Monday 6 March 2017

A Song for Tomorrow - Alice Peterson


About the book… 
Tom fell in love with Alice the moment he saw her. He realises that being with her will not be easy, but she is a force of nature, a burst of sunlight in his otherwise ordinary world. 

Some people might look at Alice and think she has everything, but Alice knows she is not like other women. Her life is complicated, unpredictable, difficult. Alice does not like pity. All she wants to do, has ever wanted to do, is sing.

Alice has been told not to follow her dreams. But when fate has already dealt a tough hand, it’s time to stop listening to everyone else and only follow their hearts.

What readers are saying about A Song for Tomorrow

‘A tremendously inspiring story’ Handwritten Girl 
‘A Song for Tomorrow is about a woman who strives to follow her dreams’ Chicklit club 
A Song for Tomorrow is the best example of how genius a writer Alice Peterson is – I can’t stop admiring how wonderfully and effortlessly she brings all the emotions to life … beautiful, captivating… I can’t recommend it highly enough’ On my Bookshelf
‘The most beautiful, moving, inspirational book I have ever read. Its story will stay with me for life, and will inspire me every single day’ Jill loves to read 
5 Stars ‘A moving story of guts and determination!’ Breakaway reviewers 
‘A beautiful story… full of hope, strength, love and determination’ Sincerely Book Angels 

Buy Links: 


About the author… 
At the age of eighteen Alice had been awarded a tennis scholarship to America when she experienced pain in her right hand. It was rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and she hasn’t picked up a tennis racket since, a sadness that shall always be with her. The theme of disability features in her fiction, but there is nothing gloomy about Alice or her work. Rather this gives her fiction the added dimension of true poignancy.

Contact Links: 
Goodreads Website / Twitter

My thoughts…
Wow, how privileged do I feel to have met Alice Peterson at the Books and the City Spring Blogger event, not only that, she read from and signed a copy of her latest book A Song for Tomorrow. I had already pre-ordered a kindle copy of this book which hit my kindle on publication day and I saved it for my holiday last week.  I was warned I'd need tissues, something that SJ at Books and the City had provided in the goody bag and they weren't wrong.

A Song for Tomorrow has to be one of the most breath takingly beautiful books I have ever read.  It is based on the true story of Alice Martineau, an incredibly strong, determined woman whose grit and determination propels her towards her goal of becoming a singer and securing a recording contract. 

Alice has the odds stacked against her, she has Cystic Fibrosis a condition that affects her lungs and breathing, the very things that are needed to sing. Growing up being told she'd never make it in music and being bullied and taunted at school are the very things that give her the backbone to try.

Alice Peterson has written a deeply moving book that is inspirational and moving beyond belief - written in such a way that leaves the reader in no doubt as to the extent of the physical and mental challenges faced by Alice and her family, yet at no point did I feel pity for any of them.   I felt the style Alice Peterson wrote A Song For Tomorrow was such that the reader gets to walk a mile in Alice's shoes gaining a small understanding of what her life entailed. It wasn't all sad, Alice had a fantastic humour and joy for life that shines throughout the story.  The love and support she both receives and gives with her friends and family  makes what could be a very sad book up-lifting.  Her character exudes a strength and determination that totally amazed me - her cup wasn't just half full it was brimming, when really she could have been forgiven if it was half empty.

I loved her relationship with Tom, it wasn't all hearts and flowers and the reactions of his parents and best friend when faced with the reality of Alice's condition, although not pleasant for Alice; was probably very realistic - it is human nature after all to protect our loved ones from potential hurt and they were no different.

This is a book I'll be shouting about for a long time to come - it is humbling, breathe takingly beautiful and a book that I know I shall read again and again.  Thank you SJ & Books and the City for introducing me to this amazing author Alice Peterson - a shining star in the Simon and Schuster family that is every bit as strong, determined and gorgeous as Alice Martineau.

No comments:

Post a Comment