Product Description

Harriet Swift thinks she has the perfect life - a satisfying career, her own flat and a new boyfriend who respects her need for her own space. But then her only sister is killed in a car crash and Harriet is forced to give up her well ordered life and to help look after her orphaned niece and nephew. Moving back to her childhood home in Maple Drive, and sacrificing so much, doesn't come easy and before long Harriet discovers things about her family she never believed possible. Meanwhile, the shabbiest house in Maple Drive has a new occupant. Will Hart also thinks he has the perfect life. Having swapped his successful career as a lawyer for that of an antiques dealer, he believes in living for the moment and is entirely happy with his lot. Then from nowhere tragedy strikes and he faces the biggest challenge of his life. Harriet and Will have no choice but to piece together a new future for themselves, but can they see it through?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16530 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

SUNDAY EXPRESS S MAG, 5 June
"A very moving novel about life, families and love."

Review
"A terrific tearjerker... Humorous and sensitive" (BELLA, 19 October )

"Erica James will have you smiling through your tears... and in Will Hart, James has created the romantic hero every woman dreams of." (NOTTINGHAM EVENING POST, 16 October )

"Brilliant." (PRIZES Magazine, October )

"Erica James is a great storyteller -- a really enjoyable read." (WOMAN'S WEEKLY FICTION SPECIAL, Nov/Dec issue )

"Erica James writes easily and fluently. This time she has tackled trickier subjects with grace and style." (NORTHERN ECHO, 4 January 05 )

WOMAN'S WEEKLY FICTION SPECIAL, Nov/Dec issue
"Erica James is a great storyteller -- a really enjoyable read."

Customer Reviews

LOVED THE BOOK - DEVOTED TO THE AUTHOR!
As a devoted follower of Erica James, it came as no surprise to me that I enjoyed this, her latest book, Love and Devotion.
I think it is probably her best work so far. Harriet Swift (single with not a maternal bone in her body) promises her sister
that should anything happen to her, she will take on the responsibility of her children. A promise a lot of us must have made at some time, never thinking the promise would ever have to be kept. When Harriet's sister and brother-in-law are killed in a road accident, Harriet - who had everything in her life just the way she wanted it: great job, own flat to which she could escape and enjoy her own company,and a blossoming new relationship, in the blink of an eye she finds herself living back home with her parents and caring for her sister's two small and bewildered children. How she copes with learning to become mother to these two orphans makes for a warmhearted and thought-provoking read. She meets Will, divorced antiques dealer with two teenage daughters, who also thinks he has his life sorted. Until tragedy strikes in his life. Erica James deals with the subject of bereavement and its effect on a whole family with a sensitive and humorous pen. Liken the death of one woman to throwing a pebble into a pool and see the ripples spread. A facinating insight into human relationships with believable characters. I particularly liked the 'script' given to Will by the author. When you read about a fictional character you'd really like to meet, you know the author has talent! I thoroughly recommend this book for an unputdownable read!

Another Great read from Erica James
I've read all the Erica James novels and i've yet to be disappointed. There are all fairly similar love stories, but they are written so well and the characters are easy to relate to, each one is treat! Although the book reaches its inevitable conclusion, there are a couple of twist and turns along the way. A great book to read curled up in front of the fire with a glass of red wine, or a fab holiday read. Fans of Erica James won't be disappointed.

Well- rounded story
Excellent story, very well constructed and with Erica James' usual superb writing style. I really enjoyed the book and can thoroughly recommend it as a compelling read.