Ask Again, Yes By Mary Beth Keane

‘Ask Again, Yes’ is the latest book by Mary Beth Keane.

Gillam, upstate New York: a town of ordinary, big-lawned suburban houses. The Gleesons have recently moved there and soon welcome the Stanhopes as their new neighbours. Lonely Lena Gleeson wants a friend but Anne Stanhope – cold, elegant, unstable – wants to be left alone. It’s left to their children – Lena’s youngest, Kate, and Anne’s only child, Peter – to find their way to one another. To form a friendship whose resilience and love will be almost broken by the fault line dividing both families, and by the terrible tragedy that will engulf them all.

This book is a story of friendship and new beginnings that spans many years. Peter and Kate were next door neighbours who were best friends, but their friendship was tragically cut short. Separated by distance, they often think of each other and find no one else in their lives live up to each other.

The story is tenderly written and speaks carefully about mental health and the repercussions it can have so many lives, as well as dealing with forgiveness overcoming fear. The setting of the small town of Gilliam gives the story a claustrophobic feel where everyone knows your business and always quick to judge. The narrative is primarily seen from Peter and Kate and this gives a lovely insight into them getting older but all the while, thinking about the person who made the most impact on their lives.

A story that explores a lifetime of love and proves that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, ‘Ask, Again Yes’ is a beautifully written story touching on family, drama and betrayal that made for gripping reading.

You can buy ‘Ask, Again, Yes’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.