A Random Act of Kindness by Sophie Jenkins Review

Today the lovely Jo from Tea and Cake for the Soul, has written a post on a book she has read recently - A Random Act of Kindness by Sophie Jenkins, which she was kind enough to share with me to publish here.

This is not your typical rom-com/chick-lit book. Sure, you get friendships, romance, and feisty characters, but I’d also recommend it to any lover of clothing, particularly vintage haute couture.

I’m not a follower of fashion in the slightest but it is written with such clarity, it gripped me. Each chapter is named as an auction lot number, with a detailed description of a particular outfit, what a novel idea.

This story is about Fern who is currently living her parents’ flat in the Chalk Farm area. She has lost her job as a personal stylist and is running her own small stall selling vintage clothes in Camden Market.

Even though Fern carries out random acts of kindness, she faces her own disaster when a fire in the flat above ruins most of her stock. Sometimes you feel life is against you, don’t you?

Following a series of events, she becomes market stall neighbours with David.  You get an inkling very early on that romance is going to blossom between her and David even though they are both in relationships. However, that is where the predictability stops.

Everything that happens in this story is a total surprise to me, it really is quite unique.

Fern becomes acquainted with Dinah, a lady in her 80s who is stylishly dressed.

“I’m thinking of reminding her about the first time we met. The way I look at it, the first time was chance, the second time was a coincidence, but I feel in my optimistic heart that this third meeting is meant to be.”

Even though I’m not into fashion or clothes, I do hold an appreciation of vintage style and can imagine how excited Fern must be when she views Dinah’s extensive personal collection. It is so well written; I felt the passion as I read.

I love books that have pensioners in the storyline. So many people write off the older generation forgetting that they were once vibrant characters too. There is a wonderful interaction between young and old.

The story is interlaced with another pensioner Kim. I won’t give any clues on that one but suffice to say it’s another surprising storyline.

There is lots of humour, especially with the eccentricity that old age allows us. And some thought-provoking moments from the complexities of relationships between parents and their adult children.

A Random Act of Kindness covers poignant and important moments in history, and times of the inevitable sadness that life sometimes throws at us. It contains some wonderfully written prose:

“This is something that I’ve seen before. Death doesn’t take you; it invites you home and every day we March towards it, that bit closer, and look behind us to see how far we’ve come.”

An absolutely beautiful story that is well written and heartwarming. I couldn’t put it down. I will even go as far as saying I was reluctant to start a new book immediately afterwards, in case it didn’t match up.

Released 13^th June 2019 on Kindle, audio and paperback*.

Sophie has also written The Forgotten Guide to Happiness.

Jo blogs about the nicer things in life such as music, travel, books and cake, as well as covering important topics such as mental health, menopause and eco issues. If you like to read more of her book reviews check out her Recommended Reading section.

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