This Is How It Ends by Kathleen MacMahon

Reviewed by Dianne Blashill

The book club were given this as an unpublished novel, we had sample review copies, which I think is so exciting. To be given a new book that no-one else has touched and that no-one else has yet read makes me feel warm and special. So I’ve been holding off writing this review until the book is available to everyone as it’s one of the most moving and believable novels I’ve read this year.

The problem with being a real book reviewer would be having to say mean things about a book you had to review, the joy about writing reviews for Female Lifestyle is that I don’t review anything I’ve not enjoyed. No nasty emails for me from writers who’ve poured everything into their book and then had it dismissed as light or having a bad ending. So when I say you will love this book I really mean it.

Kathleen MacMahon, is a television reporter and despite this being her first novel was given a very large advance, which made headlines through the publishing world; that must be a worrying situation – everyone is going to speculate on a book written under those circumstances. She needn’t worry about this review.

If you’re a Marian Keyes fan this is a book for you. Set in contemporary Ireland by the sea – who can resist such a love story? A lot of the ladies at book club didn’t recognise the music references but that didn’t spoil their enjoyment of the story.

Addie and her sister were brought up by their widower, doctor father who has spent his life shutting out other people so when Bruno, an American turns up looking to research the family tree he is given short shrift. The doctor is facing disciplinary measures and is nursing a broken arm from falling over Lola the dog, Addie has moved in with him to look after him which isn’t a satisfying arrangement for either party.

After a mix up between a bag of dog pooh and a bunch of keys Addie and Bruno finally meet, she is an architect who wants to design swimming pools, Bruno is an ex Lehman Brothers employee who has come to Dublin to escape the American presidential elections.

Addie, a 38 year old woman, has got surgery scars, cellulite, grey pubic hair, and isn’t the shape of an 18 year old model, Bruno is overweight, loves Bruce Springsteen, is unemployed and annoys Addie but the true heroine of this novel is Lola the dog who stays at Addie’s side throughout the story, Addie says Lola has ‘a beautiful heart’ and everyone at book club loved her.

The descriptions of Lola and Addie on the beach swimming, listening to music and Addie screaming out her pain are so touching, when she does fall in love with Bruno you just want it to work out for them.

As the title is ‘This Is How It Ends’ and Bruno says he’ll not return to America unless Obama wins the election you read it with a sense of heart-wrenching doom as their romance blossoms. What can I say without spoiling it for you? You’re wrong – that’s not how it ends but when it ends it really really ends and you’ll need hankies. Don’t finish on the bus going to work is the best advice I can offer.

Published by Sphere Books £12.99

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