Carrie Nolan is left feeling alone and devastated when her boyfriend Kevin who she has been dating and living with for ten-years announces that he is leaving her. The two run a very successful restaurant together, The Sea Pear, and Kevin’s choice of new woman is the restaurants newest waitress, twenty-year-old glamorous Valentina with her perfect body, flowing hair and big boobs. With Kevin being in his forties and not quite so glamorous, is it really love for Valentina?

Carrie must now learn to be on her own. She is hurt and the situation isn’t helped by the fact that all three have to continue working together. When stranger Luke comes into her life, as well as little dog Teddy, could her life be heading in a different direction?

What Happened to Us? is a very sweet, easy read. The characters are all enjoyable to spend your time with, well not so much Valentina and Kevin, part of me was questioning why Carrie had ever stayed with the weasel of a man who couldn’t even buy his own socks!

Although the book begins with a sad time in Carrie’s life, it is about her coming to terms with what has happened and how she moves on, as well as some realisations along the way for other characters.

The book is told in the third person and from numerous points of view. Although not a point of view per se, I enjoyed Kevin’s friend Jim and his wise words, though they often were met with deaf ears.

As the book heads towards Christmas you can tell that something big is building up and I wasn’t disappointed. This is the first book I have read by Faith Hogan, it most certainly won’t be my last. I love how she manages to get you emotionally involved in the story and her scene setting is just amazing. I certainly felt like I was in cold, wet Dublin most of the time. Hot Chocolate and cosy blankets were needed!!

About the Author

Faith was born in Ireland and currently lives there with her husband, four children and two fussy cats. She gained an Honors Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate from University College, Galway.

She was a winner in the 2014 Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair- an international competition for emerging writers. When she’s not writing, she’s an enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger.