Behind Closed Doors
Catherine Alliott
Discover the page-turning new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Cornish Summer
From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home.
But when her marriage to Michael comes to a sudden and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in an instant.
As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London—and the stories it hides—for a rural escape to her parents’ farmhouse in the Chilterns.
But Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home. With her parents growing older disgracefully, she can hardly keep up with their social life—especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame.
Coming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she’s been keeping from herself and those she loves.
Is she ready to let someone in? Or will she leave the door to her past firmly closed . . .
My Thoughts
I have been a big fan of Catherine Alliott for many years and was excited to read her latest publication Behind Closed Doors.
The book is narrated by main character Lucy Palmer who from the outside seems to have a charmed life. However, as the story delves deeper it becomes clear that things are not always as they seem.
Details of a troubled marriage are revealed slowly by the author. The story dissects how relationships with ex partners and family members can subconsciously dictate how we choose future relationships. The author brilliantly describes Lucy’s feelings of guilt, shame. hurt and helplessness so I felt like I knew Lucy and understood her pain.
Alongside this, we witness a stage in life which is often overlooked…when the parent/child roles are reversed. Just when Lucy thinks she can move on with a fresh start it becomes clear that a new set of problems and responsibilities are just waiting in the wings.
Humour is added through the drunken antics of Lucy’s mother and father and their eccentric friends. It was endearing to see that although getting old can be hard it can also be filled with fun and friendship.
Just like all Catherine Alliotts books the pages seem to turn effortlessly by themselves. I was completely immersed in the life of the main character, her adorable but fragile parents and her grown up children. There were characters who made me laugh, some made me cry but mostly I just wanted to give them a big hug.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly.