WHEN I was handed the review copy of James Patterson's latest book, excitement soon turned to dismay.

My favourite author, the man who created Detective Alex Cross - the hero of numerous bestselling books including Jack And Jill, Kiss The Girls and Along Came A Spider - had written a love story. Surely not. It must be another James Patterson. My James Patterson would never write a soppy, girlie love story. Would he?

I put it to one side, read half a dozen other books, then, when the publication date drew near, reluctantly picked it up again.

I read it in one session, from cover to cover, hardly drawing breath, and I had a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat at the end.

This was definitely the work of James Patterson, master storyteller.

The story centres on publishing editor Katie Wilkinson, who believes she has found the perfect man at last. But one day he disappears from her life leaving behind a diary for her to read.

The diary was written by a new mother (Suzanne), as a keepsake for her baby son (Nicholas).

In it she touchingly recounts the initial romance between herself and the child's father.

As Katie reads on, it becomes clear that the lover who has left her is the same man as the husband and father in the diary.

It's a powerful, touching and unforgettable read. A book which is filled with both tragedy and hope.