My Very Best Friend Cathy Lamb

My Very Best Friend
Cathy Lamb
Published: Kensington
Date: July 28th 2015
Format:e-ARC
Pages: 480
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Charlotte Mackintosh is an internationally known bestselling romance writer who has no romance, and remains a mystery to her fans. In fact, she has little in her life besides her work, her pampered cats, and her secluded home off the coast of Washington. And then there is her very best friend, Bridget, who lives in Scotland, where Charlotte lived until she was fifteen. Bridget, whom Charlotte hasn’t seen in twenty years, but continues to write to—though the replies have stopped. Hurt by the silence, an opportunity arises to find answers—and maybe much more.

Charlotte must finally return to Scotland to sell her late father’s cottage. It was his tragic death when Charlotte was fifteen that began her growing isolation, and the task is fraught with memories. But her plans are slowed when she’s confronted with the beautiful but neglected house, the irresistible garden—and Toran, Bridget’s brother. Capable and kind, Toran has the answers Charlotte seeks. And as she is drawn deeper into the community she thought she’d left behind, Charlotte learns not only more about her dear friend, but about herself—and discovers a new and unexpected path.

Set in Scotland My Very Best Friend by Cathy Lamb has all the trade marks of a wonderful Lamb novel.  It has at its heart people, the very best and... the very worst.  It has great friendships from childhood to adulthood, it is full of outrageous humour, fun and wit. Yet there is  also deep sadness. It examines relevant issues and how people deal with them... or not.

Charlotte is a scientist and biologist and romance writer of time travel living of cost of Washington, but returns to her home Scotland to sell the family home and find out what has happened to her friend Bridget who is missing. When her father died at the age of fifteen years, Charlotte and her mother left the village of St Ambrose and this is Charlotte's first time back. Charlotte is a recluse, wears frumpy, comfortable clothing. Nobody knows she is the author of a series about a warrior woman who is very sexy and adventure seeking.  However now Charlotte has writer's block. Also her best friend is missing and she Charlotte wonders where she is.

Toran is Bridget's brother, farmer and long time best friend of Charlotte too.  He knows a little more about Bridget and her story but not where she is now.  As Charlotte and Toran work together to restore the sorry mess that is Charlotte's family home, the love they have for each other comes creeping back. It doesn't hurt that Toran is one sexy hunk of a Scotsman, who is compassionate and loving.

Led by Olive there is a group of women who are a garden club of sorts and a women's support group for each other. Their antics are hilarious and as the story develops these women even more. Some of them are a little odd, but most of them have their heart in the right place.  There is a strong feminist theme right throughout the book- feminism at its very best. Some of them though have 'issues' that are unpalatable.  

Bonds of friendship, truth and lies, love and forgiveness, shocking happenings, cover ups, injustice  and justice meted out, all combine to give a reader a heart warming and heartbreaking read.  Mystery and surprises combine. Do I think Charlotte and Bridget were the best of friends - yes.  I recommend you read this book and check that out for yourself. Maybe you will agree maybe you won't. 

Set in Scotland.