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Hello, Again
' A dreamy, romantic, irresistible treat'
Lindsey Kelk
' Emotional, enthralling and exquisitely written'
Cathy Bramley
___________
Philippa Taylor (Pepper to her friends) has big dreams. When she closes her eyes, she can picture exactly who she ought to be. The problem is, it's about as far away from her real life in a small coastal town in Suffolk as she can imagine.
So when her elderly friend Josephine persuades Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Europe, she jumps at the chance to change her routine. And when Pepper bumps (literally) into the handsome Finn in Lisbon, it seems as though she might have finally found what she's been looking for.
But Pepper know all too well things are rarely as they seem. Her own quiet life hides a dark secret from the past. And even though she and Finn may have been destined to find each other, Pepper suspects life may have other plans as to how the story should end.
A romantic and sweeping story about friendship, love and realising that sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination.
Lindsey Kelk
' Emotional, enthralling and exquisitely written'
Cathy Bramley
___________
Philippa Taylor (Pepper to her friends) has big dreams. When she closes her eyes, she can picture exactly who she ought to be. The problem is, it's about as far away from her real life in a small coastal town in Suffolk as she can imagine.
So when her elderly friend Josephine persuades Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Europe, she jumps at the chance to change her routine. And when Pepper bumps (literally) into the handsome Finn in Lisbon, it seems as though she might have finally found what she's been looking for.
But Pepper know all too well things are rarely as they seem. Her own quiet life hides a dark secret from the past. And even though she and Finn may have been destined to find each other, Pepper suspects life may have other plans as to how the story should end.
A romantic and sweeping story about friendship, love and realising that sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2020
52 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Isabelle Broom
19 books447 followersIsabelle Broom also writes as Izzy Broom. She is the award-winning author of 13 novels and is published in 14 overseas territories. Having left heat magazine in 2018, where she’d spent over five years as book reviews editor, she began writing full-time alongside continued freelance work. She lives in Suffolk, surrounded by books, family, unruly dogs, and a rooster from the farm next door, which has inexplicably fallen in love with her. Her most recent novel, The French Guesthouse, is arriving on 6 November 2025.
You can follow Izzy on Twitter/X and Instagram/Threads @Isabelle_Broom or find her on Facebook under Isabelle Broom Author.
You can follow Izzy on Twitter/X and Instagram/Threads @Isabelle_Broom or find her on Facebook under Isabelle Broom Author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 28, 2020
Obvs ; )
Exciting news coming soon on this – stay tuned!
Exciting news coming soon on this – stay tuned!
June 4, 2020
Travel to the wonderful locations in Hello Again by isabelle broom
There’s never been a better time than a literary getaway courtesy of Isabelle Broom. Ah this writer is wonderful for weaving wanderlust-inducing locations with heartwarming and heartbreaking plots.
Hello, Again is quite the literary journey! We follow Pepper as she goes on a journey in more ways than one.She’s had a bad time of it lately and has only just existed really since a tragedy in her family. Enter good friend Josephine who asks her to be her travel companion as she wants to revisit countries where certain memories have been left behind. (Josephine can I just say I am available for any such travel!) Where does Josephine want to travel to and why? What will the journeys mean for Pepper?
From then on, Isabelle takes us on a tour of Lisbon, Hamburg and Barcelona to seek out Josephine’s trail of memories. This in itself is a lovely story and sad too, about why she’s travelling around like this and the effect it’s having on her. Pepper is enjoying the travelling as an escape but it won’t be long before she has more than escaping to think about.
Ooh dare I say more? What a wonderful story of two women travelling together with one following a trail of memories whilst the other makes new ones.Two very strong stories woven together with a writer whose skills is evident on every page. Each place, practically every ‘scene’ she paints comes to life right off that page. I felt I was wandering the streets in Lisbon and walking down La Rambla in Barcelona. It was Germany that provided the best surprise though! The locations moved the stories on, shaped them, coloured them and gave clues as to the stories of the characters themselves. I like to think of each place in the novel like a postcard – Isabelle showed a wonderful images of each city, but behind it, on the other side, you could read between the lines and see how these places were affecting the characters. That stamp then linked their journey to the story and family they had left behind.
Ok so enough of the postcard analogy, this was just such a cleverly woven plot and style of writing that I want to read this all over again. Would Pepper find romance? Would Josephine complete her trail? Oh I was there every step of the way. I miss them now I’ve closed the book. This would be THE most perfect book to BookTrail in real life.
I might have to go back in. Hello, Again as it’s name suggests could also be titled Read, Again.
June 26, 2020
I always love Isabell’s Broom’s writing and her ability to take me all over the world with her books.
I adored the travel aspect of this book because we get to go to some more unusual locations. I loved visiting Lisbon, Guernsey and Hamburg in the novel. I loved the sights and the sounds as well as the food and the drink of course. This author has such a way with words you can fall in love with a place and have the urge to visit even if you hadn’t even given it a second thought before. I also love her writing because you can literally taste everything her characters are eating, I just wish I didn’t feel the hangovers as much after the wine!
Pepper is an interesting and complex character. I will admit that I did struggle to connect with her a little over the course of the novel. She has had a certain amount of tragedy in her life and acts accordingly. I do feel like she is a little selfish at times but when we get to know her and her past, especially her family life we can see why. Then we have Jospheine who is definitely a positive influence in Pepper. She also has a selfish streak but in a ‘I don’t care what you think of me’ kind of way which is really hard not to love.
Of course we don’t just have a love story when it comes to travel and location in this novel, we also get to meet Finn who takes a liking to our Pepper. Again though I did struggle to connect with him on the page a little, I was wishing someone better would come along, I guess I just have very different tastes to Pepper and that is just fine.
I loved the travel in this novel, I loved the writing and as always Isabelle Broom has left me with such vivid pictures in front of me thanks to her wonderful description and I can’t wait to see where she is going to take me next.
I adored the travel aspect of this book because we get to go to some more unusual locations. I loved visiting Lisbon, Guernsey and Hamburg in the novel. I loved the sights and the sounds as well as the food and the drink of course. This author has such a way with words you can fall in love with a place and have the urge to visit even if you hadn’t even given it a second thought before. I also love her writing because you can literally taste everything her characters are eating, I just wish I didn’t feel the hangovers as much after the wine!
Pepper is an interesting and complex character. I will admit that I did struggle to connect with her a little over the course of the novel. She has had a certain amount of tragedy in her life and acts accordingly. I do feel like she is a little selfish at times but when we get to know her and her past, especially her family life we can see why. Then we have Jospheine who is definitely a positive influence in Pepper. She also has a selfish streak but in a ‘I don’t care what you think of me’ kind of way which is really hard not to love.
Of course we don’t just have a love story when it comes to travel and location in this novel, we also get to meet Finn who takes a liking to our Pepper. Again though I did struggle to connect with him on the page a little, I was wishing someone better would come along, I guess I just have very different tastes to Pepper and that is just fine.
I loved the travel in this novel, I loved the writing and as always Isabelle Broom has left me with such vivid pictures in front of me thanks to her wonderful description and I can’t wait to see where she is going to take me next.
July 19, 2020
Romance novel set mainly in ALDEBURGH
Philippa (otherwise known as Pepper) is an artist living in Aldeburgh. She is flamboyant in her dress sense and quite self effacing about her artistic competencies. She has a shovel-load of life issues going on… the loss of her younger sister when she was 13 is still raw and this bereavement impedes a good enough relationship between her and her mother. Dad has moved on and is due to marry his much younger lover.
So, when Pepper happens to meet the much older Josephine, she embraces their friendship – she is something positive in her life. Josephine is determined to revisit the scenes of an earlier love affair, something she wants to do before she gets too old and infirm, and she invites Pepper to accompany her. First stop is Lisbon, where they explore the city and sample the custard tarts with gusto. This is the first time that Pepper has actually left Aldeburgh and environs, so it is a big deal. There, Pepper serendipitously meets Finn, a German young man who has a lot about him. She falls for him and he for her. She is soon heading for his home town of Hamburg and they confirm that there is something life affirming about their relationship.
in Barcelona, together with Josephine once again, they explore the top sites and Park Güell is a delight for her, with all the mosaics. She is an artist and mosaicist and feels inspired to create something really memorable. Pepper is ALWAYS on the look out for bits and pieces of interest that she can use in her mosaics.
