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Only Dad
According to their friends, Tom and Pippa Drummond have the perfect existence - a great lifestyle, a lively marriage, and a great kid in Tally. In their late thirties, living in a converted barn on the edge of the Sussex Downs, Tom is a partner in 'The Pelican', a restaurant in Axbury Minster, and Pippa, after a short career as a cook, grows herbs for sale locally and brings up sixteen-year-old Tally - a lively blonde with her head screwed firmly on to her shoulders. A rare summer holiday is planned - an idyllic retreat in the Italian hills. Tom takes time off from the restaurant, Pippa leaves her herbs in the charge of a dotty neighbour, and Tally takes a break from the two men in her life - fast-living Alex and the plodding, persevering 'Blip'. Tuscany is everything they hoped it would be - cicadas in the trees, the scent of sage and citrus and suppers under the stars. But their joy is short lived. Overnight their lives, their circumstances, their very identities are suddenly altered, and life will never be the same again. From being the envy of their friends, the Drummonds are plunged into a world that nobody would wish upon them.
357 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 22, 2015
I loved this book. I am definitely falling in love with Alan Titchmarsh as an author. He has a lovely, descriptive writing style and his stories are great. I will be reading more.
June 27, 2022
A light, easy read with likeable characters.
August 16, 2022
Easy read. Tears and laughter in equal mix.
February 6, 2017
A surprisingly enjoyable light read. If I hadn't known it had been written by Alan Titchmarsh I think I would have enjoyed it more! Reading the sex scenes was a bit like watching a romantic film with your dad in the room....
His writing is really lovely in places but pretty cheesy in others. There are beautiful descriptions of places and scenes & some unexpected bursts of great humour and/or insight but they don't really flow with the dialogue & plot. The ending was pretty predictable and most of the characters (with the exception of the two main ones) were one dimensional. I didn't like how big events were glossed over 'the days passed in a blur' 'suddenly a year had gone by.' However, it did keep pulling me back and I looked forward to seeing what happened next.
It felt like the first novel from someone with great potential.
His writing is really lovely in places but pretty cheesy in others. There are beautiful descriptions of places and scenes & some unexpected bursts of great humour and/or insight but they don't really flow with the dialogue & plot. The ending was pretty predictable and most of the characters (with the exception of the two main ones) were one dimensional. I didn't like how big events were glossed over 'the days passed in a blur' 'suddenly a year had gone by.' However, it did keep pulling me back and I looked forward to seeing what happened next.
It felt like the first novel from someone with great potential.
July 19, 2011
This is a typical love-loss-acceptance-recovery book. Often not my cup of tea, but I did enjoy this one.
Tom, Pippa, and their daughter Tally are the perfect British family. Then on holiday in Tuscany Pippa dies suddenly. The story is basically how Tom and Tally cope with her death.
I listened to the audio version which was narrated by the author. I felt that his matter-of-fact, not melodramatic, reading added much to my enjoyment of the story.
The fact that I enjoyed this and didn't like Wide Sargasso Sea probably says a lot about by intellectual level - but let's not go there.
Tom, Pippa, and their daughter Tally are the perfect British family. Then on holiday in Tuscany Pippa dies suddenly. The story is basically how Tom and Tally cope with her death.
I listened to the audio version which was narrated by the author. I felt that his matter-of-fact, not melodramatic, reading added much to my enjoyment of the story.
The fact that I enjoyed this and didn't like Wide Sargasso Sea probably says a lot about by intellectual level - but let's not go there.
May 1, 2022
Alan at his best, very nice read on a dreary day!
January 16, 2016
An easy read, quite touching really. It made me consider reading more of his stuff.
March 10, 2023
A really beautifully crafted story. Some reviews are less than complimentary, but Alan's writing style flows naturally.It is not a challenging read, with realistic conversations between his characters, showing their different ages and stages of life. His descriptions of nature are detailed and his knowledge of plants is evident within that. He describes a whole range of emotions, from happiness to grief, as someone who has experienced them all. He also clearly understands teenage daughters well, making his characters real. His clever use of humour often shows an immediate picture of a character or scene; "She squeezed out a smile and revealed her shortcomings in the dental department." Alan deserves a full 5 stars for this story, told with poignancy and humour in equal measure.
October 23, 2023
This novel isn't what I was expecting. (Perhaps I should have read the reviews before starting; instead, I read only the blurb.) I picked it up for some light relief during a difficult period, and it did provide that, but only at first.
The event that alters "their lives, their circumstances, their very identities" turned out to be something rather triggering for me, and from that place in the story, the mood changes. I paused for a few days, wondering whether I really wanted to continue reading. Eventually, I returned to the book and I'm glad I did. The writing made it easy to whizz through. Yes, the story was quite predictable, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
The event that alters "their lives, their circumstances, their very identities" turned out to be something rather triggering for me, and from that place in the story, the mood changes. I paused for a few days, wondering whether I really wanted to continue reading. Eventually, I returned to the book and I'm glad I did. The writing made it easy to whizz through. Yes, the story was quite predictable, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
October 27, 2020
¿Lo volvería a leer con entusiasmo?
Si.
