In a world full of negativity, it’s nice to read a book with a great idea – The Good News Gazette!
Book Description
The Good News Gazette
Because we all need something to smile about!
She may be down but don’t count this determined single mum out just yet…
Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where once her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment’s notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did…until she’s unceremoniously let go.
When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.
Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…
Purchase The Book
Waterstones | Blackwell’s | Foyles | WHSmith | Amazon UK | Amazon US
My Review of The Good News Gazette
Single mum, Zoe, has just lost her job at the local news desk. Having already come home to Westholme, pregnant and not having her journalistic career go the way she planned, this last blow hits her hard.
When Zoe and her friends meet up they start whining about their town. Things are slowly going south. Business are shutting down and jobs are going. That’s when Zoe hits upon the idea of writing only positive stories about the town and launches The Good News Gazette.
Then she hears of the plan to tear down the shopping centre, which is the heart of Westholme and to build a supermarket. She realizes that this going to result in more small businesses shutting down and decides to launch a campaign to save the community from this development. Will she succeed in taking on Daniel, the developer?
Zoe is juggling a lot of things. Making sure her son is well cared for, trying to make a go of the Gazette and now this campaign. How will she manage to pay her mounting bills and repair her car that’s constantly dying on her? And then there’s her attraction to Sam, her son’s football coach.
The author did a fantastic job with characterisation. So many colourful and quirky characters, and with people like Daniel having layers that are slowly revealed.
On one hand, this is the story of a single mum trying to get by and yet, it’s also the story of a wonderful community, that pulls together despite difficulties and is there for its members.
There were so many elements in the book – job loss, entreprenuership, single motherhood, big business takeovers and the attempts of Zoe to bring positivity and a feel good spirit back to the town. Loved the element of humour and romance as well.
I couldn’t put the book down, enjoying every moment of the story.
The Author
Jessie Wells lives with her husband and two children in Merseyside. She has always written in some form, and previously worked as a journalist on the Liverpool Echo and Sunday Mirror and as a freelancer for various national women’s magazines and newspapers before moving into finance. She loves nothing more than getting lost in her imaginary worlds, which are largely filled with romance, communities bursting with character and a large dose of positivity.
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I received a copy of this from Rachel’s Random Resources or a review and participation in the blog tour.
