Now for some reason I thought this book was going to be about the circus. I think I read it as like a ‘Big Top’ and the colours of the cover are reddish. My brain works in very strange ways sometimes.
Anyway – there is nothing about the circus in this story – but it is very good. This is one of my favourite books of Rachel Lacey (even without clowns).
It’s a one night to forever where your one night stand turns out to be trying to buy your family hotel. This deal falls through, there is a change in the hook ups career trajectory and she buys the hotel herself as the first step in running her own business. She has just pressed the ejector button on her career in the family firm as she was overlooked for the path to the CEO job she wanted.
There is of course plenty of issues dealt with within the story
A gay nephew that needs time and space to find himself
Grandmothers who want to travel before returning to live in town
Abandonment by parents
Anxiety
Friendship
Care
And of course Love.

It also normalises the use of masks when someone is ill so as not to spread germs – not just a pandemic thing.

There is of course an epilogue set 6 months later.
This sees them go for a walk to the summit – which had been a target for them to meet.

I enjoyed this – it is sweet and affirming.