The Love Shack - Jane Costello

The Love Shack by Jane Costello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life's great when you're 29 years old with a gorgeous girlfriend and fulfilling job. Until you have to move back in with your mum . . .

Dan and Gemma have found their dream first home, but the asking price is the stuff of nightmares. The only way they'll ever save enough for the deposit is by moving in, rent-free, with Dan's mum.

It's a desperate solution, but it's only for six months. And Gemma's determined to 
make it work, no matter how bad things get.

But between Dan's mum's kitchen karaoke, her constant innuendos, irrepressible argumentative streak and - worst of all - her ham and pineapple curries, life back at home would test the patience of two saints. Which Dan and Gemma most definitely are not. 

Then, as they're trying to convince themselves it will all be worth it, Gemma's past comes back to haunt her. And suddenly the foundations of their entire relationship are shaken to their core…


I love Jane Costello's books, they all have humour and are very real at the same time. This latest is no exception. It is light and easy to read, I even managed to read this during the week while I have been working. This is good going for me as I am normally too tired and can only manage a couple of pages these days. This goes to show you what a fabulous and quick read this book is. The story just flows and is told incredibly well.

Gemma and Dan have been together for a while, they are currently living in rented accommodation and decide that the time has come to buy their first home together. As they begin to go to lots of viewings Gemma becomes a little disheartened. All the properties they visit are not suitable for them, they maybe within their budget but they are just not what Gemma and Dan are looking for. After many months of searching for the right place. Pebble Cottage comes on the market and Gemma and Dan love it. There is a slight problem and that is it is a little over budget. Gemma thinks that if they were to move in with Dan's mum, within a couple of months they would have enough money and would be able to make on offer. Dan is skeptical about this plan, but he can see this is what will make Gemma happy so agrees that this is the best option. But is it?

As someone who is married and currently lives at home with my husband and my parents I could completely connect to how Gemma and Dan were feeling at times. It is not always plain sailing but it can also work, as they found out. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much as small aspects of the living arrangements were so true and close to home.

I don't want to say too much about this book as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. It is a brilliant read this spring especially if you can relate to the story line. At times I was laughing out loud at Belinda's antics and I could feel sorry for Dan and Gemma. I just had to keep everything crossed that in the end they would all get what they wanted.

I loved the way the story was told from both Dan and Gemma's perspective and I think this gave the story more depth to it. I also loved the side stories with Dan's mother, Dan and his dad, Gemma and Alex and also Rich the estate agent. All characters were well developed and had their own personalities that shined through.

I cannot say too much as I really don't want to give it away but I don't think I can actually do this book justice with my review it is just one you have to read! I think this will become a firm favourite on your bookshelf, I know it will on mine.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.