by Cindy Shanks

Created on: August 28, 2011   Last Updated: August 29, 2011

British author Lynda Page was born in Leicester where her novels are set. She writes two books a year for Headline and is a mother and grandmother. Before writing full-time, she worked in different offices. The Sooner the Better is an enthralling novel about Isobel (Izzie) Jenkins.  

Lynda plunges the reader into the drama at the beginning of the novel when Lawrence Clayton invites her to his wedding.  Izzie is devastated to find out he has secretly been dating Janet. After caring for his mother for fifteen years, she assumed they would marry after his mother’s death.  Heartbroken, pride wounded, she feels ashamed of the fact he conned her into caring for his aging mother for free.  Lynda makes her heroines suffer in her novels and the same is true of The Sooner the Better.   This allows the reader to sympathise with the protagonist and want the best for them.

The misunderstanding between Lawrence and Izzie causes friction between Izzie and her sister-in-law, Patricia, who has been waiting for Izzie to leave the family home.  Patricia pressurises Izzie into leaving the home and convinces her to move in with Edna, her mother.  Once again, Izzie finds herself conned into caring for a difficult woman and decides that she must find a way of leaving and moving into her own flat. Flats are expensive and as a single woman she hasn’t much money.

It is quite by chance that she has the opportunity to leave bossy Edna behind when she comes into contact with an elderly lady Mrs Austin, who has lost her way back to her residential lodge. She helps her, guides her back to the home and Mrs. Johnson realises that Izzie has the perfect qualities for caring for the elderly.  

Having independence and a job she loves, it seems that things are running smoothly once again for Izzie.  She finds hope after Lawrence. The residents are well cared for, appreciate her and she finds satisfaction in her work. She soon discovers that not everyone is as honest as they seem.

Lynda Page is gifted at creating interesting plots, loveable characters and enough hints and clues to keep you intrigued from the first page to the last. There are moments when you laugh out loud at Izzie’s nieces’ antics. There are also emotional scenes that will have you reaching for a handkerchief. 

Readers who enjoy reading sagas and romances will enjoy this compelling read.

Headline

Paperback

ISBN 978-0-7553-2833-8

Learn more about this author, Cindy Shanks.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.