Amy & Zach
Sarah Louise Smith
(only 77p as of 25/03/13)
Amy has moved to the US in order to find her real father, but she hasn’t quite worked up the courage to do so yet.
Then she met Zach, who swept her off her feet. They fell in love, fast. But Zach has a secret with the potential to ruin everything.
As Amy prepares to return to England for her sister Libby’s wedding, Zach drops a bombshell. Amy is furious, so she hides his passport and flies alone. But Zach’s secret isn’t her only worry. She will see Tim again – her sister’s fiancé.
After he finds his passport, Zach heads to the UK to surprise Amy. He wants to apologise and finally meet her family. He knows he has a lot of explaining to do. But just what will he face?
Amy & Zach take it in turns to share their tale with you. They will reveal all, and may surprise you, in the end...
The story of Amy & Zach is cleverly written, alternating from narratives from both Amy and Zach which gives a whole new depth to the book that you don't always get with the help of the male perspective too. It had me gripped from the very start!
It begins with an uncomfortable reunion between Amy and her family who she has not seen for the year that she has lived in Boston, USA, moving there to find her real father. She returned somewhat reluctantly for the wedding of her younger sister who she never really had a close bond with, and initially you sense a secret bubbling with the mention of her soon-to-be brother in law, Tim.
It does not leave too long to dwell on the subject as we are quickly introduced to Zach who is clearly troubled and is on his way from the States, hot on Amy's heels; once he had found his passport that is. Again, there are secrets to be uncovered here willing you to keep turning the pages.
Tension in the family is apparent from the outset, especially when Zach arrives at the front door and introduces himself as Amy's husband - when her mother has never met him and barely knows his name.
We're left hanging as the story backtracks a year, back to Amy's first few weeks in Boston and how she came to meet Zach. The following year passes through both of their eyes and we watch their relationship blossom, and Amy finally coming to terms with who she really is and finding confidence within her own shell.
Amy, after some encouragement, plucks up the courage to find her real father - the whole reason she moved to Boston in the first place. We watch as she begins to fit the pieces together, and also as they are threatened to be smashed apart.
Families are the backbone of this story, as well as the truly lovely (not overly sickly) romance. We see how the dynamics of a family can change with issues such as divorce and how secrets and lies can shatter things apart, no matter how deeply you think they are buried.
There is a particular twist in the book re Zach (no spoilers here!) which really made me gasp - this is a testimony to the author as I can normally nail a plot within the first few chapters (unlike the fabulous Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse - review here)
I love the characters in Amy & Zach, they are all totally relatable and I love the touching yet slightly sad relationship between Amy and Libby, her half sister.
I found the A-Z which Amy writes absolutely fabulous! It made the ending of the book wonderful, poignant and still with a touch of humour! I would encourage any fans of chick lit/light hearted romances to read Amy & Zach.
Also, it made me realise I overuse exclamation marks!
Many thanks to Sarah Louise Smith for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review x