Review: 4.5 STARS for this beautifully written book
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 1, 2014
The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary definition of a Mulligan: a free shot sometimes given a golfer in informal play when the previous shot was poorly played.If life handed you a second chance at love, would you take that mulligan? If you had the opportunity to right a wrong, express what was in your heart, take that chance that so terrified you before, would you jump at the opportunity?This is what The Face in the Mirror by Barbara Stewart is about; taking back the life and the love you should have never walked away from years ago. A life altering experience for Renie has brought the love of her life, Mitchell, back to her.  A gift left to her by her mother that helps both Renie and Mitchell come to terms with the past and solidify that second chance!Meet Renee (Renie) Ridgeway and Mitchell Donovan. Finding one another as teenagers, they knew from that moment that this was it – they were soul mates. Together for years, pressure from her father to pursue law (both of her parents were lawyers) and her lack of maturity caused her to walk away from him.  For Renie, her father’s path was never the path she wanted to follow.  “I was young and immature,” I said. “Finishing classes I despised overwhelmed me. I hated that I allowed my dad to influence my career choice.  You were away so much completing your apprenticeship. Our schedules pushed us apart. I was alone.”.....“And then things changed.”Renie, now in her mid 30’s is mature and stronger then she was the first time with Mitchell. She’s an independent thinker, fun loving, quirky and continues to stand up for herself when it comes to her father.“I never should have left Mitchell. I was selfish and spoiled, but I’ll tell you, right here, right now, that I never stopped loving him. When he came back... I heard God whisper to me, ‘Here’s your chance, don’t be stupid this time’. Mitchell said that we’d been given a mulligan and I’m not passing on a second chance.”Mitchell Donovan is now in his late 30’s.  He’s worked hard all his life and has made something of himself. Having been raised by his mom, he has been taught to be respectful, kind, caring, yet strong and fiercely loyal. Barbara truly wrote him as swoon worthy! The events that led the two of them back together made them both realize that life is too short. Love the people you love and be with the people you were meant to be with.“You left me broken, Renie. When you walked away... I told you that I pouted, but I was in mourning for a long time. I grieved you. Some days, just getting out of bed was a chore. I struggled to move forward.”“She’d broken my heart into a million pieces, but I didn’t dwell on that hurt because I knew my own heart. I’d never fallen out of love with her.”...” We’re older now. We aren’t the young, passionate couple in love with being in love. Renee’s thirty-five and I’m knocking on forty. This was different, but I knew - with no reservations - where my heart was.”Are there love scenes in The Face in the Mirror? Of course there are! I love that these scenes are just simple and pure and written very sensually. Barbara writes from her heart and that heart is sweet and loving, and this comes through in Renie and Mitchell.“I realized that not many times are we offered a mulligan to make something right. I was beyond thankful and blessed...To new beginnings, love that outlasts time, passion, and companionship.” “To finding the love of my life – again”Take a chance, and read The Face in The Mirror. You’ll be glad you did!