The Tui Has Landed is an engaging, feel-good read reminiscent of books by Marian Keyes with its lively characters and sense of humour, but also the way it explores some deeper underlying themes.
Becky seems to lurch from disaster to disaster. She is unlucky in love after a series of terrible dates with unsuitable men, and she is now facing unemployment after being late for her retail shop job one time too many.
She will consider any job and applies for a position as a nanny to three boisterous young boys. When she goes to the job interview, she hits it off immediately with their stepmother, Anahera, who seems to be living the perfect life with her wealthy partner in their fancy house. But looks can be deceiving, and Becky declines the job when Anahera’s partner is dismissive and rude to her and Anahera. But it’s not long before Becky and Anahera’s lives are set to collide in the most unexpected of ways.
Interspersed with this is the tale of another woman with a gambling problem, and her story intertwines with Becky and Anahera’s by the book’s end.
This book is for people with a sense of humour, as it has some great one-liners, and the characterisation is warm and friendly. It’s a light, pacey read that is a little over the top that will put a smile on your face. Humour is hard to do well, but the author has hit the sweet spot with the writing and plot.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
The Copy Press