Review: November Surprise
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2012
November Surprise is a story that follows the life of Lucy Jones in a span of twenty years from her senior year in high school in 1988 to her twentieth high school reunion in 2008. Author Laurel Osterkamp weaves an intriguing tale that expands upon the novel's companion novella, Campaign Promises, where the reader is first introduced to Lucy via five vignettes that touch upon the milestones in her life in connection with each time period's corresponding political landscape. Told in the first person narrative, Lucy invites the reader into her life story, and shares her fascination for politics along with her evolvement and growth of her views on life, love and politics over the twenty years. Filled with idealism, realism and humor that shines a spotlight on Lucy's life and the political landscape between 1988-2008, November Surprise is a story about a girl who is trying to find her way and make the right choices in her private and public life.While the story revolves around Lucy and her two relationships with brothers Jack and Monty Bricker, this is so much more than the typical boy-girl romance story. It is a realistic story of a girl coming of age, who learned to define and voice her political and relationship beliefs that ultimately shaped her life within a twenty year span. Lucy takes the reader on a nostalgic walk down the political memory lane covering five elections from Bush-Dukakis through Obama-McCain in rich detail and vivid descriptions seen through her passionate eyes. With each election that Lucy describes, the reader can see the evolved connection between the political commentary, Lucy's life situation, life lesson learned, and her level of growth and maturity at each time period.I loved the relationships that Lucy had with Jack and Monty, the growth and strength of their bond that grew over the years was poignant and made their relationships special. I especially loved how Lucy and Monty's relationship evolved and developed, it provided the right kind of romantic scenario that everyone looks for and enjoys when they read a Chick Lit and Contemporary Romance novel. Lucy is one feisty, opinionated and intelligent lady. I thoroughly enjoyed her passion, outlook, and perspectives on life and politics. I loved both Jack and Monty's personalities, while they are total opposites, they are both endearing and wonderful men. I loved how they shared a powerful bond of friendship and family.As a college graduate with a BA Degree in Political Science and a longtime history/politics buff, I loved how the author interwove the political time period and pop culture references of 1988-2008 into the story. I enjoyed taking the stroll down memory lane, and found myself laughing as I reminisced and thought that the author's take on that time period was filled with humor, sarcasm and was mildly sardonic. If you are looking for a wonderful romantic story with a political theme, one that parallels and encompasses politics with relationships, then November Surprise is the one for you!