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jessbookishlife's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite an interesting book for me. As a social educator I had classes that talk about disabilities and the challenges that people deal with daily, I have heard conferences with guests that have some kind of disability, and I have friends that have disabilities, from physical to learning disabilities. That been said, I'm always interesting in reading an author's take on those challenges and daily routines.
In this book we get Polly, and she's such a strong and outspoken character that I kind of liked her from the very beginning. And as we get to know her more, we get to see those daily challenges and her frustration is understandable. With her daily life we get to met her friend and caretaker Vicki, another important character in this book.
Both of them, Polly and Vicki, were a big part of why I enjoyed reading this story. To see their routine was a way of getting to know the characters and the circumstances why they were who they were.
Then, of course there is Ben. Ben the professional cyclist, and although we don't get an in depth journey about cycling, the sport is used as a connection element in this novel and in the characters' story. Reading about his point of view on life and what his thoughts are about Polly once he met her, was great and made me understand him more.
Overall, I liked the book. It was an enjoyable journey for me and following the characters in their daily life and see it intertwined with one another and feeling some connection to the characters, it was quite a refreshing read and what I needed at that time.
This is the first book I read of Kathleen Jowitt and I applaud her for her amazing work. I will be staying on the look out for the upcoming novels by this author. And I certainly recommend this book.
In this book we get Polly, and she's such a strong and outspoken character that I kind of liked her from the very beginning. And as we get to know her more, we get to see those daily challenges and her frustration is understandable. With her daily life we get to met her friend and caretaker Vicki, another important character in this book.
Both of them, Polly and Vicki, were a big part of why I enjoyed reading this story. To see their routine was a way of getting to know the characters and the circumstances why they were who they were.
Then, of course there is Ben. Ben the professional cyclist, and although we don't get an in depth journey about cycling, the sport is used as a connection element in this novel and in the characters' story. Reading about his point of view on life and what his thoughts are about Polly once he met her, was great and made me understand him more.
Overall, I liked the book. It was an enjoyable journey for me and following the characters in their daily life and see it intertwined with one another and feeling some connection to the characters, it was quite a refreshing read and what I needed at that time.
This is the first book I read of Kathleen Jowitt and I applaud her for her amazing work. I will be staying on the look out for the upcoming novels by this author. And I certainly recommend this book.
briarsreviews's review against another edition
4.0
A Spoke in the Wheel is a lovely contemporary novel following the lives of a former cyclist.
Ben, our former cyclist who had to quit the sport due to a doping scandal, moves in with Vicky and Polly. All three love cycling to various degrees, and that's what brings them together. We watch these characters grow and move through life as Ben finds his solace outside of the cycling world. Polly has been ill for a while and is in a wheelchair, and is working hard to try to find her place in the world now that her dreams have changed. Vicky also loves cycling and is in a club but is also a workaholic.
The biggest thing about this book was the diversity. I liked seeing members of the LGBT community and a woman in a wheelchair. These two topics weren't shown as something mind blowing, it was just normal. This whole book felt like a coming of age and finding yourself story. It was quite lovely and simple to read. We just followed their lives.
If you like slice of life books, then this book is for you. It's a wonderfully written story just following the lives of our main characters. We watch them grow, change and react to the world around them. It was the kind of "simple" read I needed - it didn't have a complicated plot, it was easy to read and it wasn't dramatic. It's just lovely.
Overall, I'm impressed. Kathleen Jowitt has a great writing style and made Ben's voice very readable.
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to Kathleen Jowitt who provided me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Ben, our former cyclist who had to quit the sport due to a doping scandal, moves in with Vicky and Polly. All three love cycling to various degrees, and that's what brings them together. We watch these characters grow and move through life as Ben finds his solace outside of the cycling world. Polly has been ill for a while and is in a wheelchair, and is working hard to try to find her place in the world now that her dreams have changed. Vicky also loves cycling and is in a club but is also a workaholic.
The biggest thing about this book was the diversity. I liked seeing members of the LGBT community and a woman in a wheelchair. These two topics weren't shown as something mind blowing, it was just normal. This whole book felt like a coming of age and finding yourself story. It was quite lovely and simple to read. We just followed their lives.
If you like slice of life books, then this book is for you. It's a wonderfully written story just following the lives of our main characters. We watch them grow, change and react to the world around them. It was the kind of "simple" read I needed - it didn't have a complicated plot, it was easy to read and it wasn't dramatic. It's just lovely.
