Nostalgic and inspiring: Written from the Heart by Trisha Ashley

Title: Written from the Heart

Author: Trisha Ashley

Publisher: Penguin Random House UK, Black Swan

Date: February 7th, 2019

Pages: 304

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Review:

First of all, can we all take some time to admire this beautiful cover?!
I swear, Trisha Ashley has the most beautiful covers out there. I mean, every book written by her looks gorgeous!
Honestly, tell me, if you saw this novel in a book store, would you be able to resist? Would you just walk away?? I don’t think so (at least I wouldn’t)!

Written from the Heart was previously published by other name: Happy Endings.
So make sure to check if you already have that book on your bookshelf before buying yourself a duplicate (and then buy a book for a friend, if you already have it).

It was edited little, but since it was written many years ago (I’m not sure exactly when, but somewhere around time when Microsoft Vista was a new thing), it is outdated in a way, but it is also very interesting because of the same reason, for it shows us how much things and lifestyle have changed with new technology.

I think this book came to my life in time when I needed it.
Lately, I like to read about writing and writers’ lives, so this book gave me a glimpse of that.
Since the author herself is a very successful writer, I suppose she got an inspiration for this novel from many aspects of her own life.

The story follows Tina Devino who is a published author. Her books do sell, but they are far from being bestsellers, so she makes her living by giving other aspiring authors editing service trough her agency.
She is in relationship with famous ballet dancer Sergei, but although they are together for many years, they do not live together because that is what works best for them.
She spends most of her time writing her books, editing others’ manuscripts and hanging out with her best friend Linny.

Reading this book was like going back in time when Sex and the City was on going tv show.
Tina’s voice reminded me so much of Carrie’s, in parts when she’s (Carrie) narrating the story.
The writing style also reminded me of dairy, only without dates.
What I noticed, and it took me by surprise, is how much Trisha’s own voice changed through the years. I feel like books she publishes today sound different then this one. I have to admit, it was pretty fascinating to me to notice that.

Even though I enjoyed reading this book, I have to admit that I didn’t enjoy the way it ended. I feel like Tine like character didn’t develop at all. We left the same woman we met at the beginning of the book, without any significant change in her personality or her personal life (and there was plenty of room for change, if you ask me!).

I really appreciate every little writing advice the writer gave us through Tina’s voice. I think this book would be appealing to aspiring authors out there too.

I would recommend this book to everyone who likes to read old school chick lit, and who enjoyed the tv show Sex and the City and would like to know more about one writer’s life (but fictional writer, keep in mind!).