A Surrey State of Affairs - a Review

A Surrey State of Affairs, written by author and journalist Ceri Radford, is the blog of the fictional character Constance Harding. And who is Constance Harding? She is a 53-year-old housewife and mother whose marriage has become boring and predictable. Her grown children almost never behave in a manner she approves of.

Her son is the one who suggests she start a blog and tell the world about everything that is going on in her life instead of always telling him and his sister, Sophie. Her blog is published as anonymous, but who exactly is reading it?

This book is a joy to read. Constance has a big heart and wants to solve everyone's problems for them. Basically, she meddles. The situations that Constance has going on in her life are seen through her eyes, of course, but so much more can be read into them. She is pulled kicking and screaming into the modern world through her experiences.

Her Lithuanian housekeeper has more than cleaning house and cooking on her mind. Constance keeps finding this domestic's undergarments in various, unexpected places throughout the house.

An eternal matchmaker, Constance attempts to take out personal ads for her son on internet dating sites to help get him settled down. He does finally settle down, but not quite the way his mom had always envisioned it happening.

Her daughter's fashion sense causes her worry, then Sophie becomes the star of a reality television show. As if that wasn't enough, she runs off with someone Constance knows, but does not really like.

She puts up with her husband's Russian friend, Ivan, a man she has never been fond of at all. She prefers to call him 'Ivan the Terrible'. Once when Constance and her husband are on vacation with Ivan and his fourth wife, Constance dishes out some vengeance of her own. But does she pay for this small act of retribution later?

Reginald, the vicar has a son whose beliefs do not mirror those of his father. He just can't seem to decide what religion he wants to be a part of, so he goes through them like crazy.

Constance participates in bell ringing with the local church. One of the members of this group has a wife who left him, and Constance is determined to get him fixed up with a lady that she thinks he has a crush on. Her eyes are so blind to the truth, even though it is evident for all around her to see.

While all of this is going on, her marriage is going downhill and she doesn't even realize it. Can she save her marriage? Does she even want to save it?

The author is definitely not in her 50's, but she has amazing insight into the things an upper-class 53-year-old woman goes through. As you read Constance's blog about what is going on her life, you witness her slowly adjusting to the realities of modern life and the way people live. You observe her as she changes into a more human woman, one who doesn't expect people to live in only the way that she thinks they should.

This is an enjoyable book, one that will keep you laughing, and maybe make you feel that you're not so alone in the troubles and turmoil that you experience in your life.

I was sent a copy of this book by the management of BellaOnline in exchange for an honest review. If you would like your own copy of this book to read and enjoy, I have provided an Amazon link for you below.