Overall, I'm impressed. Kathleen Jowitt has a great writing style and made Ben's voice very readable.
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to Kathleen Jowitt who provided me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
sadie_slater's review against another edition
5.0
Kathleen Jowitt's first novel, Speak its Name, was the first self-published novel to be shortlisted for the Betty Trask prize. It was also one of my favourite reads of 2016, so I was really looking forward to her second novel, A Spoke in the Wheel, which has just been released.
A Spoke in the Wheel leaves behind the university environment of Speak its Name; it's the story of former professional cyclist Ben Goddard, who has fled the world of cycling after failing a drugs test and moves to a Lancashire seaside town to try to build a new life while working two minimum wage jobs on zero hours contracts. Unfortunately, the first two people he meets are cycling fans - amateur cyclist Vicki, who drives herself to the point of exhaustion in a low-waged job for a charity, and chronically ill former medical student Polly - and after a slightly rocky start, the three end up agreeing to share a house.
I am not a cycling fan; I tend to be aware that the Tour de France is taking place because there's an annual spinning challenge, the Tour de Fleece, that takes place alongside it, and I'll half-watch it if it's on for the French scenery, but I'm not really interested in the sport itself. That didn't really matter, though; cycling may be what brings the main characters in A Spoke in the Wheel together but it's not a novel about cycling; it's a novel about people and their relationships, and about disability and what it's like to be low-waged or on benefits in Britain today, and about friendship and moving on from failure and how to work out what the things that really matter are. Like Speak its Name, it's a novel about human beings being human, in ways that are immediately recognisable even though the specific circumstances may be outside my own experience. It's funny and moving and a call to righteous anger about the way our society treats some of the most vulnerable, and I loved it.
(Because I know Kathleen Jowitt, I was also very, very amused by one scene, where Polly and Ben overhear a book group in a pub and try to work out what book they're discussing. I knew exactly what the book was, as I was in fact a participant in the original of that discussion, and was greatly entertained to find it in the book!)
A Spoke in the Wheel leaves behind the university environment of Speak its Name; it's the story of former professional cyclist Ben Goddard, who has fled the world of cycling after failing a drugs test and moves to a Lancashire seaside town to try to build a new life while working two minimum wage jobs on zero hours contracts. Unfortunately, the first two people he meets are cycling fans - amateur cyclist Vicki, who drives herself to the point of exhaustion in a low-waged job for a charity, and chronically ill former medical student Polly - and after a slightly rocky start, the three end up agreeing to share a house.
I am not a cycling fan; I tend to be aware that the Tour de France is taking place because there's an annual spinning challenge, the Tour de Fleece, that takes place alongside it, and I'll half-watch it if it's on for the French scenery, but I'm not really interested in the sport itself. That didn't really matter, though; cycling may be what brings the main characters in A Spoke in the Wheel together but it's not a novel about cycling; it's a novel about people and their relationships, and about disability and what it's like to be low-waged or on benefits in Britain today, and about friendship and moving on from failure and how to work out what the things that really matter are. Like Speak its Name, it's a novel about human beings being human, in ways that are immediately recognisable even though the specific circumstances may be outside my own experience. It's funny and moving and a call to righteous anger about the way our society treats some of the most vulnerable, and I loved it.
(Because I know Kathleen Jowitt, I was also very, very amused by one scene, where Polly and Ben overhear a book group in a pub and try to work out what book they're discussing. I knew exactly what the book was, as I was in fact a participant in the original of that discussion, and was greatly entertained to find it in the book!)
shazreads's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the author, Kathleen Jowitt, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit that I don’t know anything about cycling, but I was intrigued after reading an extract of this book. Whilst the main characters share an interest in cycling, a knowledge of the sport is not necessary.
A Spoke in the Wheel is a character driven novel set in the UK. The three main characters are Ben, Polly and Vicki who are very different from each other and unified by cycling. The novel is narrated by Ben, a disgraced professional cyclist who is trying to make a fresh start in life after his doping past. He develops an unexpected friendship with his new housemates, Polly and Vicki.
Ben’s voice came across really well as he was able to tell his story in the first person. It also created a more intimate feel for his character. At the start of the book, I realised that, like Polly, I had made an unconscious assumption about Ben because he was a doper. Ben’s history as a professional cyclist is quite nuanced, however. The more I learnt about Ben and his thoughts and feelings, the more I warmed to him. Sometimes he speaks without thinking and acts on impulse, but deep down he’s a decent guy.
