Imagine Living

Imagine Living

Genre: History, mystery, suspense, thriller

Series: Disappearing Home series book 2 of 2

Publisher:  Summer Seat Press

Date Published: 2023

Book Length: 218

Format: Paperback provided to me by the author in return for an honest review

 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

Star Rating: ighly recommend

About Book: It's 1980, Liverpool, Robyn is happy living with May, her nan. She is safe and well cared for. When her nan dies, sixteen-year-old Robyn finds herself homeless. She dreams of finding her father and finding a home. But she has no idea where to begin her search. Imagine Living opens as Robyn is working in her first job, in Waterford's Bakery. It is here she meets an array of characters who befriend her, but some of the characters are dangerous, searching for the most vulnerable in society to exploit. Robyn must find ways to escape them, as she is forced into navigating her own way in the world, doing her utmost to stay alive.Throughout Imagine Living, readers are jolted with unexpected surprises, through the kindness of strangers and heartwarming moments of joy. How can Robyn be both living on the streets, where violence and poverty prevail, and own a Dior dress? And how will she handle being blackmailed and bullied? Robyn is in possession of an unstoppable sense optimism and loyalty to those she loves. Her kindness is seen by some as a weakness. But don't cross her, as she's formidable at protecting herself, described by many who meet her as a survivor.

My Thoughts: Imagine Living by Deborah Morgan is book 2 in the Disappearing Home series but can be read as a stand-alone book. It is based in 1980 and I really enjoyed reading about the people in this period and felt Deborah Morgan captured the vibrant essence of the 1980’s seamlessly weaving a narrative that immersed me in the cultural tapestry of the era. With meticulous attention to detail, bringing the streets, people and period to life evoking a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that transported me back to the atmosphere of the 1980’s. The book had humour and wit, but periods of fear and hope all of which made me love the main protagonist Robyn more and more. The relationship between Robyn and her Nan was heartwarming and testament to the enduring power and love of family portrayed with authenticity, in the period enriching the narrative.

I laughed at the wit and humour of the time and cried at the loss and despair as if I was taking every step with Robyn. She was resilient and vulnerable all at the same time.

In conclusion, the book is about love, loss and trying to find your way along with family, friends and foes. A great read that had lost of emotion and a cultural tapestry of the 1980’s that I recommend if you love books about family, friends, and the past.