What does Pepper’s future look like….?
The author is tremendous at sharing her love of location with her readers. In Hamburg she flags the wonderful sites to visit (and bars – like Strandpauli, for example) and revels in the delights of Lisbon and Barcelona. If you want to follow Isabelle and Pepper’s literary footsteps, then there are plenty of venues to visit should you be so inclined.
This is a wonderful story of romance, life issues and location, that will transport you away from everyday worries – even just for a few hours. A good Summer read.
Philippa (otherwise known as Pepper) is an artist living in Aldeburgh. She is flamboyant in her dress sense and quite self effacing about her artistic competencies. She has a shovel-load of life issues going on… the loss of her younger sister when she was 13 is still raw and this bereavement impedes a good enough relationship between her and her mother. Dad has moved on and is due to marry his much younger lover.
So, when Pepper happens to meet the much older Josephine, she embraces their friendship – she is something positive in her life. Josephine is determined to revisit the scenes of an earlier love affair, something she wants to do before she gets too old and infirm, and she invites Pepper to accompany her. First stop is Lisbon, where they explore the city and sample the custard tarts with gusto. This is the first time that Pepper has actually left Aldeburgh and environs, so it is a big deal. There, Pepper serendipitously meets Finn, a German young man who has a lot about him. She falls for him and he for her. She is soon heading for his home town of Hamburg and they confirm that there is something life affirming about their relationship.
in Barcelona, together with Josephine once again, they explore the top sites and Park Güell is a delight for her, with all the mosaics. She is an artist and mosaicist and feels inspired to create something really memorable. Pepper is ALWAYS on the look out for bits and pieces of interest that she can use in her mosaics.
What does Pepper’s future look like….?
The author is tremendous at sharing her love of location with her readers. In Hamburg she flags the wonderful sites to visit (and bars – like Strandpauli, for example) and revels in the delights of Lisbon and Barcelona. If you want to follow Isabelle and Pepper’s literary footsteps, then there are plenty of venues to visit should you be so inclined.
This is a wonderful story of romance, life issues and location, that will transport you away from everyday worries – even just for a few hours. A good Summer read.
May 27, 2020
Pepper has never left the country and it’s about time she did.
I always have incredibly high expectations of Isabelle Broom’s writing and once again she didn’t disappoint. From the very first page I was completely enchanted by the romantic, descriptive and emotional writing so that Hello, again made me smile, weep and gladdened my heart. I thought it was wonderful.
As I expected, I was completely transported to the settings of the book through the painterly attention to detail, the weather, the colours, sights and textures that Isabelle Broom always manages to meld into evocative pictures in the reader’s mind. Aldburgh, Lisbon and Barcelona are very familiar to me and in Hello, again they are so vividly presented that I found myself transported out of lockdown and back to glorious streets, making me feel as if I had had a city break and had even visited Hamburg where I’ve never actually been. I found this element of Hello, again completely distracting so that all the cares of the real world vanished.
I thought the story in Hello, again was so romantic without being remotely saccharine. There’s a realism too that is incredibly satisfying because I believed completely in the outcomes. There’s palpable, vibrant life here that makes the reader feel as if they are part of the action. It might sound mad to say so, but I felt as if I somehow ‘belonged’ with Hello, again; as if I had found my place in the world.
I loved Pepper. I loved her dress sense (or lack of it) her self-deprecating personality, her creativity and her relationships, but above all I loved the way she developed as an individual through the narrative, teaching herself and the reader that although our past may help shape who we are today, it doesn’t have to constrain who we might become in the future. This was such a heartwarming theme that it makes me feel emotional just thinking about it after I’ve finished the read. Although this is a romance and Jorge and Finn help drive the action with Otto providing brilliant light relief, it is Isabelle Broom’s exploration of womanhood that touched me so completely. She understands the complexities of relationships that women have and the way in which they judge themselves and others. I was so ensnared by the women here that I wanted to hold each one at some point in the story to provide emotional support. I forgot that these were not real people because I cared about them so much.
The themes of Hello, again are thoughtful, sensitively handled and beautifully written so that the story tugged at my heart, rekindled memories and illustrated to me to the positive potential of my life. Apart from longing to try creating a mosaic of my own, I felt as if Isabelle Broom had looked deep inside my mind, had seen what I needed to read about, including love, friendship, relationships, self-belief, guilt, forgiveness and identity and that she had somehow written Hello, again just for me. It felt intensely intimate and personal.
I loved Hello, again. Reading it brought me joy and happiness. It’s just the kind of book the world needs right now and Isabelle Broom is the perfect author to write it. Just glorious.
I always have incredibly high expectations of Isabelle Broom’s writing and once again she didn’t disappoint. From the very first page I was completely enchanted by the romantic, descriptive and emotional writing so that Hello, again made me smile, weep and gladdened my heart. I thought it was wonderful.
As I expected, I was completely transported to the settings of the book through the painterly attention to detail, the weather, the colours, sights and textures that Isabelle Broom always manages to meld into evocative pictures in the reader’s mind. Aldburgh, Lisbon and Barcelona are very familiar to me and in Hello, again they are so vividly presented that I found myself transported out of lockdown and back to glorious streets, making me feel as if I had had a city break and had even visited Hamburg where I’ve never actually been. I found this element of Hello, again completely distracting so that all the cares of the real world vanished.
I thought the story in Hello, again was so romantic without being remotely saccharine. There’s a realism too that is incredibly satisfying because I believed completely in the outcomes. There’s palpable, vibrant life here that makes the reader feel as if they are part of the action. It might sound mad to say so, but I felt as if I somehow ‘belonged’ with Hello, again; as if I had found my place in the world.
I loved Pepper. I loved her dress sense (or lack of it) her self-deprecating personality, her creativity and her relationships, but above all I loved the way she developed as an individual through the narrative, teaching herself and the reader that although our past may help shape who we are today, it doesn’t have to constrain who we might become in the future. This was such a heartwarming theme that it makes me feel emotional just thinking about it after I’ve finished the read. Although this is a romance and Jorge and Finn help drive the action with Otto providing brilliant light relief, it is Isabelle Broom’s exploration of womanhood that touched me so completely. She understands the complexities of relationships that women have and the way in which they judge themselves and others. I was so ensnared by the women here that I wanted to hold each one at some point in the story to provide emotional support. I forgot that these were not real people because I cared about them so much.
The themes of Hello, again are thoughtful, sensitively handled and beautifully written so that the story tugged at my heart, rekindled memories and illustrated to me to the positive potential of my life. Apart from longing to try creating a mosaic of my own, I felt as if Isabelle Broom had looked deep inside my mind, had seen what I needed to read about, including love, friendship, relationships, self-belief, guilt, forgiveness and identity and that she had somehow written Hello, again just for me. It felt intensely intimate and personal.
I loved Hello, again. Reading it brought me joy and happiness. It’s just the kind of book the world needs right now and Isabelle Broom is the perfect author to write it. Just glorious.
January 7, 2021
I loved the character of Josephine, she has so many elements to her personality, and I loved how she managed to persuade her friend Pepper to go on trips to Lisbon and Barcelona with her, places where she once spent time with the love of her life.
Pepper has never been abroad and has had a personal tragedy at a young age that fractured her family. She is a complex character, who really does develop and change as the story progresses.
However my favourite bits which will come as no surprise to anyone that knows me at the bits set abroad, and Isabelle Broom once again proves how talented she is at describing places. I got a real feel for Lisbon, Barcelona and a couple of other places that I'll leave you to discover.
For me I'd have loved more than a few days in each place with most of the book feeling like it was set in the UK, and although those sections were good, I'm always in favour of more holidays!
Pepper runs small art classes and believes art if for everyone but yet she has very little confidence in creating her own work. But I loved seeing things through her artistic eyes.
It's an enjoyable story from an author I always look forward to reading.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.,
Pepper has never been abroad and has had a personal tragedy at a young age that fractured her family. She is a complex character, who really does develop and change as the story progresses.
However my favourite bits which will come as no surprise to anyone that knows me at the bits set abroad, and Isabelle Broom once again proves how talented she is at describing places. I got a real feel for Lisbon, Barcelona and a couple of other places that I'll leave you to discover.
