Robin Pilcher

This was the debut novel for Robin Pilcher, son of the better-known writer Rosamunde Pilcher.

David, a businessman who has been grieving and depressed, flies to America for an important meeting. Then he realises he has to start moving on for the sake of his children in Scotland...

Clever plotting as a business thread alternates with David's personal story. While some of the scenes relating to the business went a little over my head, it didn’t matter. David, who is an extremely likeable show more person, discovers that he can make a difference in the lives of some lonely people. The bulk of the story takes place over about a month, and the pace works well.

The writing is excellent, particularly the characterisation; the author evidently inherited his mother's gift in that respect. There's believable dialogue and some strong emotion, with one particularly moving scene, towards the end. The romance, inevitable from fairly early on, is low-key, only coming to resolution in the final chapter.

I enjoyed this very much both on first reading, on re-reading nearly sixteen years later, and again another five years after that. Highly recommended.

Latest review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/09/an-ocean-apart-by-robin-pilcher.htm... show less

Added above the title are the words, "rediscover the power of family, friends, and love...". Robin Pilcher shares his story with rich descriptions of his beloved Scotland and a warmth and thoughtfulness to each character he introduces into the storyline. The characters come alive to the extent that I wish I could go and spend some time with them. I would especially love to have some girl talk with Liz and Annabelle. For someone that loves golf, they might be thrilled to spend some time with show more Roberta or Alex.
For anyone that has been through the heartache of a broken heart whether through a cheating partner, a separation, divorce, or loss of a loved one in death, this is a story that could suggest stepping away from the close-up view of one’s own heartache perhaps with a small journey or perhaps with empathy as a listener about another’s world. Hopefully those first steps might encourage one’s own heart or inspire one’s own thoughts to consider forgiveness or at the least an understanding be their bridge to the next steps of their life journey where strength, love, courage and the hope of new days and new dreams begin. show less

"A Risk Worth Taking" by Robin Pilcher, is the first book that I have read by this author. I found the novel to be well-written with a good plot, interesting characters, and settings that were very well described. The settings take place between England and Scotland, which I enjoyed. At first, I wasn't a fan of Dan, the main character. However, as I continued reading, I felt that he was perhaps a little depressed. His character does grow on you. His wife, Jackie, wasn't the warmest show more character, but I believe her frustrations led her to act the way she did. Overall, a good read. My only negative comment is that the ending was too abrupt. show less

"A Risk Worth Taking" by Robin Pilcher, is the first book that I have read by this author. I found the novel to be well-written with a good plot, interesting characters, and settings that were very well described. The settings take place between England and Scotland, which I enjoyed. At first, I wasn't a fan of Dan, the main character. However, as I continued reading, I felt that he was perhaps a little depressed. His character does grow on you. His wife, Jackie, wasn't the warmest show more character, but I believe her frustrations led her to act the way she did. Overall, a good read. My only negative comment is that the ending was too abrupt. show less