Polly and Vicki have been best friends since university. They are both cycling fans and their lives intertwine with that of Ben after the three become housemates. It was lovely reading about the friendships that this trio build together. All of them learn something valuable from each other and they have great character growth.
I appreciated the diversity in the novel and there is a range of representation, including disability, mental health, and LGBTQIA. Polly has a chronic illness and she is a wheelchair user. She is not afraid to speak her mind and I liked her no-nonsense attitude. Her best friend Vicki is a cycling enthusiast and workaholic who has stuck by Polly through everything.
This book explores the preconceptions we have of other people, whether they are disabled, a different sexual orientation, or a disgraced athlete. Polly and Ben learn to overcome their prejudices against each other as they get to know one another. I didn’t find it preachy; instead it’s an eye-opening read and includes some humorous moments.
Overall
An insightful book about redemption and friendship. A Spoke in the Wheel is a believable story with diverse and realistic characters.
I have to admit that I don’t know anything about cycling, but I was intrigued after reading an extract of this book. Whilst the main characters share an interest in cycling, a knowledge of the sport is not necessary.
A Spoke in the Wheel is a character driven novel set in the UK. The three main characters are Ben, Polly and Vicki who are very different from each other and unified by cycling. The novel is narrated by Ben, a disgraced professional cyclist who is trying to make a fresh start in life after his doping past. He develops an unexpected friendship with his new housemates, Polly and Vicki.
Ben’s voice came across really well as he was able to tell his story in the first person. It also created a more intimate feel for his character. At the start of the book, I realised that, like Polly, I had made an unconscious assumption about Ben because he was a doper. Ben’s history as a professional cyclist is quite nuanced, however. The more I learnt about Ben and his thoughts and feelings, the more I warmed to him. Sometimes he speaks without thinking and acts on impulse, but deep down he’s a decent guy.
Polly and Vicki have been best friends since university. They are both cycling fans and their lives intertwine with that of Ben after the three become housemates. It was lovely reading about the friendships that this trio build together. All of them learn something valuable from each other and they have great character growth.
I appreciated the diversity in the novel and there is a range of representation, including disability, mental health, and LGBTQIA. Polly has a chronic illness and she is a wheelchair user. She is not afraid to speak her mind and I liked her no-nonsense attitude. Her best friend Vicki is a cycling enthusiast and workaholic who has stuck by Polly through everything.
This book explores the preconceptions we have of other people, whether they are disabled, a different sexual orientation, or a disgraced athlete. Polly and Ben learn to overcome their prejudices against each other as they get to know one another. I didn’t find it preachy; instead it’s an eye-opening read and includes some humorous moments.
Overall
An insightful book about redemption and friendship. A Spoke in the Wheel is a believable story with diverse and realistic characters.
stephbookshine's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
A Spoke in the Wheel is a love story, but it is also, and perhaps primarily, a story about learning to forgive and like yourself.
Kathleen Jowitt manages to explore issues of prejudice (our own and other people’s), assumptions we make about others on sight and shame (our own and that society aims at us), all in a way that gently educates without being preachy or losing sight of the story.
Ben is an incredibly endearing main character as he is quick to hold up his hands and accept responsibility for his faults and mistakes and willing to learn from them and try to ‘get better’. Polly appears more prickly and unreasonable at first, but the reader and Ben soon come to understand that living with chronic illness can deeply affect your perspective on life and the mask you portray to the world.
It was not specified what Ben’s childhood disability was, or which particular chronic illness Polly suffers from (probably because it doesn’t really matter and Polly would say it’s none of our business anyway!). As a reader who suffers from ME/CFS I recognised much of what she was going through and empathised greatly. I felt the depiction of chronic illness and the stigma that goes with it was realistic and sensitive, whilst avoiding the dreariness that could have resulted from such honesty.
Mainly though, regardless of drug abuse, sexual orientation or invisible illness, this story focuses on understanding, acceptance, and learning to live with oneself, and those are lessons that are universally applicable.
If I hadn’t caught her eye. If she hadn’t been a cycling fan. If I hadn’t gone on autopilot and behaved as if I was doing some charity event for disabled kids.
