‘The Charity Of Strangers’ by Alison Burke is a women’s contemporary fiction novel. I loved the cover of this book and the synopsis, so I hoped the pages kept the promise of the story I expected, don’t worry, it did!
Zaffron is 19 years old, lonely, anxious and with no direction. She volunteers in a charity shop and ends up working alongside Blaire Daintry, who is charming, good looking and gay. He has his own agenda and Zaffron holds her secrets. They become firm friends and end up living together in their safe and happy home. Zaffron tells Blaire her secrets that she has carried all her life but even this acceptance doesn’t allow her to feel like she can start a relationship with an army sergeant. What is holding her back, the fear of the truth coming out or something else…buried too deep that she can’t recognise it?
A story that does make you smile along the way along with a few tears too. Zaffron walked into the charity shop aiming to steal a coat for her job interview and could never have guessed what would happen. The events after this change her life and outlook. She also realises she can trust again too.
Blaire is a softie that is one of those people you can call a protector. He does have an agenda but his friendship with Zaffron is upfront and even. The characters are all created well with Blaire and Zaffron really bouncing off each other and I really loved the friendship between them. It was lovely to see Zaffron develop and realise she had people she could rely on for a change.
A story that highlights that you don’t need to be family to find someone to rely on and trust. A tale of maturing and finding safety where you thought there was none. A beautiful story from beginning to end.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Alison Burke for my copy of the book.
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