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A review by kellyldriver
If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern
4.0
“In her third novel, Ahern (P.S., I Love You and Love, Rosie) employs an imaginary best friend to breathe distinctiveness into an otherwise stereotypical Irish tale. Living in her own house in a small, posh Irish town, 35-year-old Elizabeth Egan is an uptight interior designer and adoptive mother to her six-year-old nephew, Luke, whose mother, Elizabeth's 23-year-old sister, Saoirse, prefers boozing to parenting. Saoirse's behavior reminds Elizabeth of a painful past-the alcoholic mother who abandoned the family, leaving Elizabeth to care for her baby sister and forgo her own childhood, and the emotionally distant, controlling father still waiting for his wife's return. Unlike the other women in her family, Elizabeth adheres to a fastidiously well-ordered existence-no mess, no complications, no love. But all that changes with the arrival of Ivan, a goofy and spontaneous man intent on infusing much-needed fun and tenderness into Elizabeth's frigid persona. The catch is no one can see this ageless man from the land of "Ekam Eveileb" save Elizabeth and her nephew. Through Ivan, Elizabeth becomes the woman she's always been too afraid to be. He helps her reclaim the childhood she never had and, most importantly, to forgive those who have let her down. “
I loved this book! I bought it on sale only because I saw that it took place in Ireland. I had no idea what it was about and thought that it would be your typical “chick lit” romantic farce. I was wrong.
The story was magical. The relationship between Luke and Ivan and then between Ivan and Elizabeth was so sweet and fun. It makes you realize what is important in life...not to take it so seriously.
I was so taken in by the characters and enjoyed witnessing a magical transformation in Elizabeth that I would love to make myself. I also found inspiration for raising my own daughter in the character of Ivan. I love his quote when people always said that Luke was “only six-years-old”. Ivan would retort, “there is nothing only about being six.” His wonder and sense of fun are something I want to give to my daughter. I only hope I will remember the lessons of this wonderful, magical story.
I loved this book! I bought it on sale only because I saw that it took place in Ireland. I had no idea what it was about and thought that it would be your typical “chick lit” romantic farce. I was wrong.
The story was magical. The relationship between Luke and Ivan and then between Ivan and Elizabeth was so sweet and fun. It makes you realize what is important in life...not to take it so seriously.
I was so taken in by the characters and enjoyed witnessing a magical transformation in Elizabeth that I would love to make myself. I also found inspiration for raising my own daughter in the character of Ivan. I love his quote when people always said that Luke was “only six-years-old”. Ivan would retort, “there is nothing only about being six.” His wonder and sense of fun are something I want to give to my daughter. I only hope I will remember the lessons of this wonderful, magical story.