For me I'd have loved more than a few days in each place with most of the book feeling like it was set in the UK, and although those sections were good, I'm always in favour of more holidays!
Pepper runs small art classes and believes art if for everyone but yet she has very little confidence in creating her own work. But I loved seeing things through her artistic eyes.
It's an enjoyable story from an author I always look forward to reading.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.,
July 3, 2020
I've really enjoyed Isabelle Broom's writing before and this is another lovely, beautifully written book. The sense of place is just wonderful, as an author she is so brilliant at describing places so that they leap off the page and you feel like you can see and hear and smell them all around you. The book made me want to visit Lisbon and Barcelona especially, they're described so vividly and with such obvious affection.
I'm really loving books at the moment that feature romance but are really more about female relationships and this was a perfect example. Although Pepper's romance was fun to read, I was far more captured by and invested in her friendship with Josephine and her fractured and difficult relationship with her Mum. In particular the Mother-daughter relationship is handled beautifully here, touching on grief and guilt and love and healing, it's a tricky, emotional and worthwhile journey to go on with the characters.
I would definitely recommend this beautiful story of being brave, going on a journey both literal and figurative, and discovering yourself.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I'm really loving books at the moment that feature romance but are really more about female relationships and this was a perfect example. Although Pepper's romance was fun to read, I was far more captured by and invested in her friendship with Josephine and her fractured and difficult relationship with her Mum. In particular the Mother-daughter relationship is handled beautifully here, touching on grief and guilt and love and healing, it's a tricky, emotional and worthwhile journey to go on with the characters.
I would definitely recommend this beautiful story of being brave, going on a journey both literal and figurative, and discovering yourself.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 20, 2020
A brilliant read. I love everything Isabelle Broom writes.
December 3, 2021
Im sitting here shedding a tear…. This was a delightful read. I loved it!
Art, romance, friendship, travel and sadly grief. What a fantastic romantic love story. Life is hard, tough.
Excerpt:
‘Welcome to life, darling.’ Josephine sighed. ‘A series of complicated conundrums, one after the other. I am almost twice your age, and they still appear to be coming thick and fast.’
Just don’t let what happens in the past define you.
Would highly recommend a read.
Art, romance, friendship, travel and sadly grief. What a fantastic romantic love story. Life is hard, tough.
Excerpt:
‘Welcome to life, darling.’ Josephine sighed. ‘A series of complicated conundrums, one after the other. I am almost twice your age, and they still appear to be coming thick and fast.’
Just don’t let what happens in the past define you.
Would highly recommend a read.
May 12, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was recently recommended Isabelle Broom novels by Lindsey Kelk but this is the only one I have read so far.
Hello Again is the story of Pepper (Phillipa) a struggling artist who destroys everything she creates as she doesn’t think it’s good enough. She has a broken heart. Her parents split and he sister passed away, so when her elderly friend Josephine offers her the chance to go travelling to Europe with her she agrees. Will travelling help Pepper to find her creative spirit and fix her broken heart?
The book takes us to Lisbon, Hamburg and Barcelona - all 3 Cities I have never visited but with Isabelle Broom’s descriptions I could see how beautiful these places were.
For me, Hello Again is not a novel about romance, it’s more about friend and family relationships and mending broken hearts. I thought this was a beautifully written book that was very moving with likeable characters and is one I am more than happy to recommend.
I was recently recommended Isabelle Broom novels by Lindsey Kelk but this is the only one I have read so far.
Hello Again is the story of Pepper (Phillipa) a struggling artist who destroys everything she creates as she doesn’t think it’s good enough. She has a broken heart. Her parents split and he sister passed away, so when her elderly friend Josephine offers her the chance to go travelling to Europe with her she agrees. Will travelling help Pepper to find her creative spirit and fix her broken heart?
The book takes us to Lisbon, Hamburg and Barcelona - all 3 Cities I have never visited but with Isabelle Broom’s descriptions I could see how beautiful these places were.
For me, Hello Again is not a novel about romance, it’s more about friend and family relationships and mending broken hearts. I thought this was a beautifully written book that was very moving with likeable characters and is one I am more than happy to recommend.
May 7, 2020
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for a digital review copy via NetGalley - the comments are my unbiased opinion.
I've read a few books by Isabelle Broom and have enjoyed being whisked away to different countries such as Sri Lanka, Greece and New Zealand. This book offers a scenic tour of three European cities in Spain, Portugal and Germany - all of which sounded wonderful in very different ways.
The story follows Pepper as she starts to move forward with her life after the tragic loss of her sister many years ago. Visiting Lisbon and Barcelona with her older friend and art client Josephine inspires Pepper to seek out happiness and new creative ideas.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Beautifully written as usual, characters to care about and an epilogue that made me weep. I've also found myself googling how to make mosaics.
The ebook publication date has been brought forward to 4th June 2020 and the paperback is published on 9th July 2020.
I've read a few books by Isabelle Broom and have enjoyed being whisked away to different countries such as Sri Lanka, Greece and New Zealand. This book offers a scenic tour of three European cities in Spain, Portugal and Germany - all of which sounded wonderful in very different ways.
The story follows Pepper as she starts to move forward with her life after the tragic loss of her sister many years ago. Visiting Lisbon and Barcelona with her older friend and art client Josephine inspires Pepper to seek out happiness and new creative ideas.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Beautifully written as usual, characters to care about and an epilogue that made me weep. I've also found myself googling how to make mosaics.
The ebook publication date has been brought forward to 4th June 2020 and the paperback is published on 9th July 2020.
November 7, 2020
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/revie...
I’ve loved being a part of these character’s lives as they come to realisations, grow and their relationships deepen.
Pepper is a fabulous flawed character. I felt inspired by her creativity! I loved this theme throughout the story.
Her relationship with her mother is a tricky one with feelings not acknowledged and emotions closed off. Our minds are the absolute worst when they don’t know the truth aren’t they! We’re our own greatest enemies sometimes. If loss has touched your life, you will relate to how people deal with grief differently. And everyone can relate to the intricacies and complications of relationships with authority figures. Some ultimately beautiful moments with these two touched my heart.
I really enjoyed Pepper’s friendship with Josephine. On their quest to finding Jorge their friendship grows although it’s clear that Josephine is holding something back. These two brought moments of belonging as well as sadness.
Pepper learns so much about herself alongside Finn. Sharp edges of destruction smooth out. And her maturity shows in the decisions she has to make. I did feel tension waiting for the ‘other plans’ from the blurb to drop. Loved this twist!
Isabelle Broom takes us to some wonderful settings in her stories and Hello, Again is no exception. I’ve experienced Lisbon, Barcelona and Hamburg not only as a tourist but also as a local. A holiday in your pocket 🙂
Hello Again has all the feels. Moments of highs and moments of lows. If, like me, you need that emotional connection in your stories, these characters will wind you in a web and capture your heart. Recommended read.
I’ve loved being a part of these character’s lives as they come to realisations, grow and their relationships deepen.
Pepper is a fabulous flawed character. I felt inspired by her creativity! I loved this theme throughout the story.
Her relationship with her mother is a tricky one with feelings not acknowledged and emotions closed off. Our minds are the absolute worst when they don’t know the truth aren’t they! We’re our own greatest enemies sometimes. If loss has touched your life, you will relate to how people deal with grief differently. And everyone can relate to the intricacies and complications of relationships with authority figures. Some ultimately beautiful moments with these two touched my heart.
I really enjoyed Pepper’s friendship with Josephine. On their quest to finding Jorge their friendship grows although it’s clear that Josephine is holding something back. These two brought moments of belonging as well as sadness.
Pepper learns so much about herself alongside Finn. Sharp edges of destruction smooth out. And her maturity shows in the decisions she has to make. I did feel tension waiting for the ‘other plans’ from the blurb to drop. Loved this twist!
Isabelle Broom takes us to some wonderful settings in her stories and Hello, Again is no exception. I’ve experienced Lisbon, Barcelona and Hamburg not only as a tourist but also as a local. A holiday in your pocket 🙂
Hello Again has all the feels. Moments of highs and moments of lows. If, like me, you need that emotional connection in your stories, these characters will wind you in a web and capture your heart. Recommended read.
June 19, 2020
This is a prime example of reading the right book at the wrong time. Typically I would be drawn to this easy breezy read filled with adventure, romance, drama and everything else in between but I just wasn't able to make a connection. Characters were likable and during their trip, as a reader you can't help but hope Josephine finds her long lost love and Pepper to find the courage to give love a chance with a man she met aboard. This is definitely on my list to re-read down the line when I am at a better head space and perhaps in the second go around, Finn would warm me like Samuel, who I had been rooting for since the get-go.
June 28, 2020
Philippa (known as Pepper to her friends) has lived her whole life in the picturesque coastal town of Aldeburgh in the East of England. A life numbed by grief following the accidental death of her sister Bethan two decades ago; a life only partly lived as Pepper has given up her dreams of travel and ambition to become a professional artist. Instead, she has sought refuge in teaching art through her own community project ‘Arts For All’. Outside of work, she socialises with a few close friends and her mother. A mother whose remote distant existence has been defined by her younger daughter’s death and no one, not even Pepper can find a way through to her.
Into this world Pepper’s older and feisty friend, Josephine, cajoles her to come along on a trip to Lisbon to try and discover what happened to Josephine’s first and true love, Jorge. What Pepper does not realise is that Josephine’s invitation becomes the catalyst which alters her entire life.
Wow! As the pair arrive in Lisbon the novel truly takes off and luckily this is only the first of five trips abroad that Philippa ends up making.
Lisbon is described in glorious lush technicolour detail, capturing the mesmerising beauty of the city and its people. The author paints a vivid image of the capital, the serenity palpable through the wonderful and magical depiction. I felt transported to Lisbon (and later the other destinations); yet I must reinforce that at no stage is the energy and ease of the narrative sacrificed for the sake of the locations.
Travel is so much more than sightseeing and this is case for Pepper who finds herself transformed through her travels and experiences. First in Lisbon she meets a German named Finn and the two of them seem destined to be together. As the story moves back to Aldeburgh, then to Hamburg, Barcelona and Guernsey, Pepper finds increasing creativity and freedom within herself as she faces the guilt of moving forward with her life, both personally and artistically.
“Guilt that her own pain did not run deep enough, that she dared to hope for elation in the wake of tragedy.”
Excerpt from ‘Hello, Again’.
Romance is interwoven throughout the book and interestingly played out across the various generations. Whilst the love interest between Pepper and Finn dominate, her enigmatic friend Simon becomes a frequent presence in her life. The romantic life of Josephine and even that of her mother and father also are explored with sensitivity and warmth.
Through this powerful portrayal of love, loss and friendship I found myself drawn ever deeper into the lives of all the characters, hooked by their tangled romantic encounters and I cheered along as they found a life beyond sadness. Nothing is predictable and the continual surprises ensure this is a rewarding, thoughtful and entertaining book.
Finally, a note to myself! How has this author not been on my radar! ‘Hello, Again’ is Isabella Broom’s eighth book and I now look forward to catching up with some of her previous works. I think I’ve got my summer reading sorted!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
Into this world Pepper’s older and feisty friend, Josephine, cajoles her to come along on a trip to Lisbon to try and discover what happened to Josephine’s first and true love, Jorge. What Pepper does not realise is that Josephine’s invitation becomes the catalyst which alters her entire life.
Wow! As the pair arrive in Lisbon the novel truly takes off and luckily this is only the first of five trips abroad that Philippa ends up making.
Lisbon is described in glorious lush technicolour detail, capturing the mesmerising beauty of the city and its people. The author paints a vivid image of the capital, the serenity palpable through the wonderful and magical depiction. I felt transported to Lisbon (and later the other destinations); yet I must reinforce that at no stage is the energy and ease of the narrative sacrificed for the sake of the locations.
Travel is so much more than sightseeing and this is case for Pepper who finds herself transformed through her travels and experiences. First in Lisbon she meets a German named Finn and the two of them seem destined to be together. As the story moves back to Aldeburgh, then to Hamburg, Barcelona and Guernsey, Pepper finds increasing creativity and freedom within herself as she faces the guilt of moving forward with her life, both personally and artistically.
“Guilt that her own pain did not run deep enough, that she dared to hope for elation in the wake of tragedy.”
Excerpt from ‘Hello, Again’.
Romance is interwoven throughout the book and interestingly played out across the various generations. Whilst the love interest between Pepper and Finn dominate, her enigmatic friend Simon becomes a frequent presence in her life. The romantic life of Josephine and even that of her mother and father also are explored with sensitivity and warmth.
Through this powerful portrayal of love, loss and friendship I found myself drawn ever deeper into the lives of all the characters, hooked by their tangled romantic encounters and I cheered along as they found a life beyond sadness. Nothing is predictable and the continual surprises ensure this is a rewarding, thoughtful and entertaining book.
Finally, a note to myself! How has this author not been on my radar! ‘Hello, Again’ is Isabella Broom’s eighth book and I now look forward to catching up with some of her previous works. I think I’ve got my summer reading sorted!
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
July 4, 2022
“Os médicos estão sempre a lembrar-me de que a doença de Parkinson não é fatal – desconsiderou Josephine. - Mas é uma sentença de morte para a espontaneidade e para a independência.”
Por vezes chega uma altura da vida em que nos apercebemos de tudo o que deixamos de fazer e talvez já não seja possível concretizar os nossos sonhos, e isso pode acontecer das mais diversas formas.
Doença impossibilitadora, algo mal resolvido, medo de enfrentar as consequências,enfim as mais variadas razões. A vida é complicada, por vezes levamos "pancadas" umas atrás das outras, e quando nos estamos a levantar, lá vem outra para nos deitar a baixo de novo.
"(...) todos somos mosaicos. Todos nós somos uma soma das nossas partes. (...) algo belo a partir de algo partido?"
"A morte não tem que ser um ponto final na vida", pelo menos de quem sobrevive a ela. Mas para isso é preciso fazer o luto e é essa parte que pode ser muito complicada, em especial se for de alguém muito próximo e que nos deixe um sentimento de culpa, um sentimento de que poderia ter sido evitado.
Um grande amor não vivido e a morte de um familiar muito próximo tornam as vidas de Josephine e Pepper “incompletas”. Cada uma delas tem algo no seu passado que não as deixa avançar “livremente”, algo mal resolvido.
Quando Josephine descobre que está com Parkinson resolve partir para uma viagem onde pretende pôr fim a uma história de amor que não foi vivida e pede para isso a ajuda de Pepper. Nessa viagem Pepper vai começar a aceitar (porque saber não é o mesmo que aceitar e só aceitando se tenta resolver) o que também não está bem na sua vida, ao encontrar Finn, um Alemão atraente , por quem se vai apaixonar nas ruas na nossa Lisboa.
Mas nem sempre as pessoas aparecem na nossa para ficar, assim como por vezes temos por perto pessoas que só vemos na realidade muito tempo depois.
Perda, luto, desilusão amorosa, amizade, arrependimento, últimas escolhas num romance maravilhoso onde fiquei de coração apertado muitas vezes. Torci por várias pessoas, emocionei-me tantas vezes. Mexeu mesmo com os meus sentimentos porque nos leva a pensar nas opções que tomamos na vida que é tão corrida e nos afasta por vezes do que é importante.
Muito bem escrito e com capítulos pequenos para uma leitura fluida e muito agradável. Adorei viajar pelas descrições de Lisboa feitas pela autora e com imensa vontade de conhecer Barcelona e Hamburgo. Também tem algumas partes divertidas, em especial a cena do morcego que adorei.
Finn, Pepper, Josephine, Samuel, Trinity, Otto, Clara, todas as personagens neste livro nos transmitem alguma coisa e adorei conhecer todos e ver as opções de vida que todos eles tomaram nesta história. Se tivesse que escolher uma personagem seria o Samuel, exatamente pelas opções de vida que fez.
Não estava à espera de gostar tanto deste livro, pensei que fosse uma história Clichê de um amor de férias e não é nada disso. Fala de assuntos muito importantes e chama-nos a atenção para a importância de darmos valor a nós próprios e pensar/arriscar a viver como e onde nos sentimos bem.
Até que ponto somos capazes de ajudar alguém, se nós próprios precisamos de ajuda?
É difícil fazer escolhas mas tentem aproveitar o melhor da vida todos os dias!
