Although this one was verbal rather than written. It did come from someone who is not a member of my family though. It's from a colleague who teaches English Lit. He said that he really enjoyed it - there were a couple of points which made him wince (although they were only minor points, so nothing really to worry about). However, he praised the story and the dialogue (which he said he thought was really well written). And, even better, he told me that he read from page 80 to the end in one sitting because he really wanted to find out what happened! He was disappointed at the end because he wanted more and asked if there was going to be a sequel.

I know it's really only one step up from my mum saying it's the best book she's ever read, but it was good for me, after the crappy day I had at work today...