Talking at Night by Claire Daverley

 I am always looking for good debut novels to read and recommend at Parry Sound Books. Talking at Night by Claire Daverley seemed to be one of these – and it is – with only slight reservation.

 I will say I picked up this book one morning at the cottage – and read all day. Completely absorbed in the story, enjoying the writing and the characters – sometimes with a few tears.

I didn’t stop to make any notes, I just spent a whole day lost in the story.

 We know from the beginning that there will be a death – but it is some time before that occurs.  We meet Rosemary “Rosie” and Josh Winters, twins, in their final year of school. Privileged, smart kids, serious students, heading to Oxford or Cambridge in the fall. We meet Will Winters, also a good student, but with more than a bit of a “bad boy” reputation, who has no intention of going to University even if he could afford to.

 Everybody has something – a challenge of some sort in this life. For Rosie it is the need for perfection in all things – Josh has another concern that you will discover as you read. Will was abandoned by his parents, his grandparents raising him and his younger sister. The death of his grandfather not so long ago a serious blow. His grandmother, a strong and loving woman, does her best to be a good parent – the second time around.

 The first 300 pages were wonderful – there was young love, and the figuring out of what each of these young people want out of life as they become adults. We learn more and more about their families and friends. When tragedy does come, it changes everything. The grief that must be acknowledged and accommodated as life goes on. The damage that is done. The decisions made. All so perfectly told.

  The last 100 pages left me wondering if this is what most romance novels are like – that there is yet another challenge, and another, to be faced before the two people who are meant to come together, can actually do so. I know, I know – there are lots of challenges in real life. But, by this point I was ready for a bit of relief and less melodrama. But, a big but, I read this straight through, loving it, despite almost rolling my eyes a few times toward the end.

 Talking at Night by Claire Daverley a great debut and a very good book to spend a day on the dock with!