Mostrar citação
Por vezes chega uma altura da vida em que nos apercebemos de tudo o que deixamos de fazer e talvez já não seja possível concretizar os nossos sonhos, e isso pode acontecer das mais diversas formas.
Doença impossibilitadora, algo mal resolvido, medo de enfrentar as consequências,enfim as mais variadas razões. A vida é complicada, por vezes levamos "pancadas" umas atrás das outras, e quando nos estamos a levantar, lá vem outra para nos deitar a baixo de novo.
"(...) todos somos mosaicos. Todos nós somos uma soma das nossas partes. (...) algo belo a partir de algo partido?"
"A morte não tem que ser um ponto final na vida", pelo menos de quem sobrevive a ela. Mas para isso é preciso fazer o luto e é essa parte que pode ser muito complicada, em especial se for de alguém muito próximo e que nos deixe um sentimento de culpa, um sentimento de que poderia ter sido evitado.
Um grande amor não vivido e a morte de um familiar muito próximo tornam as vidas de Josephine e Pepper “incompletas”. Cada uma delas tem algo no seu passado que não as deixa avançar “livremente”, algo mal resolvido.
Quando Josephine descobre que está com Parkinson resolve partir para uma viagem onde pretende pôr fim a uma história de amor que não foi vivida e pede para isso a ajuda de Pepper. Nessa viagem Pepper vai começar a aceitar (porque saber não é o mesmo que aceitar e só aceitando se tenta resolver) o que também não está bem na sua vida, ao encontrar Finn, um Alemão atraente , por quem se vai apaixonar nas ruas na nossa Lisboa.
Mas nem sempre as pessoas aparecem na nossa para ficar, assim como por vezes temos por perto pessoas que só vemos na realidade muito tempo depois.
Perda, luto, desilusão amorosa, amizade, arrependimento, últimas escolhas num romance maravilhoso onde fiquei de coração apertado muitas vezes. Torci por várias pessoas, emocionei-me tantas vezes. Mexeu mesmo com os meus sentimentos porque nos leva a pensar nas opções que tomamos na vida que é tão corrida e nos afasta por vezes do que é importante.
Muito bem escrito e com capítulos pequenos para uma leitura fluida e muito agradável. Adorei viajar pelas descrições de Lisboa feitas pela autora e com imensa vontade de conhecer Barcelona e Hamburgo. Também tem algumas partes divertidas, em especial a cena do morcego que adorei.
Finn, Pepper, Josephine, Samuel, Trinity, Otto, Clara, todas as personagens neste livro nos transmitem alguma coisa e adorei conhecer todos e ver as opções de vida que todos eles tomaram nesta história. Se tivesse que escolher uma personagem seria o Samuel, exatamente pelas opções de vida que fez.
Não estava à espera de gostar tanto deste livro, pensei que fosse uma história Clichê de um amor de férias e não é nada disso. Fala de assuntos muito importantes e chama-nos a atenção para a importância de darmos valor a nós próprios e pensar/arriscar a viver como e onde nos sentimos bem.
Até que ponto somos capazes de ajudar alguém, se nós próprios precisamos de ajuda?
É difícil fazer escolhas mas tentem aproveitar o melhor da vida todos os dias!
Mostrar citação
July 6, 2020
Pepper runs art classes where she helps others to realize their artistic potential, but has no faith in her own talent. She has lived all her life in the Suffolk coastal town of Aldeburgh, where a family tragedy has haunted her for the past twenty years. When her elderly friend, Josephine, requests her company on a trip to Europe to revisit old haunts associated with her first love, Jorge, Pepper decides the time has come to broaden her horizons.
It is in Portugal that Pepper first meets and falls in love with Finn, who runs a restaurant in Hamburg with his friends; he is also in the process of setting up a website for artists to display and sell their work. He and Pepper are trying to make their long distance relationship work when something happens that puts all their plans in jeopardy – no spoilers here though, so you’ll have to read Hello, Again for yourself to find out.
Lisbon is described by Isabelle Broom with an artist’s eye – the pictures made from brightly coloured mosaic tiles everywhere they look, rows of houses where each one is a different pastel hue, and the Banksy-style arty graffiti decorating the walls. I started out knowing nothing about the city but would definitely love to go there now. Same goes for Barcelona with its colourful, vibrant streets and all the wonderful buildings designed by Gaudi.
Hello, Again is a beautifully written story with vivid descriptions and totally believable characters. At the beginning, Pepper seems weighed down by grief and guilt at the loss of her sister so many years before, but when Josephine encourages her to spread her wings, and Finn convinces her that she is talented, she takes the first steps on the road to recovery.
This is the first book I have read by Isabelle Broom, but I fully intend to explore her back catalogue as soon as I can. Thanks to the author, Hodder and NetGalley for a review copy.
It is in Portugal that Pepper first meets and falls in love with Finn, who runs a restaurant in Hamburg with his friends; he is also in the process of setting up a website for artists to display and sell their work. He and Pepper are trying to make their long distance relationship work when something happens that puts all their plans in jeopardy – no spoilers here though, so you’ll have to read Hello, Again for yourself to find out.
Lisbon is described by Isabelle Broom with an artist’s eye – the pictures made from brightly coloured mosaic tiles everywhere they look, rows of houses where each one is a different pastel hue, and the Banksy-style arty graffiti decorating the walls. I started out knowing nothing about the city but would definitely love to go there now. Same goes for Barcelona with its colourful, vibrant streets and all the wonderful buildings designed by Gaudi.
Hello, Again is a beautifully written story with vivid descriptions and totally believable characters. At the beginning, Pepper seems weighed down by grief and guilt at the loss of her sister so many years before, but when Josephine encourages her to spread her wings, and Finn convinces her that she is talented, she takes the first steps on the road to recovery.
This is the first book I have read by Isabelle Broom, but I fully intend to explore her back catalogue as soon as I can. Thanks to the author, Hodder and NetGalley for a review copy.
April 14, 2020
Very good. Love how this author can make you believe that you have been to another country without leaving your seat. The settings were richly described and believable as you felt like you were in Lisbon, Hamburg and Barcelona roaming the streets breathing in all the sights and sounds. Characters were well rounded and felt like like real people and you felt every emotion they were going through. Thank you Netgalley for the free copy.
October 23, 2024
I had my doubts about this one to start with. I feel Pepper intinally felt she needed a man to sort her life out instead of wanting one to help her grow. The huge shift changes when Pepper believes in herself. It becomes a case of loving someone and letting them go. I preferred the friendship between herself and Finn. Josephine is a fantastic character too in her own right. 3.5 stars
September 27, 2020
Lovely scene-setting and vivid descriptions allowed me to imagine the journey taken by some unique characters in this engaging easy to read story.
July 8, 2020
If like me you are missing your summer holiday and craving a change of scene you can always rely on Isabelle Broom to take you on a voyage of discovery and a little literary sightseeing. Her books are always the most perfect descriptions of the cities and destinations and Hello, Again is no exception.
Phillipa Taylor - Pepper to her friends - has always lived in her small coastal town in Suffolk. As a child she had dreams to travel around the world but a series of events have conspired to leave her back where she always has been. When her elderly friend Josephine begs her to join her on a trip across Europe to relive the heady days of her youth it seems like a dream come true. While searching for Josephine's lost love in Lisbon they literally bump into Finn and it seems like he and Pepper may be destined to be together.
This is a sweet story with just the right amount of pathos and interest, liberally combined with a vivid travel guide to some of the most beautiful European cities. Travel restrictions aside it makes you want to jump on a plane and discover the sangria and paella for yourself. The sights and sounds of travel come alive in this book as the story of Finn and Pepper unfolds.
Supplied by Net Galley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.
Phillipa Taylor - Pepper to her friends - has always lived in her small coastal town in Suffolk. As a child she had dreams to travel around the world but a series of events have conspired to leave her back where she always has been. When her elderly friend Josephine begs her to join her on a trip across Europe to relive the heady days of her youth it seems like a dream come true. While searching for Josephine's lost love in Lisbon they literally bump into Finn and it seems like he and Pepper may be destined to be together.
This is a sweet story with just the right amount of pathos and interest, liberally combined with a vivid travel guide to some of the most beautiful European cities. Travel restrictions aside it makes you want to jump on a plane and discover the sangria and paella for yourself. The sights and sounds of travel come alive in this book as the story of Finn and Pepper unfolds.
