Jera's Jamboree

Between Today and Yesterday opens with dialogue as band member Todd is talking to fellow band member Baz’ wife, Patti. They’re attending the RGM Annual Rock and Pop Awards and record producer Matt is there with daughter Lucy while wife Ella is absent lecturing. ”The Attitude” are being inaugurated into the Hall of Fame.

In this first chapter we’re introduced to the character of Lucy – spoilt and ungrateful with no direction in life apart from waiting for her inheritance. However, we know there is another side to Lucy. Matt and Lucy are at the train station the next day and Lucy tells her father she would like to take some flowers home to her mother … thoughtful and considerate! Christian, a musician making his way to Glastonbury is helping out flower stall owner Alf. It’s through this connection that Christian Rosetti becomes recognised by Matt and becomes his new protégée.

What follows is time spent in London, Spain and the home village of Meridan Cross with plenty of conflict, tension and jealousy engaging the reader.

Music plays a large part with the band in Spain and legendary singer Marcie driving the band apart – and also driving a wedge between Ella and Matt. Alongside this though is the conflict at home ; local boys Adam and Dominic in Meridan Cross whose escapades cause so much harm; Nick (Ella’s brother) who is Head of Kingston College whose jealousy of Matt and life in general cause grief and sadness; of Lucy manipulating those around her. There are resolutions and some really heart-warming moments that balance the conflict.

The characters are brilliant. I found my emotions provoked many times from their actions – whether it was to punch (I should have said strong emotions!), shake some sense into them or shake their hand, be a shoulder to cry on or to cheer in joy. Lambert knows how to raise those hackles with characters like Adam and Marcie, feel despair at characters like Matt whose honesty and naivety cause him to be blinkered … and feel upbeat with characters like Charlotte who is truly genuine.

Although Between Today and Yesterday is the fourth book in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. In July 2011, I read the first in the series, When Tomorrow Comes (you can read my review here – apologies for the formatting, it was imported from Blogger) . I enjoyed seeing how Ella’s life had developed.

Between Today and Yesterday was less about the romance for me and more about how a person’s perception causes them to act and the affect that has on all those around them. It is a story of drama in contemporary times.

I would like to thank the author for a PDF copy to read in exchange for an honest review.