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    Summary

    Jamie MacAfee's life is almost perfect. She's sure she loves her fiancée, even if she hasn't quite worked out why she won't set a wedding date and she certainly adores her job, working as an architect on their family home renovation show. Meanwhile, her beloved mother Caroline has built up her confidence after a painful divorce, working closely alongside her daughter as the very successful host of Gut It!. Everything is going to plan, until the lives of both women are changed overnight.  

    When the TV channel plan to replace Caroline with Jamie as the show's host, Caroline is left feeling horribly betrayed - and old in the eyes of the world. Then tragedy strikes, leaving Jamie guardian to her small, orphaned step-brother and fiancée to a man who doesn't want the child.  

    Who am I? Both women ask, as the blueprints they've built their lives around break down. While loyalties shift, decisions hover, and new relationships tempt, it's time to find out what they really want - and where their future lies...

    Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky
    B

    4

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    Review

    I’ve never read anything by Barbara Delinsky before, but her books have always caught my eye and I’ve always thought ‘one day’ and I was happy to be given the opportunity to read and review her newest book Blueprints. The plot sounded emotive and just the type of story, similar to those that I love from the likes of Diane Chamberlain and others.  

    After a brief intro to the TV show ‘Gut It’, we’re introduced properly to Jamie as she meets with her father, Roy. He breaks the news that it’s been decided that Caroline, Jamie’s mum will not host the show. Jamie is unhappy about this and the drama unfolds from there. Most of the time, I found myself absorbed into the story, however about a third of the way in, I found it a bit too slow paced and my interest waned. However, this didn’t last long and as soon as Jamie finds Chip, a new friend to help her with her new found motherhood, things picked up again.  

    It was great to read two viewpoints, both Jamie’s and Caroline’s. Hearing Caroline’s reaction to her being replaced was fascinating, how her upset turned into doubt, and accusatory tones towards her daughter and best friend Jamie. It was understandable, but at the same time frustrating, you know she’s completely wrong, and while Jamie could have done things slightly differently, ultimately, I can’t claim I would have done different. As I said though, I can understand why Caroline was suspicious.  

    I think because I am about the same age as Jamie, I can relate a lot more to her than I could Caroline. At times Caroline frustrated me, not just over the initial mistrust of Jamie, but seemingly  her stubbornness in keeping the tension between them. It felt that Jamie was trying so hard at times, especially with everything else going on. There were a few other things that I wasn’t sure about with Caroline’s story arc, and I do feel it’s more than likely because of the age difference between Caroline and I. Ask me in about 25 years and then I’ll let you know how I feel and understand her then.  

    The other characters were all really well written. Brad was utterly infuriating, it was hard to imagine why Jamie had ever gone out with him, they were chalk and cheese. Chip was charming, as was Dean. I really, really liked Samantha, and while she would have had no reason to turn up earlier in the book, I wish I had got to know her better.  

    Overall I enjoyed this book, it had a cute epilogue that I really enjoyed and I was utterly enthralled to see where Jamie’s story would end. This at heart is a book about family, and what it means by overcoming obstacles, and getting over the hurt we can unintentionally cause.  

    Published by: Piatkus
    Gratefully received from the Publisher for review  

    View Book on Goodreads
    Order on: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

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    Jamie MacAfee's life is almost perfect. She's sure she loves her fiancée, even if she hasn't quite worked out why she won't set a wedding date and she certainly adores her job, working as an architect on their family home renovation show. Meanwhile, her beloved mother Caroline has built up her confidence after a painful divorce, working closely alongside her daughter as the very successful host of Gut It!. Everything is going to plan, until the lives of both women are changed overnight.  <br /><br /> When the TV channel plan to replace Caroline with Jamie as the show's host, Caroline is left feeling horribly betrayed - and old in the eyes of the world. Then tragedy strikes, leaving Jamie guardian to her small, orphaned step-brother and fiancée to a man who doesn't want the child.  <br /><br /> Who am I? Both women ask, as the blueprints they've built their lives around break down. While loyalties shift, decisions hover, and new relationships tempt, it's time to find out what they really want - and where their future lies...Blueprints by Barbara Delinsky

    Rachale's Reads

    About Me

    My name is Rachel, or Rachale as my husband calls me. I love to read books, it doesn't matter if they're in Hardback, Paperback, Digital or Audio, I love nothing more than absorbing myself in a good book.

    I am also obsessed with Disney, Video Games and Harry Potter. I help host a book club at my most favourite pub (well, currently I'm hosting via Zoom, but hopefully it will be back to the pub some point in the near future) which combines my love of books with the pleasure of a glass of wine or cider while socialising with my friends.

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