by Lucy Dillon
Publisher: Hodder
Release: 23rd April 2015
Genre: Fiction
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Synopsis:
"What can you do to make the world a better place?
Libby helps a stranger, and transforms her life in the process.
Libby and her husband Jason have moved back to his hometown to turn the family B&B into a boutique hotel. They have left London behind and all the memories - good and bad - that went with it.
The injured woman Libby finds lying in the remote country road has lost her memory. She doesn't know why she came to be there, and no one seems to be looking for her.
When Libby offers to take her in, this one small act of kindness sets in motion a chain of events that will change many people's lives..."
Review
A Hundred Pieces of Me was my first book by Lucy Dillon and ended up being one of my favourite reads of last year. Whereas A Hundred Pieces of Me was emotionally driven One Small Act of Kindness has more of a mystery to it although they both share a lovely life affirming message. One Small Act of Kindness is ultimately about the importance of identity and those small every day acts of kindness that make the world a brighter place.
This book features two main characters that we follow throughout the story. Libby is the recent new owner of the Swan Hotel when Pippa quite literally comes crashing into her life. When Pippa is in a car accident outside of her hotel Libby goes out of her way to help her. She mysteriously has no phone, purse or ID on her so when she loses her memory in the accident it’s impossible to identify her. Unable to remember her real name she decides to go by Pippa and with no other options Libby welcomes her into her hotel while she recovers. Both women have lost their sense of identity in different ways but Libby’s one small act of kindness sets off a chain reaction of new beginnings and self-discovery for both them and those around them.
Usually when a book has more than one heroine I tend to have a favourite whose story I enjoy that little bit more but that wasn’t the case with One Small Act of Kindness. I equally loved both Libby and Pippa and enjoyed reading their journey. Libby is such a kind soul it’s impossible not to warm to her and Pippa’s situation is so curious that you can’t help but be sucked in by the mystery of it all. There are lots of brilliant secondary characters (I especially loved Lord Bob!) and even some familiar faces from A Hundred Pieces of Me who I was so excited to catch up with!
Overall One Small Act of Kindness was a wonderfully uplifting read about being true to you and how even the smallest act of kindness has the potential to change somebody’s life for the better. I already can’t wait for Lucy Dillon’s next book!
