Everything Changes But You (which immediately makes me think of the Take That song, check it out if you are too young to remember that Robbie was in a band once) is the kind of chick lit you can take comfort in. By that, I mean that you know the story will be engaging, the characters quirky and individual and that you’ll be taken on a fun ride that won’t demand the same amount of brain cells that say, quantum physics does. I’m still trying to work out exactly who the character is in the novel that doesn’t change but it’s a good book, excellent for holiday reading.

I was a bit disappointed in Maggie Alderson’s previous book, Shall We Dance? because I felt it moved towards ‘mummy-lit’ with its older central character and problems with university-aged children. I’m pleased to say that I enjoyed Everything Changes But You a lot more – the main character, Hannah, still has a husband and a family, but they’re a lot younger. Hannah also has the requisite job in beauty editing (I love reading about jobs like that, they always sound so glamorous) and a bit of family money. Her husband Matt is a struggling songwriter and expat Aussie, trying to work all night while she works all day. It doesn’t really seem to work and after a change in circumstances, the couple and their two children move to a storybook English village. But the trouble doesn’t end there – there’s family, fidelity and financial issues.

The supporting characters are also delightful, annoying and frustrating in turn. Ali is Matt’s Australian cousin, off on the big London adventure. She’s charming and brings a youthful eye to things. Her previous job as a lap dancer didn’t really fit into the novel all that well I thought, but it’s a minor point. Anthea is Hannah’s mum’s neighbour – a delightfully busybody English stereotype. Her appearances always brought out a wry grin from me as she attempted to control absolutely everything. Finally, Pete is Matt’s Aussie co-songwriter – a cliché of the Aussie stereotype (especially in regard to the word ‘mate’ or should I say ‘maaaaaaate’?) He’s kind of likeable, but also kind of annoying because you know exactly what will happen to him.

Which brings me to the ending – it wasn’t terribly original, but it was the ending that I was probably hoping for. It is just open ended enough to have a sequel, but brings enough closure to end the story there and then. I could have also done with a few more beauty details besides the sparkly mascara, but there was enough description of clothes and shoes to please the majority of fashionistas.

It’s a really well written chick lit that fans in both Australia and the UK will enjoy. Just don’t expect too many changes to the classic formula and it’s a lovely read.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com ( )

Maggie Alderson's seventh novel, Everything Changes But You, explores the meaning of home, the value of family and the search for happiness.

Hannah and Matt are torn between the needs of their family, which includes their two young children, and the demands of their careers. Hannah loves her hectic job as a beauty editor amongst London's elite fashion scene and Matt's occasional bouts of homesickness for the sunny skies of Bondi are tempered by the presence of his best mate and song writing partner, Pete, but when circumstances force the family to move to a small English village, Matt's dissatisfaction with the relocation breeds simmering resentment that threatens to shatter their happy family.
With care, Alderson examines the challenges faced by Hannah and Matt as they struggle to deal with the conflict between their ambitions and the needs of their children and respective families, complicated by distance, grief and secrets. Where is home when torn between the UK and Australia, city and country? It is a thoroughly modern quandary now that transatlantic relationships are common and difficult choices need to be made despite the conveniences of global travel.

Alderson underscores how conflicting needs, betrayal and a lack of trust undermines a marriage by introducing Hannah's mother Marguerite, and her alcoholic father, Charlie whose miserable partnership benefits no-one.

Ali thinks London will be the perfect escape from her family in Australia but quickly discovers England's charms fail to compensate for all that she has left behind. I liked Ali's flaky, vulnerable yet independent spirit, she feels lost in the city, despite the support of her cousin Matt and his family, but isn't willing to admit defeat. England gives her the opportunity to grow up and sort out what she really wants from life and love.

Despite my feeling that the plot is fairly predictable (and riddled with convenient financial windfalls which smooth the way to happiness), I found Everything Changes But You an engaging read. It has enough emotional depth to sustain interest and the writing is polished as you would expect from an accomplished author.

Though British born, and currently living in the UK with her Australian husband and daughter, Maggie Alderson is considered an Australian author. She spent several years as a fashion columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Cleo and Mode. Everything Changes But You, exploits Alderson's familiarity with both the UK and Australia, an element that proves popular with readers on both sides of the pond.

Fans will likely enjoy this latest release and a s summer approaches it will surely be a popular beach accessory. Everything Changes But You is a light, engaging, contemporary read about relationships, family and love that proves home is where the heart is. ( )