I'm kind of in a love-hate relationship with this book. I didn't like how the conversations are pointless sometimes. Some of the conversations contain either unnecessary or unrealistic exchanges. Some thoughts are not carried through and are just hanging for nothing. It seems the author wanted to fit in more lessons than the story could afford. I don't even know why the title IS the title. We don't get to know who Freddie is until about maybe half the book. And there's the family story - the (step)dad being not a stepdad. The friend experiencing a tragic fate and was left out for most of the part in the middle and has resurrected in the end. I was uncomfortable with those.

But to be honest, I couldn't help but like it in the end. The brilliance of the novel is in the two women of different generations - how they first fell in love with the 'art' of a man (i.e., their dancing) and have been blinded for what awaits them in the form of men that they know are proximate and real. The story has depth and real goodness in it. Only you have to keep on reading until the end for the same reason that you wouldn't have liked eating raw ingredients before the baking is done.

Love Notes for Freddie is a rich, heart warming tale about love and loss. Marnie FitzPatrick is schoolgirl from a well to do family. In a moment of madness Marnie acts out of character and gets herself in trouble. Her life is changed forever and her actions lead to devastating consequences.

Marnie’s maths teacher, Miss Crewe, is upset that her most promising student has let her down. She is disappointed in Marnie and tries to encourage her to keep working towards her goals and ambitions. Miss Crewe knows all too well that never achieving your true potential or reaching your goal can leave you with a life of heartbreak and regret.

Freddie Friday, a factory worker, brings the two women together with a common goal. It is up to all characters to work hard and see if they can ever be truly successful.

I love Eva Rice’s books. The Misinterpretation of Tara Jupp has been a firm favourite of mine since it was released. It was for this reason alone that I was eager and excited to read Rice’s latest offering – Love Notes for Freddie. Once again, Eva Rice did not disappoint.

I loved the parallels between Marnie and Miss Crewe. They both loved Freddie in very different ways and for very different reasons but you felt that the love was powerful in them both. They both saw the logic side of things and had a mathematical way of understanding and dealing with life until Freddie came into their respective worlds.

My favourite thing about Eva Rice as an author is how she blends reality, real world people and events, within her narrative. She never sounds clichéd when she describes the era she is writing about which I think is definitely a massive skill that Rice possesses.

Much like her previous novels, Love Notes for Freddie is a triumph.

Love Notes to Freddie by Eva Rice is available now.

Follow Eva Rice (@EvaRiceAuthor) on Twitter.

Eva Rice did it again.
Damn, how I love her books. Her characters are splendid, shining in their reality. I don't know, I just love them.

The characters are unique, not in a special-most-original sort of way, they just are.

There really is something about those books I really love.

Also, the cover is lovely, the book so soft in your hands. I swear, holding it and reading this really beautiful GRIT story was so sweet.

You have my love forever, Eva Rice.

I'd love to read more or Marnie's story, though I know it won't be likely we'll get more. On any case, this book is full of hope and love and you should read it.

I have read and enjoyed some of Rice's previous books, so had high hope for this, particularly as I generally enjoy boarding school stories! However, while all the characters were interesting, only Julie Crewe was likeable enough for me to really care about.

I received an advance digital copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Netgalley Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. The story is gripping, highly entertaining, I loved the dual point of view from two different women, of different age too. I loved the setting, the story telling... Great, great book.