The 123 Trilogy
Retro Contemporary Fiction about Life, Love & London
The 123 Trilogy began as just one book about life and love in London and finding 'the one' in a world where change is the only constant. I was looking to put a narrative around the evolving relationship models, as the world around us shifts and changes. Needless to say, the story quickly became bigger than just one book, and thus the trilogy was born.
I’m looking at three relationship models and how they fit in the modern world. I was frustrated that there was no narrative, no guidance, no map on how to date as the role of women has shifted and changed, and continues to do so. As the role of women shifts and changes, it’s natural that the role of men will have to shift and adapt, again with no narrative, no guidance, no map.
Technological innovation has levelled the playing field for everyone and it has been fascinating watching the barriers fall down, and new industries thrive. The trilogy tracks the journey from the analogue world to the digital. My aim is always to capture the essence of a place and time, and I think now more than ever, it’s important to take a moment and capture this as things continue to change so rapidly. We’ve barely processed one shiny new thing and it has already been upgraded.
As the story evolved and morphed into a trilogy it very quickly became apparent that London was as much a character in the books as the actual characters.The story moves from Leafy SW4, a fun haven for twenty-somethings, to the slightly more grown-up and glamorous Notting Hill in West London as the characters start to turn thirty and seriously consider their options for adulting.
The books are fiction and they are a fun read, but as a contemporary fiction author I am looking at some of the salient issues that we are facing, and as a transformation specialist I am always looking at ways to help you navigate the twists and turns in an unpredictable world, and none of my characters escape unscathed by personal transformation and change.
I hope that you can recognise yourself and your friends in my characters and maybe learn a little along the way. Above all I hope that you enjoy a fun read, and if nothing else transport yourself out of your crowded tube commute into a world of a time gone by.
Get in touch
If you're interested in working with me or woudl like to schedule an interview or guest post, don't hesitate to reach out. I'd love to hear from you!
One? Two? & Three?
One?
It's London in the mid-noughties before Facebook, iPhones and ubiquitous wifi, and One? follows the highs and lows of a group of twenty-somethings living in leafy SW4. Zara has just moved to London for her first real job and struggles to find her feet in a big city with no instruction manual. Penelope works night and day in an investment bank with little or no time for love. At 28 she is positively ancient as far as her mother is concerned and the pressure is on for her to settle down as the big 3-0 is looming. Charlie spends night and day with his band who are constantly teetering on the verge of greatness. Richard has relocated to London from his castle in Scotland in search of the one, and Alyx is barely in one place long enough to hold down a relationship let alone think about the future.
Two?
Can you even remember a time before Tinder and TikTok? Or before your iPhone became your constant connection to everyone and everything? In Two?, the second book in Jennifer L Cahill’s debut 123 trilogy, we see dating go digital as the online world starts to impose itself more on everyone's day to day lives. Set in the late noughties, ‘Two?’ throws challenges at the characters at every turn, forcing them to grow and to develop into their best selves.
Some of the things that happened in One? are now impossible in Two? with the advent of the iPhone, Facebook and all of the gifts and challenges that social media and constant connectivity bring.
‘Two?’ Picks up where ‘One?’ left off, with lots of questions to be answered. There are many more changes to navigate and more personal transformation to master.
As some of the characters start to turn thirty the story naturally moves to the beautiful Notting Hill in West London, with a new borough, a new backdrop, a new vibe, some new characters and lots of drama.
Three?
In Three?, the third book in Jennifer L Cahill’s debut 123 trilogy, we see that the third time really is the charm as the characters finally find some resolution to their life and dating dilemmas. Where to live? Who to date? Where to work? How to balance it all? What to post? What not to post?
For some of the characters, navigating life in their thirties is no easier than the twenties and we see how they have to adapt, as the way we date and relate constantly evolves. Three? is about life in the thirties, and the characters finally getting closer to answering some of life's big questions in the most innovative period in living history.
Media and Reviews
Review of 'One?' by @myfictionaloasis
Review of 'One?' by @Yor_Bookworm
Review of 'One?' by @BookMadJo
Review of 'One?' by Zoe @FictionBookReviews
Top Lockdown Reads by @bookbloghannah
Review of 'One?' by @book_cosy
Review of 'One?' by @bookbloghannah
Review of 'One?' by @HollyRawlins2
Review of 'One?' by @Inspirethroughreading
Author Interview by @bookish_ayushi
Review of 'One?' by @bookish_ayushi
Review of 'One?' by @manisbookcorner
Review of 'One?' by @Tranquil_Reader
Author Interview on @BaderRadio
Review of 'One?' by @ReviewerLady
Review of 'One?' by @BookSwotNaina
Author Interview by Stacey @StoryWhispers
Author Interview on The Versatile Writer Podcast
Review of 'One?' by @ElaTheReader
Review of 'One?' by @BookReviewHub
Review of 'One?' by Jodie @W&SBookclub
Review of 'One?' by Ally @Allysreadingcorner
Author Interview by Liz @Lizzumsliveslife
Review of 'One?' by Tracy @honestmamreader
Review of 'One?' by Hannah on Writer's Block Colne Radio
Review of 'One?' by Stacey @whisperingstories
Review of 'One?' by CB @MonLivres
Review of 'One?' by Rebecca @whatrebeccasread
Review of 'One?' by @Selectpages1 Booktube
Review of 'One?' by Rosy @rosysparkles
Review of 'One?' by Kaili @EntertaininglyNerdy
Review of 'One?' by Hannah @PagesPlaces & Plates
Critique of 'One?' by the MidWest Book Review
Review of 'One?' & Author Interview by Eugenia @Genieinabook
Review of 'One?' by Georgia @Whatsinmywonderland
Review of 'One?' by Jolene @babydolls&razorblades
Review of 'One?' by Anthea @Proudbookreviews
Review of 'One?' by Lauren @Lala'sbookreviews
Review of 'One?' by Toya @TheReadingChemist
Review of 'One?' by Bex @ MummyisReading
Review of 'One?' by Cen @ Cenninsbookreviews
Review of 'One?' by Helen @ pinkanddizzy
Review of 'One?' by Zenobia @ entangledwords
Review of 'One?' by Anisa @ bookishbibliophile
Review of 'One?' by Justina @ J's Bookshelf
Review of 'One?' by Kelli Ann @ WhatKelReads
Review of 'One?' by Jeannie at Rustic Book Travels
Rosie Amber's Book Blog - #RBRT
'One?' Review by Lizanne Lloyd - #RBRT
Interview by Chris O' Connor at Impulse Gamer
'One?' Review by Laura at Novel Kicks
'One?' Review at Deanne's Book Thoughts
'One?' Review by Amanda at Chocolate Pages
'One?' Review at Belle and the Novel
'One?' Review at Marie's Book Boutique
Why I wrote One? Interview by Delightful Book Reviews
My top five authors Interview by Short Book and Scribes
