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That Part Was True

by Deborah McKinlay

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22014121,512 (3.5)12
A lonely British woman strikes up a pen pal friendship with a successful American author and they offer each other help and support with their relationship dramas before agreeing to finally meet up in Paris.
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Showing 1-5 of 13 (next | show all)
A middle-aged UK divorcee writes to an divorced American author about his food context in the book. And from there we see both of their lives, a bit broken right now and the written letters that go back and forth across the Atlantic. Toward the end, UK Eve finally fesses up to her panic attacks to daughter Izzy and in a letter to Jack, and he understands that's why she can't meet him in Paris. But at the end, she is able to make it to NYC for his book signing. ( )
  nancynova | Jan 22, 2023 |
cozy read. Not much happens. a middle - age love story. ( )
  klnbennett | Oct 7, 2020 |
This book didn't do much for me. My local library had it marked as romance but if there was any romance in these pages it was hard to spot. The blurb sells it as a story between two people corresponding via letters/emails but even that is scant until the last 50 or so pages. I didn't find any of the characters particularly interesting or likeable and I felt like we only scratched the surface.

The relationship between Jack and Eve shouldn't be a hard sell but even at the end of 230 pages I don't really believe they have much of a connection. They are both quite bland oddly unemotional upper middle class people.

I also can't for the life of me figure out what the title relates to. There's nothing in the story that lends to the title "That Part Was True".

Wouldn't read again. ( )
  mackinsquash | Aug 15, 2020 |
Loved this book! A little gem of a story about books and those who read and write them, as well as those who enjoy cooking. To paraphrase another Goodreads reviewer: "British reader Eve Petworth writes a letter to American author Jackson Cooper and thus begins the "relationship." Both have reached a stage in their lives where they must change but are not quite sure how to go down their paths. A lovely communication/friendship develops through a sincere correspondence between the two." Some people will think of this as a romance, but even though there is some occasional flirting this isn't chick-lit. It is a delightful story skillfully written, with a satisfying conclusion. There are some recipes at the end, and many more references to recipes throughout the book, making it a good choice for book groups who like food-related books. ( )
  PhyllisReads | Apr 27, 2019 |
Eve and Jackson begin a correspondence because Eve is a fan of Jackson's books.
They soon begin writing regularly and while their letters are mostly about cooking, they rely on those letters and on each other.

Jackson wants to meet, Eve is hesitant for her own reasons unrelated to Jackson.

I like that these are two imperfect people, possibly falling in love. Eve has an issue that she has been trying to overcome and Jackson can be a grumpy, pompous old man.
They're both 40's/50's age but Jackson clearly feels like a cranky old man some days and is not always pleasant company.

But in those letters, they can connect in a way that isn't easy for either of them.

As you get closer to the end of the book, you will definitely begin to wonder whether these two will meet and live happily ever after. Happily, imperfectly after. ( )
  Mishale1 | Dec 29, 2018 |
Showing 1-5 of 13 (next | show all)
This pleasant and engaging novel revolves around the relationship that develops when Eve Petworth, a well-to-do but lonely British divorcee, writes a short fan letter to Jackson Cooper, an American author of a critically acclaimed series of detective novels (a la Robert B. Parker). ..That Part Was True is surprisingly readable, and the characters grow on you and the story deepens as it unfolds. .....That Part Was True is a perfect travel book and a better-than-average beach read.
 
How rewarding to perch on the shoulder of a character Barbara Pym might have conjured — a late bloomer who possesses “brickish stoicism” and brews tea on an Aga. So when the British author Deborah McKinlay takes us to “the depths of the English countryside, in a house that was an advertisement for the English countryside,” we recognize that a Lively voice — à la Penelope, that is — will be reporting with wry detachment and affection....I won’t say where their missives lead, but I will applaud the sensible outcome. This is England, after all, and we trust that Mrs. Petworth won’t do anything rash.
 
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A lonely British woman strikes up a pen pal friendship with a successful American author and they offer each other help and support with their relationship dramas before agreeing to finally meet up in Paris.

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