One Wish

It is 1979 and Joanne, two years into her teaching career, is fed up. Why did she turn her back on her dreams? Was it because her parents disapproved, or was it because she wasn't brave enough? Lindsay Hamilton wants her to find out.

But who is Lindsay Hamilton? And how does he know John Cole, her ex music teacher? And why are they both so determined to help her when they know how hard it will be?

Can she defy her parents and David, her fiancé, and pick up a career she once thought was closed to her forever? Can she become the self-absorbed and single-minded musician Lindsay has told her she needs to be?

Heartbreak does it. Heartbreak, betrayal, and a lot of tears make her turn her back on love and romance and concentrate on her career. By 1985 she is cool, sophisticated, professional, single-minded, and almost famous. Yet despite herself, she can't keep love and longing out of her music, and it's those outpourings of emotion that have made her successful. They are also what forces her to face up to heartbreak all over again.

Editorial Review by Victoria Chatham

When actress Laura Collins fails to collect her daughter, Kirsty, from nursery school, Joanne Morris is tasked with taking Kirsty home. In the process, Joanne learns that Laura has gone to America and that Kirsty is being looked after by Lynne, whom Joanne is all set to give a piece of her mind. Lynne turns out to be scruffily handsome Lindsay Hamilton, to whom Joanne tries not to become attracted. As their friendship grows, Joanne discovers he is a musician and tells him of her own musical ambitions and why she never pursued them.

Claydon takes us back to 1979, a time not so long ago in Great Britain, when life could be regimented and mind-numbing. Boys were expected to follow in their father's footsteps, and girls had the options of going into nursing, teaching, or becoming a secretary. Young people usually stayed at home until they married. Dreams of other careers were frowned upon and declared unrealistic. Joanne scandalizes her family when she revives her musical ambitions, ends her engagement, and builds a new life for herself.

Anyone who grew up in that era will recognize the norms of expectations, daily routines and a wish for something better. As Joanne's confidence grows, her insights into her family are revealing and poignant, as is what she learns about Laura, Kirsty, and Lin. Claydon's story is about courage, ambition, and ultimately success as Joanne scales her chosen career and embarks on a meaningful relationship. I can recommend One Wish as a thoroughly enjoyable read.