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Monday 13 January 2014

The Love Detective by Alexandra Potter

The Love Detective

'In a way, I'm a bit of a love detective. Because what's a greater mystery than love?' Meet Ruby Miller. A writer who makes happy-ever-afters happen. Until she discovers her fiance is a lying cheat and loses her faith in love. So when her sister invites her on a beach holiday to Goa to forget about him, Ruby jumps on a plane ...and into an extraordinary adventure. Stolen bags, a runaway sister and a handsome American stranger sweep Ruby into a magical mystery tour across India. Amid fortresses and fortune tellers, and a whirlwind of weddings, she uncovers fascinating stories of love, lost and found. But as the mysteries deepen, secrets are revealed that turn Ruby's life upside down. And what started as a journey to find her sister, becomes a journey to find herself - and love - again.

I have read many of Alexandra Potter's back catalogue and have enjoyed them all and this book is another great read. I read it very quickly and enjoyed every page.

When I pick up one of Potter's books I am expecting a chick lit, romantic read, however I found this book was even better than normal. Throughout this book the reader is introduced to the sights, sounds and smells of India as Ruby travels through the country on a train before travelling further by car, visiting local markets, towns and cities, seeing families living in varying levels of poverty and splendor, all while trying to find her sister who has run away to marry the yoga teacher from the resort she visited on holiday. 

The story is so much more than a love story. I really think that the author has been to India and traveled in the cramped 'express' train, where many classes of life, travel on the same train in differing conditions. The towns and cities that Ruby visited are described in such a way that the reader is able to conjure up images of India very easily. This level of description never not deter away from the story, it is entwined within the story well, and adds much to the story-line. Towards the end of the book, when Ruby closes in on her sister, there is an another love story taking shape and I really think that the story was well planned out and written. 

The cover is beautiful, although there is little to suggest to the reader that they are off on a whirlwind journey through India in search of Ruby's sister.

I would recommend this as a fantastic read for lovers of chick lit reads but also those who like books that take the reader to warmer climbs.

Thank you to the publisher, Hodder, for sending me this book to review in return for an honest review.

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