I used to do a lot of that, having been a disabled kid myself once. There are still pictures floating around: seven year old Ben Goddard, with brave gap-toothed grin and gleaming wheelchair, next to Ben now – or, at least, Ben last month.
And the girl in the wheelchair in the café in this run-down seaside town was impressed by none of it. She met my eye, wearing a cold, blank expression that I supposed I’d have to get used to, exchanged a glance with her friend, and then looked down at a magazine on the table. I was pretty sure that it was Cycling Monthly, which was unfortunate if I was right. There was a five-page feature on great British hopes, and I was great British hope number seven.
Well, not any more, I wasn’t.
– Kathleen Jowitt, A Spoke in the Wheel
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/a-spoke-in-the-wheel-kathleen-jowitt/
A Spoke in the Wheel is a love story, but it is also, and perhaps primarily, a story about learning to forgive and like yourself.
Kathleen Jowitt manages to explore issues of prejudice (our own and other people’s), assumptions we make about others on sight and shame (our own and that society aims at us), all in a way that gently educates without being preachy or losing sight of the story.
Ben is an incredibly endearing main character as he is quick to hold up his hands and accept responsibility for his faults and mistakes and willing to learn from them and try to ‘get better’. Polly appears more prickly and unreasonable at first, but the reader and Ben soon come to understand that living with chronic illness can deeply affect your perspective on life and the mask you portray to the world.
It was not specified what Ben’s childhood disability was, or which particular chronic illness Polly suffers from (probably because it doesn’t really matter and Polly would say it’s none of our business anyway!). As a reader who suffers from ME/CFS I recognised much of what she was going through and empathised greatly. I felt the depiction of chronic illness and the stigma that goes with it was realistic and sensitive, whilst avoiding the dreariness that could have resulted from such honesty.
Mainly though, regardless of drug abuse, sexual orientation or invisible illness, this story focuses on understanding, acceptance, and learning to live with oneself, and those are lessons that are universally applicable.
If I hadn’t caught her eye. If she hadn’t been a cycling fan. If I hadn’t gone on autopilot and behaved as if I was doing some charity event for disabled kids.
I used to do a lot of that, having been a disabled kid myself once. There are still pictures floating around: seven year old Ben Goddard, with brave gap-toothed grin and gleaming wheelchair, next to Ben now – or, at least, Ben last month.
And the girl in the wheelchair in the café in this run-down seaside town was impressed by none of it. She met my eye, wearing a cold, blank expression that I supposed I’d have to get used to, exchanged a glance with her friend, and then looked down at a magazine on the table. I was pretty sure that it was Cycling Monthly, which was unfortunate if I was right. There was a five-page feature on great British hopes, and I was great British hope number seven.
Well, not any more, I wasn’t.
– Kathleen Jowitt, A Spoke in the Wheel
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/a-spoke-in-the-wheel-kathleen-jowitt/
apartmentcat's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stephbookshine's review
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
A Spoke in the Wheel is a love story, but it is also, and perhaps primarily, a story about learning to forgive and like yourself.
Kathleen Jowitt manages to explore issues of prejudice (our own and other people’s), assumptions we make about others on sight and shame (our own and that society aims at us), all in a way that gently educates without being preachy or losing sight of the story.
Ben is an incredibly endearing main character as he is quick to hold up his hands and accept responsibility for his faults and mistakes and willing to learn from them and try to ‘get better’. Polly appears more prickly and unreasonable at first, but the reader and Ben soon come to understand that living with chronic illness can deeply affect your perspective on life and the mask you portray to the world.
It was not specified what Ben’s childhood disability was, or which particular chronic illness Polly suffers from (probably because it doesn’t really matter and Polly would say it’s none of our business anyway!). As a reader who suffers from ME/CFS I recognised much of what she was going through and empathised greatly. I felt the depiction of chronic illness and the stigma that goes with it was realistic and sensitive, whilst avoiding the dreariness that could have resulted from such honesty.
Mainly though, regardless of drug abuse, sexual orientation or invisible illness, this story focuses on understanding, acceptance, and learning to live with oneself, and those are lessons that are universally applicable.
If I hadn’t caught her eye. If she hadn’t been a cycling fan. If I hadn’t gone on autopilot and behaved as if I was doing some charity event for disabled kids.
I used to do a lot of that, having been a disabled kid myself once. There are still pictures floating around: seven year old Ben Goddard, with brave gap-toothed grin and gleaming wheelchair, next to Ben now – or, at least, Ben last month.
