My Thoughts On… Moonlight on the Thames by Lauren Westwood

My Thoughts On… Moonlight on the Thames by Lauren Westwood

Hi All!
Today is my stop on the blog tour for Moonlight on the Thames and I am here today with my review on this fantastic book PLUS a chance for you to win a copy!

Title: Moonlight on the Thames
Author: Lauren Westwood
Publisher: Aria
Published: 4th September 2018
Pages: 455
Format: ebook
Source:: Netgalley
Add It: Goodreads, Amazon UK
Summary:
Worlds collide when two strangers meet at Waterloo station. It’s a moment they’ll never forget. Perfect for the fans of Milly Johnson.

Christmas is a joyous time, but not everyone is merry and bright. Nicola is a star at the top of the corporate ladder, but her personal life is a disaster. Her office affair has run its course, and the last thing she wants to think about is Christmas. A night of cancelled trains and festive Christmas carols at Waterloo Station is the last straw… Dmitri loves conducting his pop–up choir during the festive season, meeting people, and spreading joy and cheer around London. But he carries deep secrets from his past that robbed him of his dream to become a concert pianist. Can two lonely hearts and souls be unlocked by music and moonlight and will they discover the healing power of love?

My Thoughts

The very first thing to be noted about this book is that it is not a fluffy read. It is not the usual light Christmas read that you would be expecting, instead it is dark, serious and heavy but that just makes it that much more of an intense and unputdownable read. The book looks at very difficult topics such as domestic abuse and rape, homelessness and the refugee crisis. Yet, it is also still full of Christmas cheer, hope and happiness. It is such a wonderfully balanced read that I cannot help but recommended it – but just be warned that their may be topics inside that may trigger some people. Lauren Westwood, in my opinion, however, has done a fantastic job of flowing these topics into the book in a sensitive and interesting way.

With the darkness of the book, the characters are complex individuals with pasts that affect their present and future. It is the way they overcome this that really brings this book together. And you all know that I am a sucker for character led stories. I absolutely loved learning more about both Nicola and Dmitri and witnessing how their lives change so dramatically in only a few days. I thought they were both really strong, fascinating characters and it was such a wonderful thing to see how they overcame their pasts to paint the way for a new future that they never thought they would have.

There were a few issues I had with the book, a few moments when I just felt certain parts weren’t entirely necessary but, fortunately, these did not impact on my overall feelings on the book. It was a book that held me captivated and I simply struggled to walk away from it and get on with other things. It is also a book that stayed with me after it ended as well. I felt like I wanted to read more about Nicola and Dmitri’s lives but alas, I have to move on. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for further books from Lauren Westwood in the future and would highly recommend this book too.

About the Author

Lauren Westwood writes romantic women’s fiction, and is also an award-winning children’s writer. Originally from California, she now lives in England in a pernickety old house built in 1602, with her partner and three daughters.

Website. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram.

Giveaway

To be in with the chance to win an e-copy of Moonlight on the Thames for yourself, all you need to do is fill out the form below!

1. Open INTL.
2. Entrants must be 13 years or older
3. Competition Sponsored by Aria Fiction
4. Winners will be contacted by e-mail and given 7 days to respond
5. Ends 23/09/2018

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Will you be reading this book?