Emily’s escape to the Algarve isn’t exactly an escape, or is it?
The second book by DCR Bond is set in the sunny Algarve and takes place amongst an expat community that primarily seems to be Brits escaping the British tax system.
The wealthy Ellis family depend on Emily’s money-driven husband, Mark, and as Emily spends most of her time spending their wealth, it’s when he loses his job that her world turns upside down.
Relocating to the Algarve is Mark’s answer to their financial problems.
A dominating husband who holds the financial control seems at a loss to understand that no one knows how to curb their spending; however
eventually, these two get creative and find opportunities in their newfound existence.
I found the characters in this book frustrating; Emily perpetuates that women know nothing about money, only how to spend it. The empowered husband, Mark, is guilty of keeping everyone in their place by holding the purse strings: the spoilt son Alex, a product of bad parenting whose saving grace is his relationship with Jess.
Even though unlikeable Tommy, the troublesome neighbour, his tactics at least made me laugh.
Although the story was a tad too long for me, I enjoyed the message of how doors closing leads to new, often more rewarding opportunities.