I just love Isabelle Broom’s writing. You’ll find my reviews of her books here on Linda’s Book Bag. I was thrilled when a copy of her latest book, The Orange House was sent to me and delighted to be asked onto the blog tour by lovely Alainna Hadjigeorgiou. It’s my pleasure to share my review of The Orange House today.

Published by Hodder and Stoughton on 4th July 2024, The Orange House is available for purchase through the publisher links here.

The Orange House

Henry and Violet first met in the garden of The Orange House on the beautiful island of Mallorca.

They promised their lives to each other, poured their love into restoring the house and built the foundations of their marriage within its walls. First it was their private idyll, then a place to escape with their son, Luke – but now it has become a battleground.

As the years have passed, cracks have appeared and secrets have built barriers between them.

Finally, on the brink of divorce, they have come back to Mallorca to sell up. Will this final summer together be the end – or a new beginning?

Twenty years ago, The Orange House brought them together.
Now, will it be reason they part?

My Review of The Orange House

Henry and Violet are on the brink of divorce.

From the first page it is obvious that The Orange House is a very special book. It shimmers with tangible emotion so that the reader is ensnared immediately. 

Initially, The Orange House might appear to be a relatively simple story of a failed marriage, but my goodness, wonderful as that element is, that description is to do it an injustice. This is a mature, affecting and sensitively written exploration not just of marriage, but of family and the very essence of what makes us human. Isabelle Broom peels away the layers of identity and mental health so that I found the story emotionally stunning.

I confess that I found Violet hard to like at times. Her constant wariness around Luke, her self-deception and the secrets she keeps from others made me want to shake her, but by the end of The Orange House I could not have cared more for her. The reader goes on the journey of self-realisation with her, getting to know every aspect of her flawed, fragile and yet incredibly resilient personality. She’s one of the most well rounded characters I think I’ve encountered in fiction.

That said, both Luke and Henry are real triumphs too. With a family member of my own suffering the same kind of issues as Luke, The Orange House felt all the more authentic to me. My heart ached for Henry as he tried to find his role within the family unit, but he too has faults and stubbornness so that he contains true depth. I loved the way Eliza is a touchstone and pivot around whom the dysfunctional relationships between Violet, Henry and Luke revolve. She provides distance and perspective, despite her youth.

The plot is brilliantly constructed and whilst I’m not usually a huge fan of dual time lines, I loved the way Isabelle Broom gradually uncovered the past leading to the impasse Violet and Henry now find themselves in. There’s a touch of mystery too that heightens the tension so that the story is gripping and immersive.

Speaking of immersive, the Majorcan setting is quite perfect. Descriptions are vivid, and with everything from food to rooftops woven in with true dexterity, it is as if the reader is on the island. 

But it is the range of emotion and theme that makes The Orange House so mesmerising and moving. It’s a story resonating with the depths of despair and sadness, and yet it remains hopeful and uplifting so that it lifts the spirits even as it entertains. 

The Orange House is a profound book. It’s steeped in humanity. It’s mature and intelligent and I loved it.

About Isabelle Broom

Isabelle Broom was born in Cambridge nine days before the 1980s began and studied Media Arts at university in London before a 12-year stint at Heat magazine. When she is not travelling all over the world seeking out settings for her escapist novels, Isabelle can mostly be found in Suffolk, where she shares a home with her two dogs and more books than she could ever hope to read in a lifetime.

For more information, visit Isabelle’s website. You can also follow her on Twitter/X @Isabelle_Broom or Instagram and find her on Facebook.

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