Sifting Sand was written by a former neighbour of mine. She and her family were delightful neighbours, and made lockdown easier. I remember 8th May 2020 for many reasons, but particularly the socially distanced VE Day street party, which Caz made sure we all enjoyed to the full. I bought the book of my own accord, and doubt whether Caz realised I’d made a note of it!

Sifting Sand
by Caroline Meech

With sun, sand and romance, this is the perfect summer read.
Cara thinks she has it all until she realises her boyfriend is not all he seems. Knowing she’s had a lucky escape, she embraces her new found freedom until she accidentally falls for Leo, her gorgeous Italian colleague. Compatible in every way, it seems she has found her soul mate until she discovers he too has a secret!
Heartbroken, she throws caution to the wind and takes a dream job in Dubai with Rebekah but has she done the right thing? Can she ever forget Leo and can she ever be happy without him? (Goodreads)
My Review
This is a cracking good story, an excellent holiday read, with plenty of twists and turns. It’s probably one of the few I’ve read that qualifies as romance, but then, as the crux of the story is based on lovers jumping to (the wrong) conclusions it could also be a non-romance. In ‘off-on’ relationships did this one ever really start?
The families and locations in the UK are all believable, but when the author relocates the main character to Dubai, I felt in safe hands, as I knew she’d worked there. This gave the whole story a depth I’ve not often found in other books featuring the Middle East. The lifestyle of both expats and emirate citizens was fully explored, and very readable.
The author writes well, with great descriptive power. She does show her inexperience in some of her word choices, and a touch of head-hopping in the early chapters. It could have done with a stronger final edit. But for all that it remains very readable and even engrossing. I hope at some stage the author returns to her writing; she has a great voice.
THANK YOU FOR A VERY FAIR REVIEW jEMIMA. HUGS
It looks like you have a delightful neighborhood with good neighbors, Jackie!
That picture is a reminder of those strange times! How fearful we all were.
Ouch. That date has very different connections for me :(. Glad the book was a good read. I like the cover!
Sorry. It started badly and ended badly, with everyone merrymaking in the middle. I had my bunting up at half mast. Then your email in the evening. Sending hugs. Xxxx