Fiona Collins – Summer In The City

‘Summer In The City’ by Fiona Collins is a book about facing your fears and going back out into the world even if you don’t know what to expect. It is an inspiring read.

Prue and her father, Vince are both almost trapped living in their flat over a Tube station. Both are mentally and emotionally withdrawing from life and each other. Sinking into anxiety and depression. Prue has always been one to sink into the background due to her strawberry birthmark which actually makes it impossible.

One day Prue’s train was delayed due to a young woman who was on the same platform choosing to end her life. Counselling is offered to everyone who was on that platform and Prue accepts. As she attends Prue begins to think about why she and her father have allowed themselves to make their world smaller. Her father Vince is blind so taking on board a suggestion from her counsellor they venture out on day trips to London. Prue acts as his eyes when they are out and both of them realise they are loving being out and about and they find they are opening back up to each other as well.

A gorgeous story about family, friendship and pushing yourself to face your greatest fears. It is also about deeper things such as acceptance and discrimination. The fact that Prue feels she deserves to be less than others is heartbreaking. The issues Fiona Collins raises need examining and people should be kinder. As Prue and Vince slowly open up we discover why Vince lost his eyesight and in turn his independence, the final blow was her mother and sister leaving. These are deep and darker issues that left me bereft at times, but then the lighter side arrives and the uplifting and emotional story finally ties everything together with forgiveness and hope.

Taking place over one summer this book grabs you straight away. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and makes you just want to read it. I felt like time was slipping away as I was just reading and reading. This book raised every emotion within me and I so enjoyed it!

Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Fiona Collins for a copy of this beautiful book.