REVIEW: This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell

In This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell, An email written in jest that only her best friend was supposed to see was the catalyst for Essie’s life to change completely. When it gets accidentally sent to her entire address book, she does her best to try to make amends with her boyfriend, and his mother–her boss. Let’s just say it doesn’t go over so well. Soon Essie finds herself in search of a new place to live and even a new job just before Christmas. Not the best of times to have her life in an upheaval. But she’s not left with any other choice.

‘Essie could hardly breathe… Because what he was telling her was everything she’d longed to hear, but also everything she’d told herself she didn’t deserve to hear.’

Essie somehow not only finds a new tiny apartment, but a whole new bunch of friends as well as a job right in the center of the town she now calls home. Even with her personal life still smarting after the loss of her boyfriend, she finds comfort in spending time with Zillah, Conor, Lucas and the rest of the raucous local crowd. But what none of them realize, Essie included, is how much their lives will be enhanced as well as altered by the connections they all make and the choices that end up affecting every single one of them as the days go by.

‘He needed to take his time and find out if she felt even a fraction of the same attraction toward him… Sometimes the strength of his emotions toward her was so tangible he thought she must be feeling it too.’

This Could Change Everything was an absolutely wonderful new novel by Jill Mansell that touched upon how the choices we make can cause a ripple effect around us. Touching, funny, down-to-earth, and oh-so satisfying, I adored every moment spent reading this book.

“Every day, we do things that are capable of changing everything, and that’s what makes life exciting.”

I’m always thrilled when I get a new novel (or ebook!) of Jill Mansell’s in my hands. I know the writing will flow smoothly, the characters will be a hoot, and their antics will bring out all the feels. Her cast of intriguing characters in This Could Change Everything held my attention from the very beginning. There was basically every generation accounted for, from teenager Evie to octogenarian Zillah and every stage of life in between. And I have to admit that this was such a well-rounded bunch of characters that I don’t know if I could pick a favorite–which is unusual–because typically one person will stand out. But in this case I loved them all!

I sincerely enjoyed that everyone surprised me in some way. Whether it was learning of their past or what their true feelings were for someone, it was a pleasure to follow their journeys and see where it all led. As with most of Mansell’s stories, each character’s life intersected in some way with just about everyone else’s. So it was fun putting it all together. I do have to mention that even though they brought me to tears a few times, my favorite scenes were with Zillah, Essie and Conor as they worked on some heartfelt projects together. It was as uplifting as it was bittersweet to watch the three of them pull off some miracles to make local townspeople’s lives brighter for a day. Just thinking about it is enough to make me smile as my eyes get a bit misty. Mansell certainly laid on the charm and the emotions with not only those scenes but in the friendships that were explored and the romances that blossomed here as well. *happy sigh*

Filled to the brim with a hodgepodge of offbeat characters you can’t help but love, including a cozy community that felt like home–and a super cute cover–This Could Change Everything is a book well worth any reader’s time and attention.
 

Book Info:

Publication: June 5th 2018 | Sourcebooks Landmark |

International bestseller Jill Mansell crafts the perfect summertime tale, filled with love, friendship, and the power of redemption. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll never want the story to end.

All it takes is one email to end her relationship, get her kicked out of her apartment, and just about ruin her life. Essie Phillips never meant for her private rant about her boss to be sent to everyone in her address book, but as soon as it goes viral, her life as she knows it is over. Solution: move to a new town, find a new job, make new friends. If only it were as simple as that…

What People Are Saying About Jill Mansell:
“Captivating, warm, lighthearted and funny!” –What’s Better Than Books for Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay
“Readers will hang on every word, falling in love with the story, its characters and its emotions.” –RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for Three Amazing Things About You
“Vivid and enchanting.” –Kirkus Reviews for You and Me, Always