And the girl in the wheelchair in the café in this run-down seaside town was impressed by none of it. She met my eye, wearing a cold, blank expression that I supposed I’d have to get used to, exchanged a glance with her friend, and then looked down at a magazine on the table. I was pretty sure that it was Cycling Monthly, which was unfortunate if I was right. There was a five-page feature on great British hopes, and I was great British hope number seven.
Well, not any more, I wasn’t.
– Kathleen Jowitt, A Spoke in the Wheel
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/a-spoke-in-the-wheel-kathleen-jowitt/
A Spoke in the Wheel is a love story, but it is also, and perhaps primarily, a story about learning to forgive and like yourself.
Kathleen Jowitt manages to explore issues of prejudice (our own and other people’s), assumptions we make about others on sight and shame (our own and that society aims at us), all in a way that gently educates without being preachy or losing sight of the story.
Ben is an incredibly endearing main character as he is quick to hold up his hands and accept responsibility for his faults and mistakes and willing to learn from them and try to ‘get better’. Polly appears more prickly and unreasonable at first, but the reader and Ben soon come to understand that living with chronic illness can deeply affect your perspective on life and the mask you portray to the world.
It was not specified what Ben’s childhood disability was, or which particular chronic illness Polly suffers from (probably because it doesn’t really matter and Polly would say it’s none of our business anyway!). As a reader who suffers from ME/CFS I recognised much of what she was going through and empathised greatly. I felt the depiction of chronic illness and the stigma that goes with it was realistic and sensitive, whilst avoiding the dreariness that could have resulted from such honesty.
Mainly though, regardless of drug abuse, sexual orientation or invisible illness, this story focuses on understanding, acceptance, and learning to live with oneself, and those are lessons that are universally applicable.
If I hadn’t caught her eye. If she hadn’t been a cycling fan. If I hadn’t gone on autopilot and behaved as if I was doing some charity event for disabled kids.
I used to do a lot of that, having been a disabled kid myself once. There are still pictures floating around: seven year old Ben Goddard, with brave gap-toothed grin and gleaming wheelchair, next to Ben now – or, at least, Ben last month.
And the girl in the wheelchair in the café in this run-down seaside town was impressed by none of it. She met my eye, wearing a cold, blank expression that I supposed I’d have to get used to, exchanged a glance with her friend, and then looked down at a magazine on the table. I was pretty sure that it was Cycling Monthly, which was unfortunate if I was right. There was a five-page feature on great British hopes, and I was great British hope number seven.
Well, not any more, I wasn’t.
– Kathleen Jowitt, A Spoke in the Wheel
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/a-spoke-in-the-wheel-kathleen-jowitt/
booksteacupnreviews's review
5.0
*** Note: I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. many thanks to author for giving me a chance to read this great book. ***
That blurb doesn’t speak much about book except that it revolves around road cycling and so it was but there was more to the book. Life literally put spoke in character’s life in this book. It was about coping with defamation, disability, and unfinished dreams; taking accountability of actions; consequences of pushing oneself beyond limits; and moving on in life.
Characters-
Ben– ex-cyclist, defamed as doper, is trying to start new life in new city with new job leaving behind his cycling career and embracement but that follows him back to this new city. Ben was really great guy, nice at heart, and ethical. I know it doesn’t sound like that looking at blurb but he truly was. I loved his honesty with his new job and new tenants- Polly and Vicki and the way he took accountability of his mistakes. His guilt and emotions felt real.
Polly– She was chronically ill and mostly have to depend on her wheelchair. Because of her illness she had to leave her studies she was pursuing to be doctor. She grumpy at first but as I got to know her more, I seriously admired her. She was clever, smart, straightforward and great friend. I loved the way she was coping with her own problems.
Vicki– was workaholic, cycling fan, and was such sweetheart. She offered Ben to share rent and live with her and Polly when all the world was out judging him for what he did. She was open-minded, understanding, and nicest friend. I loved her till the end of the book.
I loved these 3 characters of the book. Different from each other, having their own problems and living under one roof. Sharing rent and living together literally changed their lives.
What I liked-
I admit I never watched cycling sport nor I’m big fan of it. But I liked riding bicycle in childhood. I definitely agree with Ben you never forget how to ride bike once you were on it. Ah, after reading this book I again want to ride one.