Supplied by Net Galley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2020
I love Isabelle Broom’s style of writing and this latest charm is no exception. Featuring Pepper (Philippa) who has been broken since the tragic death of her younger sister over twenty years ago and her lively older friend Josephine who has happy memories of her travels in her teens in the sixties. Pippa has lived a small life having never travelling abroad before but an opportunity to travel to Portugal and Spain with Josephine bring brightness and love into her life.
Pepper is a wonderful character, held back by the past and her fractured relationship with her mum yet she adds joy to the lives of many through the art classes she runs. I loved reading about her travels and the artistic discoveries she found,, the locations were brought to life so well and they were all very enticing. The parallels between her art and personality were very intelligently written and really made me think about the experiences we have and the impact on us.
Pepper is a wonderful character, held back by the past and her fractured relationship with her mum yet she adds joy to the lives of many through the art classes she runs. I loved reading about her travels and the artistic discoveries she found,, the locations were brought to life so well and they were all very enticing. The parallels between her art and personality were very intelligently written and really made me think about the experiences we have and the impact on us.
January 21, 2023
Foi um livro lido com uma pessoa amiga, e até estava com bastante expetativa de o ler, porque pensei que se ia centrar mais sobre Lisboa e se calhar descobrir alguns encantos por Lisboa que pudesse desconhecer. Contudo, a primeira parte é bastante interessante, não só por se passar por Lisboa, mas gostava de saber mais sobre a história de Josephine, e acabamos por descobrir o que se tinha passado na vida da mesma só no fim do livro, por isso gostava de ter visto ou neste caso, ter lido mais sobre ela. Sobre a Finn, gostei da aventura que foi andar pelos Países e também da sua própria descoberta. Dei 3 estrelas porque estava à espera de um bocadinho mais da história.
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April 19, 2021
I struggled to get into this book. But I still enjoyed the writing style of Broom and the descriptions of the places the character visited.
May 12, 2022
8 de 10*
Opinião:
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Opinião:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
July 10, 2020
Be prepared to be swept off your feet, just like our heroine Pepper as this delightful romance takes you on a whirlwind journey from Aldeburgh, Suffolk to Lisbon to Hamburg to Barcelona to Guernsey.
Artist Pepper is about to embark on a journey of self discovery thanks to her lovely friend, Josephine who although elderly is still bursting with joie de vivre and harbouring a mischievous streak. Accompanying her on a trip to Lisbon, Pepper helps Josephine indulge her desire to reminisce about her long ago romance with Jorge whilst she still can and revisit their old haunts. Stepping out of her comfort zone but wholeheartedly relishing in all Lisbon has to offer, Pepper is captivated by both Josephine’s stories of her first love as much as she is by this artists paradise. With an incredibly chance (and highly convenient!) encounter with handsome stranger Finn, could Pepper be following in her friend’s long ago footsteps and find love??
Hello Again is a charming life affirming read perfect for lockdown escapism with wonderful characters. As I read this on a gloomy drizzly summer’s day in July I welcomed how this storyline enveloped me in a cozy bubble of happiness, every fibre of my body warmed by an imaginary sunshine. I felt as if I was being treated to a whistle stop tour of Europe where I could soak up the sights and smells of Portugal, Spain and Germany alongside Josephine and Pepper, gorging myself on Portuguese custard tarts, Spanish tapas all rounded off with far too many sangrias or beers or Josephine’s favoured G&T’s.
With characters as likeable as Pepper and Josephine it’s hard not to let these imaginary people into your hearts especially when you understand that Pepper and her mother are still reeling from a tragic event that happened years ago, one that still has a powerful hold over them in the present. Both Pepper and her mother Trinity are like light bulbs that have been permanently dimmed thanks to the tragic death of sister/daughter Bethan years ago. The difference between these two women is that beneath the heartache and guilt Pepper’s true spirit is laying dormant, aching and ready to be set free. Underneath her sorrow is a colourful character wanting to be brought to life, her yet unexplored sense of adventure waiting to be ignited. To me,Pepper has a true zest for life that has been well and truly buried until Finn enters the frame and sweeps her up in a whirlwind of romance that makes you wistful for those heady days of a new love, experiencing all those intense exciting emotions that can make you feel invincible. Her hunger to devour all the wonderful sights these countries have to offer, satisfying the artist within whilst falling head over heels in love makes your heart swell with hope that Pepper’s future can be bright. Love may pose all kinds of risks such as hurt, rejection and deception but there’s nothing quite like falling in love as Pepper will undoubtedly discover.
Finn is perfectly cast as Pepper’s knight in shining armour, reawakening her thirst for love and adventure and believing she is a credible artist. It’s impossible not to hope that he can be her Prince Charming, that love at first sight truly does exist.
Trinity on the other hand is a character devoid of any light or colour, it’s as if it’s all been drained away with the death of her daughter and the break up of her marriage. Left behind is a shell of a woman whose sadness emanates from every pore, her misery casting this huge shadow over the pair of them, her bitterness preventing their ability to move on from the past. This mother/daughter relationship has been fractured for a very long time but maybe there’s still chance for the cracks to heal.
Although I don’t have a creative bone in my body I loved the combination of art and romance this storyline provided. I marvelled in Pepper’s abilities to create beautiful pieces of art, spreading this love to other people through teaching. References to Gaudi and azulejos are sprinkled throughout the narrative, vividly bringing alive the history and delights of these regions.
There are many life lessons to be learned by both Pepper and her mother along the way, aided by the wise and incorrigible Josephine. Life is precious and they need to learn to leave the past firmly where it belongs whilst recognising they’ve been looking at life from entirely the wrong perspective. I loved the analogy between the broken fragments of their lives and the mosaics so adored by Pepper. There is beauty to be found in these broken pieces shaping the people they are today so that Bethan’s death doesn’t have to define their futures.
Blissfully romantic and hopeful, Hello Again is a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading and would recommend to those who revel in the chance to (virtually) escape to sunnier climes and daydream to your hearts content about being swept off your feet by a charming handsome suitor such as Finn.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.
Artist Pepper is about to embark on a journey of self discovery thanks to her lovely friend, Josephine who although elderly is still bursting with joie de vivre and harbouring a mischievous streak. Accompanying her on a trip to Lisbon, Pepper helps Josephine indulge her desire to reminisce about her long ago romance with Jorge whilst she still can and revisit their old haunts. Stepping out of her comfort zone but wholeheartedly relishing in all Lisbon has to offer, Pepper is captivated by both Josephine’s stories of her first love as much as she is by this artists paradise. With an incredibly chance (and highly convenient!) encounter with handsome stranger Finn, could Pepper be following in her friend’s long ago footsteps and find love??
Hello Again is a charming life affirming read perfect for lockdown escapism with wonderful characters. As I read this on a gloomy drizzly summer’s day in July I welcomed how this storyline enveloped me in a cozy bubble of happiness, every fibre of my body warmed by an imaginary sunshine. I felt as if I was being treated to a whistle stop tour of Europe where I could soak up the sights and smells of Portugal, Spain and Germany alongside Josephine and Pepper, gorging myself on Portuguese custard tarts, Spanish tapas all rounded off with far too many sangrias or beers or Josephine’s favoured G&T’s.
With characters as likeable as Pepper and Josephine it’s hard not to let these imaginary people into your hearts especially when you understand that Pepper and her mother are still reeling from a tragic event that happened years ago, one that still has a powerful hold over them in the present. Both Pepper and her mother Trinity are like light bulbs that have been permanently dimmed thanks to the tragic death of sister/daughter Bethan years ago. The difference between these two women is that beneath the heartache and guilt Pepper’s true spirit is laying dormant, aching and ready to be set free. Underneath her sorrow is a colourful character wanting to be brought to life, her yet unexplored sense of adventure waiting to be ignited. To me,Pepper has a true zest for life that has been well and truly buried until Finn enters the frame and sweeps her up in a whirlwind of romance that makes you wistful for those heady days of a new love, experiencing all those intense exciting emotions that can make you feel invincible. Her hunger to devour all the wonderful sights these countries have to offer, satisfying the artist within whilst falling head over heels in love makes your heart swell with hope that Pepper’s future can be bright. Love may pose all kinds of risks such as hurt, rejection and deception but there’s nothing quite like falling in love as Pepper will undoubtedly discover.
