The story of Emily and Sam, from their first connection when she sings in the church choir through to… well, I won’t spoil it for you.

Sam loves music; Emily can’t sing. His life is a mystery; he and his damaged brother move from place to place, with a father who both neglects and dominates them. Emily lives with her loving family and dates a boy in her class, but she believes in destiny and her destiny is Sam.

To describe a book as a page-turner generally means it’s either a crime novel or a thriller. This is neither, but nevertheless is deserving of that description. Intriguing, romantic, but not in a “soppy” way, sometimes far-fetched, but still strangely believable, this is a beautifully written début novel. Aimed at young adults – a group to which I have not belonged for some considerable time – it is worthy of a wider readership.

Verdict: An outstanding read. *****