Click to purchase! Publisher: She Writes Press
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 275
Source: Publicist
Genre: Womens Fiction, Chick Lit
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis:Letting go after her abrupt break-up with Samson is harder than Julene thought it would be, especially since her ex has wasted no time in burying himself in the local dating scene. But during an extended visit to her parents overseas, Julene rediscovers her love of art, and a burgeoning career develops. Samson, on the other hand, after trying valiantly--and unsuccessfully--to forget Julene, has settled instead on his own new career.
When Julene returns home to Australia, a coincidental meeting leads to an emotional reunion--but her love and patience will be tested when she finds out just how busy Samson has been in her absence. Yes, they have both made mistakes they can work through and move past--but when a specter from Samson's past looms, Julene wonders: Can she trust him again?
* This book was provided by BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 275
Source: Publicist
Genre: Womens Fiction, Chick Lit
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis:Letting go after her abrupt break-up with Samson is harder than Julene thought it would be, especially since her ex has wasted no time in burying himself in the local dating scene. But during an extended visit to her parents overseas, Julene rediscovers her love of art, and a burgeoning career develops. Samson, on the other hand, after trying valiantly--and unsuccessfully--to forget Julene, has settled instead on his own new career.
When Julene returns home to Australia, a coincidental meeting leads to an emotional reunion--but her love and patience will be tested when she finds out just how busy Samson has been in her absence. Yes, they have both made mistakes they can work through and move past--but when a specter from Samson's past looms, Julene wonders: Can she trust him again?
* This book was provided by BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.
Micayla Lally really knows how to draw you into her book! Told by back and forth perspectives of the two main characters, Julene and Samson, you get a great view of how their lives have shaped them post-breakup. The characters start out in a Yin and Yang-type fashion, one doing amazingly with a new, optimistic start to their life, and the other in a downward-spiral that made them a hard character to like. The juicy plot gets to a great start and I couldn’t put it down for the first few chapters.
… However, that’s where my interest peaked. The next 150 pages were spent forcing myself through unrealistic character interaction, awkward dialogue and not too much actual plot development. The chapters started out with colorful detail, but quickly turned into choppy descriptions that read more like a list of their daily activities. There were so many opportunities to develop scenes, slow down the pace, and create compelling interaction with secondary characters; but every time Lally got close, it would cut to the next scene. The only thing keeping me going was the thought that “there HAS to be a climax coming at some point.”
… However, that’s where my interest peaked. The next 150 pages were spent forcing myself through unrealistic character interaction, awkward dialogue and not too much actual plot development. The chapters started out with colorful detail, but quickly turned into choppy descriptions that read more like a list of their daily activities. There were so many opportunities to develop scenes, slow down the pace, and create compelling interaction with secondary characters; but every time Lally got close, it would cut to the next scene. The only thing keeping me going was the thought that “there HAS to be a climax coming at some point.”
That said, my favorite part of the book was the plot. The storyline following the post-break-up events was a great place to start, and dropping a few flashbacks and background story really appealed to the romance-genre-loving personality that I am. If you know me, or have ever watched a movie with me, you know that I love guessing what’s going to happen next. When the plot if predictable, it makes it fun, but when the plot throws me a curveball, it’s thrilling! Even though I could pick out a lot of things I didn’t like about the delivery of the scenes, the climax was great and really threw me (I had been trying to predict the outcome with what I thought was foreshadowing, and learned not to underestimate Mrs. Micayla Lally). I was a little disappointed to look down and realize that it came with hardly any time left for a good resolution, and it ended abruptly as if she was only allotted exactly 275 pages to her book.
I would recommend this book to readers in their 20’s and 30’s, as it would appeal to someone who is in that stage of life where you thought you might be destined to go one direction, but you slowly start to realize that the real-world has many more forks in the road than you anticipated. It’ll be inspiring to people navigating a career change, or those who want to pursue a passion of theirs. It’ll make you wonder if you could (or should) forgive that one person you didn’t think you could. And it will definitely make you want to spice up your relationship with a significant other!
I would recommend this book to readers in their 20’s and 30’s, as it would appeal to someone who is in that stage of life where you thought you might be destined to go one direction, but you slowly start to realize that the real-world has many more forks in the road than you anticipated. It’ll be inspiring to people navigating a career change, or those who want to pursue a passion of theirs. It’ll make you wonder if you could (or should) forgive that one person you didn’t think you could. And it will definitely make you want to spice up your relationship with a significant other!
About Reviewer Lauren:
Lauren Dalton is a Financial Advisor by day, and a book-loving homebody by night. She loves trying new things and new hobbies and is currently perfecting her skating backwards technique with the local Roller Derby team, and learning to shift out of first gear on the dirtbike that her husband helped her rebuild. She loves spending her downtime with her husband, stepson, and black Labrador puppy.
Lauren Dalton is a Financial Advisor by day, and a book-loving homebody by night. She loves trying new things and new hobbies and is currently perfecting her skating backwards technique with the local Roller Derby team, and learning to shift out of first gear on the dirtbike that her husband helped her rebuild. She loves spending her downtime with her husband, stepson, and black Labrador puppy.
