I have no idea why, but this is the first Jill Mansell novel I’ve read, in spite of owning five or six of her books. I’ve meant to get round to it for ages, but recently, I decided to finally read one, and I selected Rumour Has It at random.

Well, I was completely hooked! From the first page the characterisation was outstanding and the writing strong. Jill Mansell makes it look completely effortless. The narrative flows onto the page, as bubbly and sparkling as fine Champagne, and I was carried along, utterly enthralled to the very last page.

I found all the characters really enjoyable – even Stella, who I actually ended up feeling really sorry for. Can’t say more than that. Spoilers! Tilly was lovely, and I was rooting for her all the way through the story. I totally adored Jack, and could quite see why the ladies of Roxborough were so smitten with him. Max and Lou were lovely – witty and interesting in their own right. And how refreshing to see an ex-wife portrayed in a good light, with a marriage that ended in friendship instead of all-out war.

The writing is so warm and funny and easy to read, which is the sign of a gifted writer. It’s lovely to read the last line, hug the book (or Kindle!) to you, and heave a deep sigh of satisfaction, and that’s what I did last night, having stayed up late to finish Rumour Has It, as I desperately wanted to know how it ended. I now have four or five other Jill Mansell books to read, and the prospect of many more available to buy, which is a lovely position to be in. Definitely five star fiction! 5/5