Finn is perfectly cast as Pepper’s knight in shining armour, reawakening her thirst for love and adventure and believing she is a credible artist. It’s impossible not to hope that he can be her Prince Charming, that love at first sight truly does exist.
Trinity on the other hand is a character devoid of any light or colour, it’s as if it’s all been drained away with the death of her daughter and the break up of her marriage. Left behind is a shell of a woman whose sadness emanates from every pore, her misery casting this huge shadow over the pair of them, her bitterness preventing their ability to move on from the past. This mother/daughter relationship has been fractured for a very long time but maybe there’s still chance for the cracks to heal.
Although I don’t have a creative bone in my body I loved the combination of art and romance this storyline provided. I marvelled in Pepper’s abilities to create beautiful pieces of art, spreading this love to other people through teaching. References to Gaudi and azulejos are sprinkled throughout the narrative, vividly bringing alive the history and delights of these regions.
There are many life lessons to be learned by both Pepper and her mother along the way, aided by the wise and incorrigible Josephine. Life is precious and they need to learn to leave the past firmly where it belongs whilst recognising they’ve been looking at life from entirely the wrong perspective. I loved the analogy between the broken fragments of their lives and the mosaics so adored by Pepper. There is beauty to be found in these broken pieces shaping the people they are today so that Bethan’s death doesn’t have to define their futures.
Blissfully romantic and hopeful, Hello Again is a book I thoroughly enjoyed reading and would recommend to those who revel in the chance to (virtually) escape to sunnier climes and daydream to your hearts content about being swept off your feet by a charming handsome suitor such as Finn.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.
June 16, 2020
I’m full of such love and hope. Full review will be on my blog ASAP.
Hello Again is my second buddy read from Isabelle Broom and once again it was a pleasure to read alongside my stateside friend. I can’t claim to have read all of Isabelle’s offerings I own them naturally, but what I can say is she has an uncanny habit of sweeping me off my feet. She also has a habit of giving me a bad case of wanderlust and seeing as holidays are being cancelled and work is still lacking I needed a little dose of vibrancy and this is exactly what I was given in abundance.
Hello Again in some aspects is a slow burner with a lot of the adorable Philippa’s (Pepper to her friends) secret sadness left until later on in the story. We are told pieces of the jigsaw but it’s left pretty open for a while leaving you as a reader wondering and turning those pages quicker and quicker.
When Josephine asks Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Lisbon this is when the story takes hold and the colour and warmth start spreading into the story. Pepper has longed to travel but guilt and grief have kept her existing for far too long. The trip sees a massive shift in her thought process and in being there for her friend. Lisbon is also home to the unexpected encounter which brings Finn into her path. She doesn’t realise just how much she needed to meet him until later in the story- it’s safe to say he opens her mind to a new mindset which also unlocks the door on her creativity.
This is so much more than a love story – as ever Isabelle takes us on a rollercoaster ride across Europe also taking in Hamburg and Barcelona. The mention of Barcelona piqued my interest as it’s one of the destinations I know and love and I could visualise it all. Making me long for my cancelled trip but also filling that gap in my life. It’s also made me think on about the other destinations with longing and wonder.
There are some further unexpected turns in Peppers friendships and family life. I adored seeing Pepper realise what she needed to do for both her friend and that of her mother. I also adored the fact this story has a cross generation I love hearing about older people amongst the young, we often can learn a lot from each other and I believe that was the case with Pepper and Josephine there story had me laughing and crying with equal measure.
Once again I truly loved the variation of characters Isabelle has created and I always adore a Hayley popping up in a story I enjoy. There are some complicated and in parts some heartbreaking themes to this book but it’s been done so with such grace. I don’t want to mention them any further as I don’t want to spoil the reveals.
Hello Again is a vibrant wonder in a complicated world. Alongside Pepper we are all shown the value of living in the moment and being true to ourselves. I like Pepper have also doubted myself and my capabilities over the years. Just like her I’m a work in progress looking to embrace and enjoy the simple pleasures I love in life. I will be recommending this book threefold and I definitely need the paperback of this beauty for my collection.
Hello Again is my second buddy read from Isabelle Broom and once again it was a pleasure to read alongside my stateside friend. I can’t claim to have read all of Isabelle’s offerings I own them naturally, but what I can say is she has an uncanny habit of sweeping me off my feet. She also has a habit of giving me a bad case of wanderlust and seeing as holidays are being cancelled and work is still lacking I needed a little dose of vibrancy and this is exactly what I was given in abundance.
Hello Again in some aspects is a slow burner with a lot of the adorable Philippa’s (Pepper to her friends) secret sadness left until later on in the story. We are told pieces of the jigsaw but it’s left pretty open for a while leaving you as a reader wondering and turning those pages quicker and quicker.
When Josephine asks Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Lisbon this is when the story takes hold and the colour and warmth start spreading into the story. Pepper has longed to travel but guilt and grief have kept her existing for far too long. The trip sees a massive shift in her thought process and in being there for her friend. Lisbon is also home to the unexpected encounter which brings Finn into her path. She doesn’t realise just how much she needed to meet him until later in the story- it’s safe to say he opens her mind to a new mindset which also unlocks the door on her creativity.
This is so much more than a love story – as ever Isabelle takes us on a rollercoaster ride across Europe also taking in Hamburg and Barcelona. The mention of Barcelona piqued my interest as it’s one of the destinations I know and love and I could visualise it all. Making me long for my cancelled trip but also filling that gap in my life. It’s also made me think on about the other destinations with longing and wonder.
There are some further unexpected turns in Peppers friendships and family life. I adored seeing Pepper realise what she needed to do for both her friend and that of her mother. I also adored the fact this story has a cross generation I love hearing about older people amongst the young, we often can learn a lot from each other and I believe that was the case with Pepper and Josephine there story had me laughing and crying with equal measure.
Once again I truly loved the variation of characters Isabelle has created and I always adore a Hayley popping up in a story I enjoy. There are some complicated and in parts some heartbreaking themes to this book but it’s been done so with such grace. I don’t want to mention them any further as I don’t want to spoil the reveals.
Hello Again is a vibrant wonder in a complicated world. Alongside Pepper we are all shown the value of living in the moment and being true to ourselves. I like Pepper have also doubted myself and my capabilities over the years. Just like her I’m a work in progress looking to embrace and enjoy the simple pleasures I love in life. I will be recommending this book threefold and I definitely need the paperback of this beauty for my collection.
July 7, 2020
My Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. I’ve enjoyed writing reviews for Netgalley for several years, but a family tragedy meant that nearly a year ago I stopped. If any author could tempt me back it’s Isabelle Broom. Having been a fan of hers almost from the beginning. I was delighted to receive this book. Again it’s a brilliant read, but it leaves me conflicted.
I love this author’s work because each time she takes you travelling to a new destination her description conveying her excitement for the place she has seemingly discovered for the first time. Lake Como is still near the top of my must go to places and she has confirmed my need to get to New Zealand one day. In these pandemic days, there is so much attention on watching box sets or reading whole series of books in order to follow the development of the characters. Isabelle Broom’s series of novels are linked by the exotic-sounding places to which she takes her readers. The glorious descriptions make you feel the need to be there. But underlying her joyous portrayal of place is always a love story, although you won’t meet her characters again in another novel. This time it’s the romantic element that’s dominant. Apart from her being an extremely good writer, this is why I’ve always read her books. But this time I feel a little bit let down.
She does take us to Lisbon, Barcelona, Hamburg, Aldborough, her home territory, even St Peter Port on Guernsey and the tiny mosaic chapel of Les Vauxbelets, which I remember as a child. However, I felt that there were far too many places involved to get a real feel for any of them. But I loved her theme of mosaics, hence the Gaudi in Barcelona, of shattered ceramics put back together in a different, more beautiful form. This is an allegory for the lives of her characters, shattered and rebuilt into something more worthwhile. Not always what you would expect, but allowing them to go forward in a fulfilled way. She digs deeply into the complex emotions, allowing her people to come to terms with what they have and who they are rather than following some fantasy or resentment for what might have been. She has shown great understanding and skill in the way that she works out the relationships in her story. I loved it. This is one of the better books of this genre. But there are many skilled authors doing the same sort of thing. The joy of an Isabelle Broom novel, for me, was being taken to an exotic place that I knew and remembered or had yet to visit. Hence my conflicted feelings. But definitely a five star book, especially if you are reading Isabelle Broom for the first time.
