Leaving Patrick
Reviews
Leith writes with depth, making us root for both country boy Patrick and urbane Jane.
People
Leith is an accomplished storyteller who writes with pace
Woman and Home
As recipes for a beach read go, Leith's novel is pukka fare
Independent
Leith - one of Britain's most renowened chefs - has written a charming first novel about a wife's holiday from a marriage gone stale. Leith maintains a credible tension until the final page. Her colourful Indian travelogue and insider's view of the food service business breathe new life into a fairly stnadard plot. This lighthearted romantic confection is sure to win a new legion of readers here.
Publishers Weekly
An engrossing and assured first novel from Prue Leith about married professionals and their relationships.
Realising her marriage has gone astray, partly because of the strains put upon it by her highly paid, highly demanding job as a lawyer, Jane decides to leave her restaurateur husband Patrick. Escaping from it all on holiday in India, she meets Rajiv, who shows her a side of life she realizes she’s been missing for too long.
Meanwhile, back in London, Patrick is trying to pick up the pieces. A warm, cultured, ex-army man who desperately wants a family life, he is quickly entranced by the beautiful young food critic Stella. Soon he is willing to do anything to keep her, even if it means putting his business on the line.
As Patrick and Jane embark on their new relationships, it seems as if they’ve managed to put their own failed marriage behind them. But the past has a way of coming back to haunt you and long-standing, emotional ties are hard to sever…..
Penguin
High pwered city lawyer Jane leaves here eponymous husband and travels to India where she falls for Rajiv, the tour guide. Back in London Patrick becomes involved with the treacherous journalist Stella whilst he battles to save his ailing restaurant. But has Jane thrown away the real thing wihout even realising it? A captivating debut novel by the famous restaurateur.
Publishing News
A light novel by the celebrity cook about a marriage break-up. The wife goes off to India and has an affair, while the husband, a restaurateur, takes on a new lady and the task of renovating a run-down pub. The India and restaurant bits are interesting, although the treatment of relationships is not so different from others in this genre. But it is an original at a good price, and with an attractive cover. No doubt there will be a lot of coverage, helped by a big push from Penguin.
Penguin Original
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