Book Review - Fool's Gold by Zana Bell

 

Fool's Gold by Zana Bell

Released: 7th October 2014

Publisher: Choc Lit

Pages: 320

Available on Kindle and Paperback (on 7th)

Order from Amazon here

 

Blurb

It’s 1866 and the gold rush is on. Left to fend for herself in the wilds of New Zealand’s west coast, Lady Guinevere Stanhope is determined to do whatever it takes to rescue her ancestral home and restore her father’s good name.

Forced out of his native Ireland, Quinn O’Donnell dreams of striking gold. His fiercely held prejudices make him loath to help any English person, let alone a lady as haughty and obstinate as Guinevere. But when a flash flood hits, Quinn is compelled to rescue her, and pass. But and their paths become entwined in this uncharted new world.

Though an intense attraction forms between them, both remain single-minded in pursuit of their dreams. Will they realize in time that all that glitters in not gold?

 

Review

 

Fool’s Gold is a book which is completely different from anything I’ve read in a long time,  it is essentially a story of one woman’s journey from dependent rich daughter to headstrong independent woman which takes place on a gripping and enthralling adventure across New Zealand’ beautiful backdrop,  with a sprinkling of romance. It is written in such a way that the reader will be hooked from the very first page.

The story is based around Lady Guinevere Stanhope and Doctor Quinn O’Donnell. They first meet in the depths of the forest, Guinevere looking to photograph the long lost Moa bird and Quinn looking to find gold. Initially there is hostility between the two as Guinevere is looking to be self-reliant after the loss of her father and Quinn being a doctor wants to play the rescuer and keep her safe. So begins their adventure, sometimes together, sometimes apart until the eventually find the dreams they have been searching for.

Both Quinn and Guinevere are very likable characters and all the way through I wanted them to find the happiness and peace they were seeking. Guinevere first comes across as stubborn, fragile and a little self-important but as her adventure unravels we see her grow into a strong and feisty woman who carves her own way in the world. Quinn is perfect handsome hero who just can’t stop helping people in need, even though he keeps claiming he no longer wants to be a doctor. He does seem a little blinded by his need to have land and build a big house but I was glad when he was able to leave his past behind him.

Fool’s Gold is a book which captivated me right from the start and I was sad when it was finished. It was so good, one of my top reads of the year. I recommend this book to everyone; it’s an incredible read which captures the true essence of human spirit in the face of adversity.

Rating 5/5