I love this author’s work because each time she takes you travelling to a new destination her description conveying her excitement for the place she has seemingly discovered for the first time. Lake Como is still near the top of my must go to places and she has confirmed my need to get to New Zealand one day. In these pandemic days, there is so much attention on watching box sets or reading whole series of books in order to follow the development of the characters. Isabelle Broom’s series of novels are linked by the exotic-sounding places to which she takes her readers. The glorious descriptions make you feel the need to be there. But underlying her joyous portrayal of place is always a love story, although you won’t meet her characters again in another novel. This time it’s the romantic element that’s dominant. Apart from her being an extremely good writer, this is why I’ve always read her books. But this time I feel a little bit let down.
She does take us to Lisbon, Barcelona, Hamburg, Aldborough, her home territory, even St Peter Port on Guernsey and the tiny mosaic chapel of Les Vauxbelets, which I remember as a child. However, I felt that there were far too many places involved to get a real feel for any of them. But I loved her theme of mosaics, hence the Gaudi in Barcelona, of shattered ceramics put back together in a different, more beautiful form. This is an allegory for the lives of her characters, shattered and rebuilt into something more worthwhile. Not always what you would expect, but allowing them to go forward in a fulfilled way. She digs deeply into the complex emotions, allowing her people to come to terms with what they have and who they are rather than following some fantasy or resentment for what might have been. She has shown great understanding and skill in the way that she works out the relationships in her story. I loved it. This is one of the better books of this genre. But there are many skilled authors doing the same sort of thing. The joy of an Isabelle Broom novel, for me, was being taken to an exotic place that I knew and remembered or had yet to visit. Hence my conflicted feelings. But definitely a five star book, especially if you are reading Isabelle Broom for the first time.
April 21, 2020
Hello, Again by Isabelle Broom is an absolutely incredible read - I loved every page. Through this lovely lovely story we visit some wonderful countries, meet some amazing people, experience the incredible culture, the magnificent art, the great music, the marvellous food and different ways of life. Throughout Hello, Again, you felt like you were travelling with everyone due to the in-depth descriptions of every placed visited. Incredible setting descriptions around Europe!
Hello, Again, focuses around Pepper, her Mum, her friend Josephine and Finn. Pepper is a lady who has experienced deep grief in her life, which has also brought a massive weight of guilt which she has carried on her shoulders for so long, unfairly and undeservedly. She has also never met Mr Right and has no confidence in how good she is as an artist. Just like a mosaic, Pepper feels her life is in pieces.
Relationships are explored so well too - just like a palette of paints there is a mixture of black clouds but also lots of bright yellow sunshine. The relationship between Pepper and Finn is such a lovely romantic story - Finn brings colour and love and fun into Pepper's life. Their story is told with such warmth and then we were given a surprise that I was not expecting ...
We then have the relationship between Pepper and her Mum which was so wonderfully told. The relationship between Josephine and Pepper was very special - Josephine shows her that the world is a bigger place and there is so much to see and love in the world. I loved the gift that was given to Pepper to hang on her wall, a reminder of their journey together and their wonderful friendship.
Pepper's future may now look different to what she envisaged at the beginning but her journey has only just begun and her future is bright, vibrant and full of hope.
I don't want to give too much away as this is an amazing read. Great characters, incredible depth given to both characters and setting and definitely a page turner - I could not put it down! A work of art :-)
This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
Hello, Again, focuses around Pepper, her Mum, her friend Josephine and Finn. Pepper is a lady who has experienced deep grief in her life, which has also brought a massive weight of guilt which she has carried on her shoulders for so long, unfairly and undeservedly. She has also never met Mr Right and has no confidence in how good she is as an artist. Just like a mosaic, Pepper feels her life is in pieces.
Relationships are explored so well too - just like a palette of paints there is a mixture of black clouds but also lots of bright yellow sunshine. The relationship between Pepper and Finn is such a lovely romantic story - Finn brings colour and love and fun into Pepper's life. Their story is told with such warmth and then we were given a surprise that I was not expecting ...
We then have the relationship between Pepper and her Mum which was so wonderfully told. The relationship between Josephine and Pepper was very special - Josephine shows her that the world is a bigger place and there is so much to see and love in the world. I loved the gift that was given to Pepper to hang on her wall, a reminder of their journey together and their wonderful friendship.
Pepper's future may now look different to what she envisaged at the beginning but her journey has only just begun and her future is bright, vibrant and full of hope.
I don't want to give too much away as this is an amazing read. Great characters, incredible depth given to both characters and setting and definitely a page turner - I could not put it down! A work of art :-)
This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
June 24, 2020
The go to read of this summer
Philippa Taylor (Pepper to her friends) has big dreams. When she closes her eyes, she can picture exactly who she ought to be. The problem is, it’s about as far away from her real life in a small coastal town in Suffolk as she can imagine.
So when her elderly friend Josephine persuades Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Europe, she jumps at the chance to change her routine. And when Pepper bumps (literally) into the handsome Finn in Lisbon, it seems as though she might have finally found what she’s been looking for.
But Pepper know all too well things are rarely as they seem. Her own quiet life hides a dark secret from the past. And even though she and Finn may have been destined to find each other, Pepper suspects life may have other plans as to how the story should end.
I read Hello, Again in one day because I enjoyed it so much I couldn’t put it down. It is a story of friendship, love and new beginnings where not every romance turns into “they lived happily ever after”. It is that story that tells you it’s not always about the destination but rather the journey itself. I loved the butterflies, the love at first sight, the live in the moment without regrets. I wanted the fairy tale but in the same time I absolutely adored the reality check of it all, the decisions and the partings.
Pepper is my kind of girl. She is an insecure talented artist with a crazy dress style and in spite of everything she went through, she grows so much throughout the entire story, turning into a wonderful and strong woman teaching us all that although our past may shape who we are, it doesn’t have to necessarily determine who we become in the future
If I am to be honest, I wanted to read a bit more about Josephine and Jorge, to discover the nostalgia of it all and savor every detail but in the same time, I was happy to live in the present and enjoy the love between Pepper and Finn. I hoped for Samuel and I got so mad with Pepper’s mum, with her incapacity of accepting the past without blaming everyone.
Isabelle Broom wrote such a wonderful novel, perfect for the times we currently face. Hello, Again is the go to summer read
Philippa Taylor (Pepper to her friends) has big dreams. When she closes her eyes, she can picture exactly who she ought to be. The problem is, it’s about as far away from her real life in a small coastal town in Suffolk as she can imagine.
So when her elderly friend Josephine persuades Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Europe, she jumps at the chance to change her routine. And when Pepper bumps (literally) into the handsome Finn in Lisbon, it seems as though she might have finally found what she’s been looking for.
But Pepper know all too well things are rarely as they seem. Her own quiet life hides a dark secret from the past. And even though she and Finn may have been destined to find each other, Pepper suspects life may have other plans as to how the story should end.
I read Hello, Again in one day because I enjoyed it so much I couldn’t put it down. It is a story of friendship, love and new beginnings where not every romance turns into “they lived happily ever after”. It is that story that tells you it’s not always about the destination but rather the journey itself. I loved the butterflies, the love at first sight, the live in the moment without regrets. I wanted the fairy tale but in the same time I absolutely adored the reality check of it all, the decisions and the partings.
Pepper is my kind of girl. She is an insecure talented artist with a crazy dress style and in spite of everything she went through, she grows so much throughout the entire story, turning into a wonderful and strong woman teaching us all that although our past may shape who we are, it doesn’t have to necessarily determine who we become in the future
If I am to be honest, I wanted to read a bit more about Josephine and Jorge, to discover the nostalgia of it all and savor every detail but in the same time, I was happy to live in the present and enjoy the love between Pepper and Finn. I hoped for Samuel and I got so mad with Pepper’s mum, with her incapacity of accepting the past without blaming everyone.
Isabelle Broom wrote such a wonderful novel, perfect for the times we currently face. Hello, Again is the go to summer read
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