The Accidental Life Of Greg Millar

This book had me hooked by the beauty of the writing but, at first, I thought the story was fairly innocuous and unchallenging, even predictable. I was wrong!

When you get to know someone you gradually find out more about them as they change from acquaintances into friends. This novel does the same. It becomes multi-themed and increasingly gripping but also thoughtful and very emotional. The characters are complex and very real. This is not a book to set down and forget about.

The Accidental Life of Greg Millar, written by Aimee Alexander, the pen name of Irish author Denise Deegan, has the inauspicious honour of being the first book I have ever read on an electronic device. While I found swiping easier than expected, the paperback version of this novel depicts a beautiful pink flower which has burst into bloom, and would enliven any bookshelf.

From the beginning, I was drawn into the lives of Lucy Arigho and Greg Millar, both recently bereaved following the deaths of their respective partners. But I also had a sense that all was not as it seemed with Greg. At times I felt like shouting at Lucy to slow things down with him, and not allow his young children Rachel and Toby to manipulate her.

Alexander’s ability to write believable characters made me frustrated with Rachel and the children’s childminder Hilary, while caring about others such as Lucy’s sister Grace, and Greg’s brother Rob.

Alexander writes well on the complexities affecting blended families and superbly on manic depression. She explores sensitively this serious illness, and the problems it can cause in families.

I will avoid a spoiler, but confess I did shed a tear when one of the novel’s characters showed massive strength and heart towards the end of the story.

I found the ending somewhat abrupt and hope that this may mean there will be a sequel to The Accidental Life of Greg Millar. I want to know what’s next for Lucy and Greg.

Review copy provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

The accidental life of Greg Millar by Aimee Alexander.
I received a free advance copy from Net Galley in return for an honest review and I read the book within a few days. The book is written under the pen name Aimee Alexander who is the bestselling author Denise Deegan.
The book starts off well and dives you right into the beginning of the journey between two core characters Greg and Lucy. Their first meeting is coincidental but it seems more like fate as the story continues, and you are left without any doubt that they were meant to meet. Lucy is carrying a lot of pain and anguish after losing her fiancé a year before and is lost, working away tirelessly until she meets Greg. Greg himself has his own issues, a successful author by any accounts but also a single dad to two kids after his own wife died in childbirth years before.
Forced together by work they begin a relationship that starts well till the realities hit in, and as Lucy gets to know Greg more she becomes confused by his mixed moods and behaviour. Throwing two children into the mix the situation is delicate especially when the children’s nanny (Hilary) takes a dislike to Lucy and encourages the children to dislike her too. We soon learn that Hilary has a dangerous side and an unhealthy obsession with Greg and the children which leaves Lucy struggling to manage the responsibilities Greg’s life brings should she continue her relationship with him in the long run.
It soon becomes clear that Greg isn’t well (though Lucy is unsure of the cause) as he twists from erratic good humour phases to extreme cases of depression and anxiety. Soon he is unable to cope with everyday activities and this spurs Lucy on to encourage him to reach out and get help. This leaves Lucy with the task of caring for the children (after Greg sacks Hilary) who don’t want her around and coping with the demands of running her own business. It is a story of perseverance on Lucy’s part and her reluctance to give up and walk away in the face of the many testing times she has thrown at her. Love shines through the story and the belief that with it we (as humans) can conquer anything even something as serious as mental health issues.
The book explores a very relevant issue in today’s world, one that should be taken seriously. It shows you the misconceptions of mental illness and its ability to affect anyone and everyone. It puts people’s prejudices and judgemental opinions on the front line as the book shows you people’s attitudes towards Greg and why his initial secrecy of hiding his illness were warranted. It is a book that makes you think, and shows you that the mind is a very fragile part of ourselves that must be cared for like you would a broken arm or any injury. Aimee Alexander does a stellar job in keeping her readers interested and involved, as the characters become people you want to root for and hope that they have a happy ending eventually.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, different, engrossing and thought provoking with all the attributes to hit the top sellers list. It is an important book with morals, values and heart. Everyone should read it!

Not knowing what the crisis was, I selected this book based on the intrigue. It turned out to be an extremely real look at something many people face, and was so well-written it brought me to tears by the end of the book. Highly recommend reading this book.

Excellent story and very informative about mental health. We need more books like this! While you walk away with a better understanding of bipolar, the story itself is captivating. I’ve just bought 2 other books by this author. Loved it!!