Review: Jenny James Is Not a Disaster

Jenny James Is Not a Disaster by Debbie Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenny James and her son Charlie might not have a lot of money but they have each other, she has a respectable job as office manager for a carpet showroom in Norfolk and he is about to go off to university. Then Jenny is hit by one disaster after another: her job is in jeopardy; her ancient banger refuses to start; its been raining for weeks on end; and the cliff on which her rented cottage sits has been so weakened by the continuous rain and high winds that it collapses taking her cottage with it. Now, in the space of one day, she is homeless, probably jobless, and without transport with approximately £20 in her purse, oh and she's 67p overdrawn.

While trying to rescue precious photographs which are fluttering close to the cliff edge Jenny nearly goes over as well, until the unfriendly motorhome owner who set up in a neighbouring field rescues her. He, Luke, actually doesn't seem that bad, he offers the two of them towels, tea, and brandy while they wait for emergency services and the council representative.

Faced with the prospect of having to live in emergency accommodation (again), with no job to keep her tied to Norfolk, Jenny wonders whether she and Charlie should also buy an RV and live in it like Luke, so Luke suggest they spend a few weeks in his luxurious motorhome that can sleep six people with him, like a holiday, to see if they enjoy the lifestyle.

Now I'm a creature comforts kind of gal, give me a mini bar and a spa over the horrors of teeny weeny showers, chemical toilets (or hooking up sewage pipes), and fold down beds, but this sounded idyllic. Choosing destinations based on a whim, visiting ancient sites, swimming in rivers and lakes, pottering round villages and small towns sounds lovely, although in reality I suspect it would be difficult to find a berth in high summer without a lot of searching.

As companions on the road Jenny and Luke open up about their pasts, why Jenny is no longer in contact with her family, why Luke gave up a high paying career and large house to aimlessly tour the British countryside.

I have to say I loved this, although I would say I don't think the title really does the book justice, it sat on my TBR pile for over two months because the title didn't call to me, before I picked it up last night and then devoured it.

Anyway, gorgeous countryside, a handsome companion, a cute dachshund, a teenage boy, and British sunshine, what's not to love?

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

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