Jozi Gold

by Leanne Hunt

It is 2010, the year of the Soccer World Cup in South Africa. Like everyone else, Jeannie is caught up in the electric atmosphere. She has no idea that her sister's arrival from Australia is about to expose the fragility of her idyllic lifestyle.
Capturing the energy and sensual verve of South Africa's most exciting city, this fast-paced novel brings together family values and romance, heartbreak and resolve. Ultimately inspiring, it is the story of a woman who refuses to be crushed and rises again from tragedy to reinvent her future with courage and hope.

Genres: South Africa

328 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2012

About the author

Leanne Hunt is a South African author who values honest communication and learning. She developed juvenile macular degeneration—a retinal eye disease—in her early teens and has made living with sight loss part of her life story. Her interest in personal growth drew her towards Christianity early on, and has led to study and research in the areas of counselling, spirituality, psychology and theology. Her hobbies include knitting, song writing, singing and reading. She is married with two grown-up daughters who live overseas.

Reviews

[John Mountford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite our national team not making it past the first round, the Soccer World Cup of 2010 was an uplifting experience for most South Africans. As the host nation we had the pleasure of watching the drama unfold in our own back-yards as we shared in the joy and pain of the combatants.
Such was my experience in reading Leanne Hunt’s debut novel, JOZI GOLD, which has as it's setting this exciting sporting event: some disappointment in finding that this was not in the range of my preferred reading matter, but enjoyment in letting myself go and taking the ride anyway.

It was like watching a piece of intimate theatre from the front row. Craig and Jeannie Parker both seem to be about to score an own goal in their marriage of twenty years: Craig as an entitled, self-centred husband; and Jeannie as the wife who allows him to be so. This, it seems, is the way it is going to stay, until Jeannie’s no-nonsense sister, Karen, comes to visit from Australia. She spots the foul, dishes out a yellow card, and the game is on.

This drama about infidelity, and the ripple effect it can have, is cleverly told by Leanne. The cast of characters is varied, and the results for each of them unexpected. The reader is kept guessing ‘til the end as to the what the final score in this game of relationships will be. The result is a satisfying one, whichever team you are rooting for.
For those of the fairer sex, I’m sure you will find JOZI GOLD is a read well-worth the investment of your time; for you gents, this may just be a rare opportunity for you to get some inside information on how to play what is perhaps the most important game in life: how to love, and be loved in return.

[Keryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed 'Jozi Gold' and managed to read it in only three sittings, which is quite an achievement for me. I found it so easy to pick up and carry on from where I left off, with a storyline that became increasingly fascinating. Leanne Hunt shows her understanding of human emotions in turmoil, across family, friend, marriage and various other relationships with this psychological romantic drama set amongst the frantic last-minute preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa. A good holiday or 'light escape' read, highly recommended.

[Louella Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Jozi Gold in one sitting and loved it's authenticity. I would definitely recommend.

[Leanne Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light read, ideal for the holidays and likely to appeal especially to fans of Maeve Binchy and Cathy Kelly.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the type of book I usually read but I found this novel a lovely change. Easy to read, nice story, definitely would recommend, especially to take away on a holiday

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on a Goodreads Giveaway! It was filled with love, lust, betrayal, lessons learned - a well rounded story.