Sadie McQueen has rented a unit in the small idyll that is Cherry Tree Mews. I gated community in the centre of London, surrounded by glass monoliths, degenerating tower blocks and a rather dodgy housing estate. But the mews and its occupants have become Sadie’s family, her security blanket to heal from the tragedy she keeps close to her heart and the guilt that eats away at her.
That is until a newcomer to their inner circle, aptly named Hero, begins to awaken her heart to love, and above all possibilities.
Although it’s early days for reviews on this book, I do seem to be in the minority already. I didn’t find it that enjoyable. I couldn’t put my finger on whether it was the authors style, having not read any of her other titles, or whether it was due to a lack of connection with the characters. At times I did find some parts funny, but I never held any empathy for them and their situations.
I find this quite sad, as it held a lot of promise with the tough and very current subjects Ashton was covering. Mental health, addiction, domestic abuse and many more difficult matters are faced within these pages, but I continued to skim read unconcerned for the protagonist’s feelings or wellbeing.
This won’t put me off reading another book from this author in the future, I try to take each book as it comes and this one just wasn’t for me.
** Thanks to Simon & Schuster UK, via NetGalley, for this ARC **