The century is not yet a teenager, yet everything is shrouded in gloom. People are tightening their belts, rationing and making do. Across Europe, there is uncertainty, with the possibility of, like, serious conflict hanging in the air. Yet, amidst the splendour of Honalee - a mock-something-or-other mansion that Ross and Sorcha recently inherited - life goes on.
The world is changing quickly - especially for Ross. As he stares down the barrel of middle age, he has decided that it's time to possibly do right by Sorcha and put their marriage back together.
But he has even bigger challenges to face. His son has hitched his future to a family of commoners, his old dear is involved in a love affair that threatens disgrace for the family, and his daughter has turned into the worst little madam you can imagine. Oh, yeah, and he is about to become a grandfather at 31.
As Sorcha embraces her new life of afternoon teas on fine bone china plates and Downton Abbey theme porties, he is suddenly wrestling with duty, loyalty and the thousands of women out there who still desire the pleasure of his company.
If you have ever had any ideas about burning your bra or becoming a fully paid up member of the feminist movement then stay away from this book. Ross O’Carroll-Kelly has male chauvinism down to a fine art and his interest in women’s breasts that would rival that of a hungry baby. Personally I adored him! The kind of guy you could listen to for hours and find every story hilarious…just as long as he wasn’t your husband. Downturn Abbey is the thirteenth novel in the series and I am ashamed to say this is the first I have read although it will definitely not be the last.
The style of writing pulls you in, firstly because it is written in an Irish accent you ‘hear’ the protagonist and could be listening to him recount his exploits over a pint. Ross is one of those characters that can get away with anything because you know he ‘means well’ even if he comes across as dangerously low in the intellect department and that basically everything he’s involved with is an unmitigated disaster.
Paul Howard, the creator of the fictional ex-rugby star Ross O’Carroll-Kelly had me laughing aloud, choking on my snacks and spitting my drink – he had me at the first paragraph and left me hungry for more with the last.
I'd like to thank Cliona at Penguin Ireland for sending me a copy of this book and Janine for review for reviewing it for me.
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