This book was brought to my attention by fellow bookworm Jo, The Book Jotter (Jo’s Review), and this read is the eighth and
final book towards the Mental Illness Advocacy reading challenge I’ve been taking part in this year. Emotional Geology is the debut novel for the author Linda Gillard which was released back in paperback in 2005 but more recently released as an indie e-book on Amazon. It is the e-book cover I am showing on this post just because I thought it was so beautiful, but I actually got my copy from my local library. Gillard has released plenty of other books after this for me to get my teeth into later, to find out more about this author why not pop over to her website (Here).
This story follows Rose Leonard as she moves to the remote island of Uist off the mainland of Scotland, where she hopes to escape from her past life. Rose’s life has mainly been a up-hill struggle as she battles her bipolar disorder but it is a devastating emotional betrayal that final sends her into a full mental breakdown. Rose hopes that the peace and quiet of Uist will be the perfect place to recuperate and re-find herself through her textile art. Rose soon finds that the locals are also friendly, welcoming, and very accepting of the new quirky artist; however it is when she meets teacher, poet, and kindred spirit Callum that Rose really starts to hope.
Emotional Geology was in equal parts a heart-warming and utterly heartbreaking tale, that had me hooked from the very start. Gillard said that when writing this book she aimed to bring a new element to the general trope that is chick lit, by creating ‘a thinking-woman’s romance that dealt with real issues, had believable characters, a yummy hero, but no easy answers’, and I think she completely succeeded. The main character Rose was likeable, vulnerable, beautiful, frustrating, but most importantly believable. I actually suffer from OCD and anxiety problems myself, so I really found myself connecting with Rose, and also slightly surprisingly I found myself learning something from her emotional journey.
I highly reco
mmend reading Emotional Geology if you are interested in romance, chick-lit, Scottish culture, mental illness, or all of the above! Have you read this? Fancy reading this?
Update: Why not go check out fellow bookworm Amanda’s review and give-away for this book over at Opinions of a Wolf.
If you’ve read and reviewed this book, and would like me to link to you just let me know 
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Thanks, Jessica, for this great review. I was really pleased you enjoyed it.
I lot of people have felt a really strong connection with this book for some reason. It’s quite old now but it just seems to go on and on, thanks to good word of mouth. It was my first novel and I’ve just finished my 6th.
Leonie – I was pleased to hear you like A LIFETIME BURNING. I think perhaps that’s my favourite. That too is out of print now, but there will be a Kindle e-book in January.
Thank you for stopping by Linda. I’m pleased you like my review, Emotional Geology deserved every word I said! And I’m excited to read more of your work
I am so glad you liked it always worrying when someone picks up on a book you have raved about! Reading is such a personal thing. In fact when I am having a tough time, I often think of this book and remember it. Do try Linda’s other books they all hold something special and deal with lots of issues, I have a couple more to read but saving myself at the moment.
Aww bless ya Jo! I know what you mean though in the past I’ve had people read books I raved about and they’ve hated them!! Reading is a very personal thing. But you’re in luck I loved this book, and can’t wait to try some more of Linda’s books. Look forward to more reviews from you to help me choose what to read next
A Lifetime Burning is even better!
Hello Leonie, thank you for stopping by and for the recommendation. I would definitely like to read more by this author!