Autumn Daffodils - Charlie's Story: Heart warming, thought provoking story. A look back on life and relationships.

Five extraordinary people, having retired early in order to escape their past, find themselves reliving the very past they came to the 'Village' to forget. What unites the group is the guilt, shame or sorrow they have each tried so hard to leave behind. As compelling as each of the characters proves to be, it's Charlie's heartbreaking account of his affair with Joanna which ultimately proves to have repercussions for the whole group.

A gentle humour conceals a less obvious but thought provoking narrative layered beneath the story. Tragic one moment and emotionally uplifting the next "Charlie's Story" will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. The story gathers pace like a roller-coaster leading inexorably towards a dramatic final chapter where in one heart stopping moment Charlie's life is changed forever. The final chapter will leave you utterly breathless but it's not the end, this is merely the starting point for "Joanna's Story".

UK Book Reviews: 

Best read this year by a new author. Couldn't put it down. Laughed and cried all the way through. Can't wait to read the sequel "Joanna's Story". Richard Jewell 

Five ordinary people with a more than ordinary past. Loved this book, had meant to keep it for a holiday read but once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Full of surprises and twists and a very enjoyable read. Now waiting for Joanna's Story to arrive! Jane Spring

Behind affable facades lie the real stories. The setting is unusual, a retirement village and a close-knit group of friends. But they've never spoken to each other about the big events of their lives. There's a new arrival in the village and he helps them open up. The Big Bang in the City, the Falklands War, the SAS in Uganda, the heady 60s drug culture, all feature and there's a passionate love affair. The author's style is open, uncomplicated. As he says in his intro, as he wrote he came to live inside each of his characters and that shows. They've done well in life, better than most of us, they've flown high. But it's credible. And just as you think the tale might be drawing to the kind of conclusion that you'd expect in a novel about our later days, there's a twist, a new avenue opens up, and this I understand, for I've only read one of the author's two novels, will open up next time around. Recommended. Zen stream

Looking forward to next book.Make sure you have plenty of time when you pick up this. Once in your hands you will not want to put it down. S Smith

Difficult to put down.Charlie's story was a great read. Not only entertaining but aroused real affection for some of the characters and frustration with others. I was very keen to get on to Joanna's story. Hazel