View source for Taking the Lead by Sarah Monk

{{infobox1
|title=Taking the Lead
|author=Sarah Monk
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Women's Fiction
|summary=A well-written story with some great characters and gorgeous dogs that doesn't go the way you expect.  Recommended.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=384
|publisher=Little Black Dress
|date=October 2010
|isbn=978-0755345144
|cover=0755345142
|aznuk=0755345142
|aznus=0755345142
}}

Theodora English had left her home in London to move to a tiny Cornish village with her boyfriend Michael, only for him to dump her soon afterwards.  You'd expect her to head straight back to London, but you'd be wrong.  She buys the cottage next door, moves in and starts getting to know the locals.

Miles away along the coast Jonas Larsson is not that far away from getting married to his gorgeous fiancé, Natalie.  Jonas is half-Swedish, gorgeous and he's just about to acquire a second true love – a dog called Dylan and it's Dylan who's going to upset a lot of apple-carts.  If you've worked out that Theo and Jonas will quickly meet – hate each other – realise that they might be wrong and get together then I've got something to tell you.  You're wrong.

I was too.  I had it all worked out within a few pages and sat back prepared to be smug about predictable books.  One thing this book is not is predictable.  It's also got a splendid supporting cast of characters, from Jonas' Swedish grandmother, whom everyone (and I mean ''everyone'') knows – and you soon realise why - through to the tramp in Theo's local park.  Natalie's brilliantly supportive when Dylan goes missing and Theo's family do their best to support her despite being scattered over the globe.

There are two great stories there with just the occasional coincidence that looks as though they might be about to cross, but there's no need to be picky, because they ''work''.  More than that – you have simply ''got'' to keep turning the pages to find out what happens.  You might call it chick-lit, but it was still a well-written book with good characters and an excellent plot which I thoroughly enjoyed.  If you're a dog lover there's the bonus of some gorgeous animals too.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

If this book appeals you might enjoy something by another of our favourite authors: [[Cold Enough To Freeze Cows by Lorraine Jenkin]].

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