‘Hangovers have no respect for feelings’

Genre: General Fiction

Published: 14th May, 2018.

Rate: 3 ⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis

With a failed relationship behind her, a business on the rocks and a flat that’s falling apart around her ears, she could really use some luck.

Elena Banbury, née Guseva, an elderly but imposing Russian woman who is Harriet’s neighbour and landlady, frequently entertains the punters at Harriet’s jewellery stall with tales of the palaces of St. Petersburg and the treasures of Fabergé. But Harriet sometimes feels, guiltily, that she could do without the endless errands that seem to fall to her as Elena’s friend.

Then, unexpectedly, when Elena dies, she leaves all her worldly goods to a grateful Harriet. In time, however, it becomes clear that others are shocked by Harriet’s good luck, too. Shocked… and very, very unhappy.

Challenged in court by Elena’s family who live in Berlin, Harriet is forced to give up her inheritance and long-dreamed-of plans for a new business, and start her life again. But with her reputation in tatters and the memory of Elena tainted, Harriet knows a great injustice has been done.

Against the advice of her friends, family and lawyers, Harriet sets off on her own, very singular journey to Berlin.

In the weeks that follow she meets rich and poor, the glamorous and the criminal, the honest and the secretive, and begins to see that perhaps she has something to learn from them all. Something to learn about herself, and something to learn about her priorities.

She knows she has to fight for justice. But, when she meets the scholarly, perceptive Neil, who generously tries to help Harriet in her mission, but who is struggling with a complicated marriage, she must also decide if she’ll fight for love, too.

A Single Journey is a compelling and lively story, combining colourful characters with a page-turning plot and romantic highs and lows.

My Take

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

How beautiful is the cover? So simple yet it captures your attention. A Single Journey lives up to its name and takes you on one long journey, where Harriet is basically trying to find what she wants to do with her life, but doesn’t know it. Her fight for justice and what is right is quite admirable and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

What I liked is the historical aspect of the story is a huge treat. At least for me. A Single Journey starts of in 1933 Berlin and it gives us an idea of what it was like, in terms of the way of life and the war. The characters, especially Elena, are a joy to get to know more of. I’d like to believe Elena and Harriet are Kindred spirits, if not for much but their love for (rare) jewelry. The friendship here is also something to write about. Let me tell you, there is beauty in friendship, and the book explores that wonderfully. The plot and the storyline is good and it gives great insights through the whole journey.

What I didn’t like was the lack of character development. I thought there would be some level of growth in Harriet as the storyline unfolded but I didn’t see it. Also the way Harriet treated the people around her was not okay. She was half the time mean and rude, but was swept under as ‘she’s been through so much’ so she can be excused. That bothered me a lot. Like I said the storyline is good and quite interesting, but some twists were there just for shock value and I still don’t get why.

‘Looking idle loses sales’

If you want to check out other blogs in the tour and find out what their thoughts are, you can find the list down below. Until next time, have a great day and a wonderful week ahead! 😊❤️