The Rest of Me: the uplifting new novel from the bestselling author of My Everything: the unmissable uplifting novel from the bestselling author of My Everything

I simply cannot put into words how much I loved this book. So beautifully written. By far the best book that I have read in years 💖

Amazing book, which I really enjoyed reading. She’s done it again!

This book was well written with interesting, believable characters. It realistically depicted the ups and downs of family life. If asked to sum up in one word what the predominant theme of the book is, I would say "bullying". The central character - Alex Fox - was badly bullied as a child. This lasted for 8 long years and had a major impact on every aspect of her life. She is now married with two daughters, 14 year old Jenna and Issy who is 9. In spite of her own experiences, Alex is completely unaware that Issy is also being bullied in exactly the same way as she was. Issy has learned to deal with the bullying as her mother did by acting tough and pretending there is no problem. Both of them suppress their feelings and refuse to ask for help. Alex is now being bullied by her new boss who makes her life a misery. Life is particularly difficult at the moment as Alex's husband Sam has been seriously ill and Alex has donated a kidney to him. The childhood bullying which she experienced has made Alex something of a control freak - she only feels safe if she is in control of every aspect of her life. As a result she never admits she is struggling and absolutely never asks for help. Although I empathised with Alex's problems, I did feel like shaking her and telling her to talk to someone and get the help that she needed. Because she was so wrapped up in her own problems, she was oblivious to her daughters' problems and this nearly resulted in a tragedy. This book is a lesson in being open and honest, sharing your problems with others and asking for help when you need it. It is also demonstrates the need for a work/life balance. I enjoyed the book and appreciated the message which it gave out. However, the happy ending was rather predictable - a kind of "happy ever after" for adults.

A proper tear jerker that I would recommend reading but not if you’ve recently lost a person close to you as does really bring matters home.Alex has it all perfect but stressful job. Two children and a great husband. Tragedy though and how will she cope not only with her job but her life, the one and only person she thought would always be there for her in times of trouble is actually in trouble himself.My heart ached at times reading this how she struggles trying to carry on with everyday life, school runs, hospital visits and the hardest part of all trying to keep that smile on her face whilst juggling so many balls. Then having to do nothing and wait to see the results. At times there were laughable parts, some of it had to be those times if not laughing then crying seems to be the only option, but sometimes those tears run out.A read to me that really showed that family, love and pulling together in times of trouble really does help you pull through almost any crisis.The outcome for Alex and her family? Well no spoilers and no matter which road Alex’s life took with or without her husband she was one hell of a lady going through one hell of a tough time. Anyone reading this that has lost a husband or had one going through the Pathway system will relate to it know I did. Tissues are needed throughout this read though I found.

Story begins when Alex, wife to Sam and mother of Jena (14) and Izzy (10) is coming round from an operation to donate one of her to kidneys to husband Sam. He had been ill for some time and was becoming a total invalid so bravely Alex came to the rescue.She is the strong one. She works for a children’s charity and works hard at being a career woman and mother. After the operation she does not feel her usual capable self and an early return to work sets her back.This is a contemporary family living in London and all are doing their best but the wheels are coming off. Izzy is mad keen on playing football as well as supporting Arsenal and about time too that a girl who is not pink and girlie made into a novel! She is a great character but has to cope with being bullied at school. Something she has not told to anyone.Jena is the most typical teen. Rude to her mum and caught trying to send naked selfies to impress a boy. ugh.Sam is thrilled to be healthy again and wants to fulfil his true passion in life. Have a guess? yes it’s to be a chef.So with the family sinking what will change? Alex has to find her way through this and in many ways it is good to see a grown up admitting to not doing everything perfectly while carrying wounds from her childhood and then finding out that maybe she has recreated the pattern of being tough and strong on the outside from her mum and that maybe it’s not the best role model after all.Most of the novel feels very real and true to life. I wasn’t always convinced by how sensible and mature Izzy is at times but maybe I have forgotten that age. kids often know more than we credit them in our attempts to protect them.I didn’t love the novel but i enjoyed much of it. It is a bit predictable but I would read another by the same author. (I played five aside football at age 10 and 11 and supported my local London by going to the matches so I really liked that aspect of Izzy. But it has taken over 50 years to reach a novel and as I played in a team and we played other teams there must be a lot of other over 60 year old women who have similar memories).