It was character driven fiction, narrated by Ben, telling his story and emotions very captivating way. His accounts on what happened and why he was banned from cycling and why he didn’t fight it showed the guilt and accountability of his action even though it was obvious to him there was something amiss there. What surprised me was importance of Polly and Vicki in the story that I could not guess from the blurb. I expected it to be solely around Ben’s life but author nicely absorbed Polly and Vicki’s life with Ben’s.
I liked his development from blaming himself for everything and the way he let it go and how Polly and Vicki helped him to understand what he really wants and need to do. His discussion with Polly about racing, opinions and expectations of fans, how athletes and players push themselves beyond their limits to put up with demands and entertainment to the extent that can damage their health and how one mistakes can destroy all their work was thought-provoking. That was the best part of the book. Another part I loved was the way author displayed Polly’s emotions, problems she faces because of illness mostly in public and how people jumped to conclusions and can be opinionated towards disabled person was utterly shocking. It showed general and usual social issues, not just disabled person faces it but it happens to all of us.
I wonder why characters didn’t figure out who burgled their house! I can put my guesses there, though there wasn’t any proof, but I wish author have made that factor a basis for Polly’s decision for her relationship. Concept was great. It was easy to read and thought provoking with nice message that readers want to take from the book. There were not big turns and twist but definitely engaging and cozy read. I loved the end and how things settled at the end.
Overall, it was – great book that you can read in one sitting- thought provoking, engaging and cozy fiction. I definitely recommend this book.
That blurb doesn’t speak much about book except that it revolves around road cycling and so it was but there was more to the book. Life literally put spoke in character’s life in this book. It was about coping with defamation, disability, and unfinished dreams; taking accountability of actions; consequences of pushing oneself beyond limits; and moving on in life.
Characters-
Ben– ex-cyclist, defamed as doper, is trying to start new life in new city with new job leaving behind his cycling career and embracement but that follows him back to this new city. Ben was really great guy, nice at heart, and ethical. I know it doesn’t sound like that looking at blurb but he truly was. I loved his honesty with his new job and new tenants- Polly and Vicki and the way he took accountability of his mistakes. His guilt and emotions felt real.
Polly– She was chronically ill and mostly have to depend on her wheelchair. Because of her illness she had to leave her studies she was pursuing to be doctor. She grumpy at first but as I got to know her more, I seriously admired her. She was clever, smart, straightforward and great friend. I loved the way she was coping with her own problems.
Vicki– was workaholic, cycling fan, and was such sweetheart. She offered Ben to share rent and live with her and Polly when all the world was out judging him for what he did. She was open-minded, understanding, and nicest friend. I loved her till the end of the book.
I loved these 3 characters of the book. Different from each other, having their own problems and living under one roof. Sharing rent and living together literally changed their lives.
What I liked-
I admit I never watched cycling sport nor I’m big fan of it. But I liked riding bicycle in childhood. I definitely agree with Ben you never forget how to ride bike once you were on it. Ah, after reading this book I again want to ride one.
It was character driven fiction, narrated by Ben, telling his story and emotions very captivating way. His accounts on what happened and why he was banned from cycling and why he didn’t fight it showed the guilt and accountability of his action even though it was obvious to him there was something amiss there. What surprised me was importance of Polly and Vicki in the story that I could not guess from the blurb. I expected it to be solely around Ben’s life but author nicely absorbed Polly and Vicki’s life with Ben’s.
I liked his development from blaming himself for everything and the way he let it go and how Polly and Vicki helped him to understand what he really wants and need to do. His discussion with Polly about racing, opinions and expectations of fans, how athletes and players push themselves beyond their limits to put up with demands and entertainment to the extent that can damage their health and how one mistakes can destroy all their work was thought-provoking. That was the best part of the book. Another part I loved was the way author displayed Polly’s emotions, problems she faces because of illness mostly in public and how people jumped to conclusions and can be opinionated towards disabled person was utterly shocking. It showed general and usual social issues, not just disabled person faces it but it happens to all of us.
I wonder why characters didn’t figure out who burgled their house! I can put my guesses there, though there wasn’t any proof, but I wish author have made that factor a basis for Polly’s decision for her relationship. Concept was great. It was easy to read and thought provoking with nice message that readers want to take from the book. There were not big turns and twist but definitely engaging and cozy read. I loved the end and how things settled at the end.
Overall, it was – great book that you can read in one sitting- thought provoking, engaging and cozy fiction. I definitely recommend this book.
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