Now Before You Read any Further…

Stop.

Not for long.

There is still one hell of a chapter left for the last 32 posts you have just read, and I have absolutely no intention of keeping it from you. That would just be cruel, manipulative and, depending upon where you came across this book, possibly a breach of consumer law.

But we need to discuss something.

Reviews.

Yes.

Those damned review things. 

Thirty two posts later, if you have made it this far, you have spent a considerable amount of time with Localad, Marjory, Desmond, Priya, Brick Holland and the inhabitants of Meridian Cove. You have just survived Hollywood executives, lawyers, contracts, literary prizes, explosions, independent booksellers and meetings attended by people who possessed several notebooks but apparently no actual opinions.

You are therefore more than qualified.

More qualified, frankly, than some professional critics.

So, before witnessing the final chapter of this story's success, I would like to ask you to please consider leaving this book an honest review.

It doesn't have to be an essay.

Five stars and “Quite good, actually” would be perfectly acceptable.

Five stars and “Changed my understanding of the human condition” would also be acceptable, although perhaps difficult to defend under cross-examination.

Four stars will be tolerated in good faith.

Three stars will be investigated.

Two stars will cause Marjory to sigh most disappointedly in your general direction and could even set Mrs. Alvarez off.

One star and Priya (the lawyer not the other one) will be in touch.

Of course, this is not a threat.

Priya has specifically advised me to make that clear, although Jasmine does carry a sword.

But the truth is much simpler.

Reviews are what help books like this get noticed. They help complete strangers decide whether to take a chance on a story they have never heard of, written by someone they have never met. And sometimes that stranger tells another stranger.

And another.

And suddenly a small book like this isn't quite so small anymore.

Which, when you think about it, is rather appropriate. Considering how this particular story went.

So, if this story has made you laugh, think, swear at Hollywood, become emotionally attached to a fictional bookshop, or simply postpone something more responsible, please leave a review wherever you found it.

It would mean an enormous amount.

Thank you. And go tell ten to tell ten, to tell ten. That's the way to do it.

Right.

The absolutely humiliating begging portion of this programme is now concluded and we look forward to hearing what you think.

Thanks again in advance. Ta ta for now.