Eve Ainsworth

Duckling is the nickname given to Lucy by her father. Now 30, the name has stuck throughout her life. Lucy has always felt a little awkward, like she doesn't fit in anywhere, and keeps herself very much to herself. Her life consists of her flat, her cat, Boris, her job at the bookshop working alongside the manager, Jimmy, keeping an eye on her dad, and watching her favourite TV detective, Columbo.

When her neighbour, Cassie, unexpectedly leaves Lucy to look after Rubi, her 7 year old daughter, and doesn't come back when she says she will, Lucy finds herself thrust into a different kind of life, one where she realises that if she's going to reunite Cassie and Rubi she needs to open up and let people into her life.

This is Eve Ainsworth's first adult novel. Whilst the themes are quite gritty, I think the author's experience in writing for children keeps the tone still fairly light and brimming with compassion and empathy. Although primarily a story about Lucy's transformation from metaphorical duckling to swan, there's also a detective story to follow as she, Rubi and other helpers try to work out why Cassie has left Rubi for so long. The characterisations are a delight, right down to Boris and Colin, Cassie and Rubi's snuffly little pug.

What a lovely book Duckling is. I enjoyed it immensely. Pushing Lucy out of her comfort zone makes for a really uplifting story that I found thoroughly satisfying and totally charming. It felt fresh and different and I thought it flowed beautifully. It was a real pleasure to read and I hope Ainsworth writes more adult novels. I'll definitely read them if she does.… (mais)

Poppy is having trouble coping with changes to her home life - her Mum and Dad have split up and her mother's new boyfriend and his daughter who is two years older than Poppy have just moved in. Things are also not going well at school with Poppy becoming the target of some online bullies which escalates into a real life scene in the cafeteria at school. She also misses her Dad so when he promises to take her to a sold out soccer match she is ecstatic. She gets all dressed up and waits at the corner and waits and waits....

True to life account about how a mindset about one bad thing in your life can colour everything else and cause your mood to spiral down. Poppy is a believable character is all her reactions to what is happening in her life and this novel is a good illustration of how NOT to cope with change, although this is resolved at the end.… (mais)