The One - Claire Frost

About the book… 

What happens when you lose the love of your life just three months after you meet him?

Lottie Brown has finally found The One. Leo is everything she’s ever wanted – he’s handsome, kind, funny and totally gets her. Three months into their relationship, Lottie is in love and happier than ever before.

But then Leo tragically dies, and Lottie is left floundering.

As she struggles to stop her life falling apart, Lottie learns more about the man she thought she knew, and starts to question whether Leo really was as perfect as he seemed…

The brand-new heart-breaking novel of love, loss and learning to live again, from the acclaimed author of MARRIED AT FIRST SWIPE. Perfect for fans of Paige Toon, Holly Miller and Rosie Walsh.

Buy Links: 

Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untitled-2-Pa-Claire-Frost/dp/147119387X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646238104&sr=1-1

About the author… 

Claire Frost grew up in Manchester, the middle of three sisters. She always wanted to do a job that involved writing, so after studying Classics at Bristol University she found a job in magazines. For the last 10 years she's worked at The Sun on Sunday's Fabulous magazine, where she is Assistant Editor and Books Editor. She can mostly be found at her desk buried beneath an ever-increasing pile of books or at home writing funny and heart-warming novels about love, life and social media.

Contact Links: 

Twitter: @FabFROSTY

INSTAGRAM: @therealfabfrosty

My thoughts…

Lottie is the central character in Claire Frosts new novel ‘The One”. Imagine twelve weeks into a relationship that you think is the most perfect relationship ever, your boyfriend suddenly dies!!  It would be absolutely horrific and that’s exactly what happens and how we are introduced to Lottie. 

Lottie is the middle of three sisters and living a life of mediocrity - she sees her life as average  - sandwiched between two sisters that seem to have everything sorted in life.  She thinks she is not as capable or clever as either of them and she doesn’t have the settled relationships they have either.

Her boyfriend Leo only held that title for twelve weeks before he suddenly died - we join Lottie as she has to begin navigating the dark path of grief and tries to overcome the feeling that she has lost her one and only chance of happiness - Leo was ‘the one’ he was perfect in every way and despite their relationship only spanning 12 short weeks she knows they were destined for a lifetime of happiness and she would have been on a par with her sisters and their settled lives.

Her journey sees her examining her relationship with Leo in minutiae, prompted and prodded by her sisters - this was at times extremely difficult to read and Lottie travelled the bumpy path of grief that finds her examining every aspect of her life.  Grief, love, relationships and family all come under the spotlight and assumptions, thoughts and opinions are exposed and sees her reevaluating everything she thought she knew - this made for raw reading, as situations are turned on their head and every aspect of Lotties life is laid bare.

The One is told both in the present and the past, it recounts the short but intense relationship between Lottie and Leo, her relationship with her sisters and her work colleagues. Emotions and feelings are laid bare and honest, open conversations take place. I was cheerleading for Lottie throughout and my own emotions dipped and rose with the pacing of the story. It was at times funny, light and uplifting and at others very sad, raw and heartbreaking.  I thought the author described the dynamics of the three siblings exceptionally well.  Without meaning to, all too often middle children can slip under the radar and Lottie has obviously fitted herself into this role all too easily.  Annie, the older sister on the face of it the strong, direct one - always in control and Em the youngest, more easy going, the relaxed stay at home mum. I loved that we got under the skin of both Laura and Em too and busted a few myths along the way.

Family dynamics are complex and not always what they seem but the fierce lion like loyalty of the sisters coming together to protect their cub ‘Lottie’ was truly beautiful to read about and Lottie got support and a hand of friendship from an unexpected source too - yes, I was willing this fledgling friendship on from the sidelines - who wouldn’t?  All of whom encourage Lottie, give her the support and space to unpack her thoughts and feelings and metaphorically speaking hold her hand as she navigates a new path - this was truly lovely to read, watching her find strength and courage to move her life onwards and upwards.

The One was a book that was sad but ultimately uplifting, it was bolstered by the strength of family and friendship - openness and honesty.  A beautiful story written with tenderness and sensitivity.

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