After the Party by Lisa Jewell

“After the Party” is the follow up story to “Ralph’s Party”, when eleven years ago Jem Catterick and Ralph McLeary fell in love and were sure that they had found their happy ever after.

But fast forward through the years and things have become remarkably different. Now the two of them have become four, with toddler Scarlett and baby Blake. Nights out are a rare treat and the happy loving couple that they once were, has now become a distant memory.

Now, two people who were so in love with each other and everyone thought were the perfect are drifting apart and carrying on with their lives in different directions. Whilst Jem returns to work, after her maternity leave, Ralph is on the outside looking in whilst trying to create new pieces for his next art exhibition. Deciding that he needs a change of scenery to clear his head, he takes himself of to America to visit his old best friend Smith and try to inject some creativity into his life. Whilst out there he meets Rosey, who manages to help not only creatively but also spiritually as he tries to find himself.

But once he returns, things have changed for the couple as they rediscover a new likeness for each other, but that new feeling only lasts for a short time, as new people and circumstances enter their lives and they begin to wonder whether they really are right for each other.

I was already warned by Lisa that this book was going to be sad, but I wasn’t prepared for just how heart-wrenching it actually was. As you observe the lives of two people that were once obviously very love with each other struggle to bring the spark into their failing relationship, it does make it a trying read, but as both characters are such likeable people, you begin to realise that you just want to be happy, whether it’s with each other or not.

“After the Party” is a beautifully written story about love and friendship and is another honest tale by Lisa Jewell who is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.

You can buy [amazon_link id=”0099533685″ target=”_blank” ]After the Party on Amazon [/amazon_link] and other good bookshops.