thumbnail_Strays and Relations

Synopsis

Strays and Relations follows the story of Dizzy, whose search for her birth parents is sad, humorous, and in parts bizarre. Dizzy learns that she began life as a surviving twin, then Strays - 1504328032 was fostered until a permanent home was found. Dizzy begins her search for her original identity. Why was she given up for adoption in the 1960s? Following a tenuous lead, she travels to Ireland with her best friend Sugar, but the trail takes a misleading turn. It ends in what they mistakenly believe is Dizzy’s mother’s grave. Dizzy falls in love with Will, a blacksmith. But something is missing. Dizzy’s life changes when her birth father Tommy makes contact using a private detective. He reveals that her birth mother is alive and married to a man called Vernon. Now the bigger, trickier task lies ahead: working out how to fit the disparate bits of her life together. This is a book which will both amuse and touch readers’ hearts. Strays and Relations manages sensitive subject matter with engaging wit and sharply-observed dialogue, and includes vivid descriptions of some rather unusual animals and people. It will appeal to readers who have encountered a recycled animal or family.

Purchase Links

https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/contemporary/strays-and-relations/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strays-Relations-Hours-Decades-Greenfield-ebook/dp/B07BGF2YKF/

Review

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Thank you to the author and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well, this is certainly a book that is full of emotions and takes you on quite the ride as you follow Dervla (Dizzy) on her journey of meeting her birth parents and all that comes with it!

Now this story is a fictionalized version of the authors own experiences and stories and I think this really shows in the book, although fictionalized it helps give a very real feeling to the book and the connection with the characters and I felt that although I myself am not adopted I could still really relate to all the characters throughout the book. It was also great to see the emotional and somewhat psychological aspects affecting all of the characters within the story as of course, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions for all involved. I also really enjoyed being able to add a bit of a troublesome dog to the equation!

A great four and a half star read!

Rating: 4.5/5

Would I read again: Yes

Would I Recommend: Yes

Would I read another book from this author: Yes

About the Author

I have lived in the West Country all of my life, but never in such a remote place as I do now – in the middle of the woods with rooks and bats. It may be remote but it’s never thumbnail_Strays - Author Photo quiet in Dizzyland! When I’m not looking after the dogs, chickens and a six-toed cat, I help run a blacksmith’s forge with my partner.