Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney

Published: October 3rd 2011
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Publisher: Pan MacMillan
Source: Purchased

Publisher's Summary:
Magic can happen in every family
At the Valley View Motel in South Australia's picturesque Clare Valley, eighty-four-year-old Lola Quinlan is up to her usual mischief. She's sent her family away for Christmas and invited a number of mystery guests to come and stay. But who are all these people, and why aren't they spending the festive season with their own loved ones?
As the big day draws closer and Lola's personal family dramas threaten to unravel her plans, she discovers that at a special time of year, magic can happen in every family – especially your own.
From the bestselling author of At Home with the Templetons comes a funny, sad and moving novel about memories and moments and the very meaning of life.

Lola's Secret is the first book that I've read by Monica McInerney and I'm very glad that I've discovered her books. I was hooked from the first page of Lola's Secret, which is a very charming story of love and family values. There is a wide and varied cast of characters, which makes the book so appealing to a wide range of readers. There is a tormented teenager who is struggling to deal with the death of her mother and her father's subsequent efforts to reinvent himself in order to  establish a new life for himself and his daughter, There is a young mother who is desperately trying to cope with her new babies whilst contstantly competing with her sister for the "perfect marriage."

Lola is the central character who holds all the stories and characters together. She is an eighty four year old Irish woman who has spent most of her life in Australia. She enjoys getting older but struggles with some of the challenges that ageing brings.

Lola's Secret is the type of book that makes you think about certain events in your life. The book encourages the reader to think about how we treat those people we love the most and shows us the importance of seeing the potential in all chance meetings. Lola's Secret is a gem of a story that is told with emotion and humour. Enjoy!