Honor And Evie

by Susannah Bates

Honor and Evie: cousins and best friends, yet so very different. Honor is intelligent, beautiful and popular - good fortune seems to fall into her lap. But for Evie life is harder.

Honor adores Evie for her unconventionality, her honesty and her naughty sense of humour - although others find Evie prickly and impatient. And Evie loves Honor for her calmness, her loyalty and absolute integrity - traits that some might find a little too predictable, even a little dull...

But as Honor and Evie leave girlhood behind, their friendship is tested to its limit. Can they still remain close when their choices and ideals are so very different? Or are these women destined to grow in opposite directions, grow up and grow apart?

Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sharon Metcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time the recommendation was by Penny Vincenzi but that wasn't why I bought it. I remembered feeling impressed by her first novel and figured it was worth a try. I'm not sorry I read it but it wasn't really something that would make me want to rush out and buy more of Susannah Bates books (if there are any). Honor & Evie are cousins and best friends. Honor is the priveleged, wealthy, beautiful and smart cousin. She's the one that always attracts people to her and her manner is gentle and kind. Evie on the other hand is almost the opposite. It's not that she's unattractive but by comparison she doesn't warrant a second glace. She struggles with her education, she's a bit radical and almost thrives on saying the wrong thing. Whilst Honor is at Oxford dating Abe an aspiring actor, Evie is working as a waitress but she meets and starts dating Matthew, a journalist. Evie has never been happier but after several months together Matthew ends the relationship saying that it's not fair on Evie as he has a crush on someone else. That someone else is Honor, not that he lets Evie know that. As the years roll by the fortunes of the two girls change. Honor remains wealthy but she is married to Edward who does not really appear to love her and despite several IVF attempts and expensive treatment, they cannot get pregnant and the marriage fails. Evie on the otherhand has started a career in real estate and is thriving. She is financially independent and successful, and she has made an effort with her appearance over the years. So when Matthew meets her again he realises his mistake but of course there's a few hurdles and it's not until the very end of the book that they book declare their love for each other. It was okay as far as books go. I liked most of the characters but the story just wasn't as compelling as I might have hoped.

[Pranjal Sahu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again bought this book from Pragati maidan book fair. Don't know why but I think it was the cover photo which made me curious about this novel.
It's a simple story of two girls who are cousin actually and have spent almost whole of their life together. The two girls being brought up in different family background, have different aspirations from life.

The story mainly revolves around their love life and the relationship with the family. Decent characters. Decent story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant, undemanding book about two cousins who are very different, but best friends during their teens. Most of the book takes place in their early twenties as their interests start to diverge. Well-written without too much emotion, no fast action, but sympathetic and well-drawn characters.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, dragged on in the middle a bit and the ending was a little predictable

[Jennie O'bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant easy read - a little unbelievable but happy to suspend reality for a long weekend read

[Carinya Kappler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in modern London this novel by Susannah Bates is easy charming witty reading for those readers who enjoy family sagas. The author employs her particular talent for characterization but allows her readers to make their own minds up about some of the pitfalls and expectations that go hand in hand with wealth and privilege. The two cousins Honor (born into wealth and elevated social standing), and Evie (rebellious and poor) are best friends. They share their lives, their friends and have established a life-time bond with each other.
This is not a suspense novel but it certainly contains many highs and lows as the years progress and the girls enter their adult years. I love this type of Maeve Binchy style and found the book very enjoyable.
Carinya