He leído esta novela corta unas 5 veces, llego a mis manos muy joven, producto de las ediciones especiales del reader digest, aunque soy fanatico de la ciencia ficción, el terror y la novela épica, no puedo dejar de darle valor a otros géneros si están muy bien narrados, tal es el caso de esta novela sobre amor y vivencias adolescentes, lo interesante es cómo se vive la adolescencia en la campiña inglesa y la transición de los personajes de niños a adolescentes. Muy buena novela corta.
Si.
He leído esta novela corta unas 5 veces, llego a mis manos muy joven, producto de las ediciones especiales del reader digest, aunque soy fanatico de la ciencia ficción, el terror y la novela épica, no puedo dejar de darle valor a otros géneros si están muy bien narrados, tal es el caso de esta novela sobre amor y vivencias adolescentes, lo interesante es cómo se vive la adolescencia en la campiña inglesa y la transición de los personajes de niños a adolescentes. Muy buena novela corta.
July 8, 2017
My mum loved Alan's books. Sadly she passed a few months ago and while looking through her many books to decide which to keep or giveaway, I browsed the first chapter of this one which caught my eye, and I was quickly hooked. Maybe the similarity in the suddenness of loss but I really enjoyed it and will be keeping the selection she has. The Last Lighthouse Keeper is next!
May 30, 2020
Tom and Pippa Drummond have the perfect existence - an enviable lifestyle, a happy marriage and a great kid their teenager Tally. A rare summer holiday is planned at an idyllic retreat in the Italian Hills. Tuscany is everything they hoped it would be, but their joy is short lived as overnight their circumstances, their lives are altered and will never be the same again.
November 23, 2023
This book has a bit of everything. Had me laughing and then there were the very sad bits which were so sad. The teenage girl who dad is the one she turns and has him wrapped around her little finger. Her maturing and then her mother's death and the struggles they go through together. Eventually mourning moves on and a new life begins for both of them together and individually.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2017
An engaging story of love and loss and love found again - of love amongst teenagers and love amongst those much older.
Alan Titchmarsh has a light touch but a great eye for detail that paints the picture. You can hear his voice narrating the story!
Alan Titchmarsh has a light touch but a great eye for detail that paints the picture. You can hear his voice narrating the story!
June 10, 2021
Always an easy read
I think I've read it before but enjoyed the story line.
One chapter had a number of typos
which must have been missed.
Otherwise true Titmarsh story lines, describing plants etc.
A bit twee but I overall enjoyed it.
but enjoyed it.
I think I've read it before but enjoyed the story line.
One chapter had a number of typos
which must have been missed.
Otherwise true Titmarsh story lines, describing plants etc.
A bit twee but I overall enjoyed it.
but enjoyed it.
November 18, 2021
A lovely read . A couple a weeks gap when I mislaid the book but it was easy to pick up again. Mr Titchmarsh’s descriptions are great and I felt great sympathy for the characters at the sad parts of the story. I find his books easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable , I will definitely read more!
July 19, 2023
Fun and short read on a family going through changes.
It is focused on the changing relationship between a dad and his teenage daughter in the midst of the circumstances around their lives - love, grief, friendships, businesses etc.
It is focused on the changing relationship between a dad and his teenage daughter in the midst of the circumstances around their lives - love, grief, friendships, businesses etc.
April 4, 2025
I enjoyed this book, the third of Alan's that I have read. The only reason that I have not rated it higher is the typos that there are in the book, which I found extremely annoying. His light style of writing I find most enjoyable and his storyline is always good.
November 21, 2025
Fue una novel muy conmovedora, es fácil de digerir y todo se centra en la vida de un papá que quiere ser escritor pero termina siendo dueño de medio restaurante, todo parece ir bien pero sucede un evento inesperado en un viaje que le cambia su vida, sin duda tienen que leerlo.
May 5, 2017
Simple writing potraying emotions of a normal man and teenager.
August 9, 2017
I was surprised by some of the things inside this book especially as it was wrote by Alan Titchmarsh. However this was a very easy light read that I breezed through on holiday.
September 8, 2017
Ok but nothing special
Predictable but an OK light read, dont think I shall be buying more though. Sugest you stick to gardening Alan.
Predictable but an OK light read, dont think I shall be buying more though. Sugest you stick to gardening Alan.
June 28, 2018
Es entretenido pero nada sorprendente
July 21, 2018
Very nicely written and engaging, the feelings created emotionally surprising. Nice story - as in fine for a couple of days during the holidays.
August 10, 2018
I found this a bit cheesy overall. I won’t be seeking out Alan’s other novels and am frankly quite amazed that his writing has been praised so highly!
September 14, 2018
I just enjoy these books. A Good read.
December 10, 2018
Love old school Alan Titchmarsh. Beautifully written, lovely story. My only issue is the fact it finished to quick! Lovely build up, nice middle, then it just finished!
August 31, 2019
Very poignant at this time in my life. An easy read but some major issues covered well.
October 15, 2019
had to put this down a lot due to how relatable it is but managed to make it to the end, does a really good job of putting into words how it feels to lose a parent and ended up being a positive read
January 30, 2020
Given this book 5* because it was an easy entertaining read with a happy ending. Sometimes that’s what I need to read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews