Book Review: Bad Penny by Michele Gorman

Penny’s life is one big, fat secret… and everyone is about to find out.

Penny isn’t the girl she used to be, or the woman everyone thinks she is now. At 19, she bolted for London and never looked back. Nobody there knows who she was – not her care home colleagues, her boss, her clients or even her best friend and flat-mate. Auntie Mags is her only connection to her past, and she’s keeping schtum.

Oli can’t believe his luck. Not only is he about to fulfill his dream of really making a difference (assuming he wins his seat in the upcoming general election), now he’s met the perfect woman. Within a few dates he’s sure he wants to spend the rest of his life with Penny, and it’s all he can do not to shout it from the rooftops.

But Penny has hidden her secret by not shouting from any rooftops. In fact, the quieter, the better. So when Oli’s campaign swings into gear and the reporters start circling, it’s not only her future that’s about to come crashing down.

How can she find a happy ending with Oli when her past will definitely ruin his future, yet living with the lie will ruin their future together?

Then Penny’s past gets out of prison, and he’s about to turn up like a… bad penny.

*****

Penny has a secret and everyone is about to find out.

At 19, she fled to London. No one knows of her life before, not even her best friend/flatmate. Only her Auntie Mags knows her full history.

When Penny meets MP candidate, Oli, they hit it off. However, as Oli begins campaigning, it’s going to be harder for Penny to keep her secret.

Oh I love Michele’s novels so much. This book was no exception.

Penny was instantly likeable and I loved her.

You know there is more to her past than originally appears and, as more is revealed as the story progresses, I gained nothing but sympathy and understanding for her.

Oli is a charming love interest. I did want to shake him at one point but he’s the kind of person you want as a boyfriend and as an MP.

The plot moves along well and for me, there was never a dull moment. I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know how it ended but at the same time, I had a book hangover when I had finished.

I don’t want to say much more as I am hoping you’ll give this book a read. It’s the perfect escape.

It covers love, friendship and acceptance of yourself. How you shouldn’t let past mistakes define you.

Bad Penny is packed full of warmth, humour and charm; just what I’ve come to expect from a Michele Gorman novel. I loved it.

(Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. Click to buy Bad Penny on Amazon UK.) 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.