as a team.

However, the pressure of moving from Dublin to London for James's new job - away from familiar surroundings and the family Emma loves - puts them under stress like never before. So when James starts getting texts from a stranger - texts that show startling insights into their lives - Emma is not sure what to think. She is far from home, isolated and before long finds herself questioning everything about their relationship.

Maybe those texts are telling the truth and the life she believed to be solid and secure is just a mirage. Somehow she has to get a grip, but how can she do that when a stranger is set on driving Emma out of her home and marriage! 

Sinead Moriarty's latest novel Mad About You reacquaints us with Emma and James Hamilton, who we previously met in The Baby Trail, A Perfect Match and From Here to Maternity, as they head to London for James' new job.

Over the years they've had to struggle with trying to conceive and adoption but is this move to London one hurdle too far for them to cope with? It would certainly appear so as with James never at home as he's trying to find his feet in his new job,  and the children Yuri and Lara preferring the company of their new nanny to her, Emma struggles to cope with the loneliness without her friends and family nearby.

And when James and Emma start to receive strange texts and presents it would appear that someone is trying to cause problems with their relationship but will they succeed or can they rediscover the magic of their relationship...

I have to confess I found myself feeling sorry for Emma and then feeling frustrated with her in equal measures whilst reading this book which surprised me as she was my favourite character in the previous books. She seemed to be a bit more self-centred than previously but maybe that was her coping mechanism with dealing with everything that was going on.

The whole stalker issue was a little too predictable and Emma's reaction to her sister Babs' and friend Lucy's news a bit OTT for my liking, but maybe that was the intention.  Overall this was an enjoyable read, about the pressures of modern day life and relationships, that helped to pass the time over a weekend.
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I'd like to thank Cliona at Penguin Ireland for sending me a copy of this book to review.  Amazon links: Trade Paperback or Kindle