Chicklit Club
 

NEW RELEASE

 
 

So Close – Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (2016)

 

Mandy has grown up in a trailer park, needing to skip college to work menial jobs and help out her useless mother with the raising of her young brother. She is used to the struggle of making ends meet but has aspirations of rising above her disadvantaged upbringing. One day she meets three people who will change her life – rich boy Pax and politically ambitious lawyer Tom Davis and his wife, Lindsey. When Tom speaks at a political event, his words really resonate with Mandy and she ends up joining his campaign team, becoming particularly close to Lindsey. But is their world any kinder than the one she’s come from? The parts about Mandy’s background were eye-opening and you really root for her as she strives to rise above the hardships. The real relationship story here – rather than the on-and-off romance with Pax – was with the woman she so admired, Lindsey. And if you are after a story set in the political arena, this ticks all the boxes.

Rating 7/10
 
 

Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have joined forces again for their latest novel, So Close, about a girl from a trailer park. The summary says: "Amanda Beth Luker has spent her whole life desperately looking for someone who can show her the way out of her trailer park Florida town. And then, finally, help arrives - in the form of Tom Davis, a successful lawyer with political aspirations who grew up just a few towns over from Amanda.
But it's his wife, Lindsay, who really captures Amanda's imagination. Strong, smart, and determined, she gives Amanda something she's never had - a role model. Meanwhile Amanda is introduced to the wealthy, charismatic, and deeply troubled Pax Westerbrook. He clearly desires Amanda, but if she gives in will that move her closer to the life she's always dreamed of - or make it impossible?
Amanda rides Davis' political success all the way to Washington, where he becomes senator and will later be tapped for president and even make a bid for the White House. But when Amanda starts to suspect, and later confirms, his moral indiscretions, her loyalty is tested. Will a girl from a trailer park even be believed if she goes public with damning information? Will she be willing to risk losing everything she's gained?" So Close is out in June 2016.

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