Scarlet Feather: The wonderfully compelling and heartwarming No.1 bestseller

Having re-read Tara Road, the next thing I just had to do was move onto another favourite, Scarlet Feather! Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather both went to catering college and have long dreamed of having their own company – haven’t they already got the perfect name? However, they need to find suitable premises and deal with the disappointment of Tom’s parents that he isn’t going into the family business, while Cathy’s mother-in-law thinks her place is at home dancing attendance on her son and isn’t shy of telling her so! Tom also has a gorgeous girlfriend who has her own career ambitions . . . I think this may be my most favourite of all of Maeve Binchy’s novels! I vaguely remembered it from previous readings, but I really had forgotten how good it is. The characters are just amazing; all true-to-life and most skilfully crafted. There are plenty of threads to this tale, all woven into a most intricate pattern which kept me reading long into the night. The absolute icing on the cake are Maud and Simon, twins who are related to Cathy through marriage and they are a joy to behold! This story is just bursting out all over with events and goodness – counteracting the considerable badness – and I revelled in each and every word. If you only ever read one book by this author, please make it Scarlet Feather. A full five flashing, sparkling and dancing stars and worth so much more.

Thoroughly good read if a little predictable.