Loving Him by Kate O'Riordan

 

 

 

A new author to me and I have no idea how this book came into my hands. It has been on my bookshelves though since 2006, which is when I registered it at Bookcrossing. I imagine it joined Mt TBR because it is partly set in Rome and it will be no surprise to those of you who know me that I love all things Italian.

Kate O'Riordan was the author of four previous novels prior to the publication of this one in 2005, to my surprise she seems to have had nothing in the way of novels published since then. Having discovered this fact I was therefore not really surprised that this title does not seem to be very well known, with only one other review appearing on Amazon prior to mine.

If you are in a secure and happy relationship this novel may well make you wonder if your other half has any past loves lurking as 'Loving Him' is all about what happens when the love of your life, unexpectedly meets his first love again. 

The protagonists of the story Matt and Connie Wilson are in Rome for a romantic weekend, when Matt unexpectedly announces that he is not returning to London with her. It turns out that despite three sons and a marriage that appears to work well, the past is a very strong draw. Connie's peaceful domestic life is turned upside down by her growing obsession with Greta, the woman from the past.

When Matt decides to stay in Rome, he tries to analyse the reasons why he does so, but he was unable to come up with a single reason. At the time I believed this but by the time you have finished the book you will come to realise that Connie is not after all the innocent party. Well I did not think so.  Besides the three main characters already mentioned there is another, Mary a family friend whose role within the family set-up I found very strange. In fact her behaviour is also obsessive in the way she reacts to the dramas going on within her friends marriage.

An ok read and I would say it is worth reading if it comes your way and you are a fan of relationship novels. Whilst I would love to know what other readers may have thought of this novel; I have my doubts that any of you reading this will have actually read it? Do let me know if you have.

Kate O'Riordan was born in the West of Ireland. Her first novel, Involved (1995), was shortlisted for the Dillons First Fiction Prize, and has been adapted by the author for TV. Her second novel is The Boy in the Moon (London, Flamingo, 1997). She has been a recipient of The Sunday Tribune/Hennessey Prize for Best Emerging Writer. She lives in London.

Photograph courtesy of © Jerry Bauer and Lovereading