Louis & Louise by Julie Cohen

Louis & Louise

by

Julie Cohen

Today I am really excited to be on the blog tour for this compelling and addictive read from Julie Cohen, and published by Orion Fiction who I would like to thank for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. I would like to thank Tracy Fenton for inviting me to take part in the tour. 

I hope you enjoy my review. 

Book Description
One life, Lived twice. 

Louis and Louise are the same person born in two different lives. They are separated only by the sex announced by the doctor and a final 'e'.

They have the same best friends, the same red hair, the same dream of being a writer, the same excellent whistle. They both suffer one catastrophic night, with life-changing consequences. 

Thirteen years later, they are both coming home.

My review

this is a brilliant and addictive read that I read in one afternoon after not being able to put it down.

This book is made up of the two stories of Louis Alder and Louise Alder that are perfectly entwined into one story.  It is one that tells the story of two lives that are changed completely after an incident that happens when they are both eighteen that will change their lives forever and see them both leave Cassablanca, the town they call home. It is only after receiving the devastating news of their mothers cancer that they both head home again will they be able to put the past behind them once and for all. Really enjoyed getting to know both of the main characters as they grew up and you really feel like you are part of their history too as their surroundings are so well described too. I enjoyed learning about the different experiences they both had due to their gender. you also learnt how each other bonded with those around them and how it was very different for both of them growing up. It was also very interesting reading about the lives of their parents, how their experiences of being parents and lives were different from others around them and also it brought up the idea of the differences in classes and backgrounds back in the 1970s and 1980s. 

When they both head back to their hometown of Casablanca you get a good insight into how their lives have progressed and changed as a result of what happened to them both on prom night and the decisions they made with their lives after that. 

When they both headed back home to Casablanca you get to see how the lives of those left behind have changed and how the relationships for them all have changed. They both meet up with their childhood best friends, Twins, Allie and Benny, who also had struggles in their lives whilst growing up after the dramas that happened during the 1980s in the town. You see how their lives were affected by the events on that same night.

The writing by Julie Cohen is this book is fantastic and so very descriptive. I think the idea of this book is brilliant and one that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. 

This book is available from 24th January 2019 in Hardback and ebook.

About the Author

Julie Cohen

Julie grew up in the western mountains of Maine. Her house was just up the hill from the library and she spent many hours walking back and forth, her nose in a book. She studied English Literature at Brown University and Cambridge University and is a popular speaker and teacher of creative writing, including classes for The Guardian and Literature Wales. Her books have been translated into fifteen languages and have sold nearly a million copies; DEAR THING was also a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Julie lives in Berkshire with her husband, son and a Terrier of dubious origin. 

   

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today and I hope you enjoyed my review.