What do You think about A Spanish Lover (2001)?
Good book, like most of Joanna Trollope's. This one about the dynamics of twins who have chosen or just happened into very different lifestyles- one is married with children and owns her own business and the other works for a travel agency. For business reasons the second twin lands in Spain and a romance ensues. She is happy. The first twin begins to have her life unravel and jealousy raises it's ugly head. Roles are changed and that is always a disturbance in any relationship-this one just happens to be grown twins. Good read if you like chick books except Trollope raises that genre a notch. Also enjoyed the British flair mixed with some Spanish culture.
—Mary
I picked this British book up at a book sale, not knowing anything about it or the author, but needing some beach reading. Though it appears by title to be a romantic romp, it's actually more fundamentally about family dynamics, the dilemmas of accepting or rejecting conventional roles, and the consequences of choosing to meet or break with others' wishes and expectations. The story overall was interesting enough for vacation reading, but not something I expect to revisit beyond a few key passages. I do think the author portrayed the life choices that face young and middle-aged women well, putting in sharp contrast the traditional path of becoming young wife and mother with that of making a more independent but less secure life for one's self. The contrast between the two paths--personified here by each twin--and how each views the other, was interesting.I also enjoyed picking up a few tidbits of Spanish culture and history by way of the endearing romance between Frances and Luis, and was charmed by the book's many casual scenes and phrases unique to British life that still sound quaint to my American ears.
—Suzanne
Lizzie (néé Shore) and her twin sister Frances are in their late 30's; they resemble each other but are different in temperament and Lizzie always more successful than Frances. Lizzie is married with a family; she and her husband run a boutique. As the story opens, Frances starts a travel business, Shore to Shore, and goes to Spain on a business trip where she meets Luis, a wealthy hotel owner and begins an affair with him. Her family is shocked Luis is both married and Catholic. Frances blossoms, however, with a growing and successful business to manage and her meetings with Luis, she is happier than ever. About this time, Lizzie's business takes a turn for the worse, and the twins' roles of who is the successful caregiver are reversed. The twins' parents and their history of marital problems figure in the story too, and the psychological interaction between all the characters is very interesting. But then Frances goes one step too far in her relationship with Luis...
—Linda
