Review: Finding My Way Home
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 5, 2013
Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.Zoey is a young woman on the run from her abusive husband. She finds herself in Sterling, WY, a mecca for those looking to escape their former lives and start anew. It is there she makes a new life as Brennan, renting a room in the local boarding house from a surrogate grandmotherly-type Bailey, and starting a job at a coffee shop. This is where she meets Hutchinson (Hutch), a tall, handsome widower who left behind his life as a professional football player and model after the death of his wife Joni.Hutch quickly figures out Zoey's real identity and secret and while vowing to protect her, falls in love. This is the first time Hutch has felt such emotions since his wife died and he falls hard and fast. He quickly goes from being a fellow boarder at the boarding house to moving in with Zoey in her room and professing his love to her.Finding My Way Home is a very quick, easy read, but unfortunately it falls flat on many levels. While this is marketed as a Young Adult romance, there are many aspects of the relationship between Zoey and Hutch that are quite juvenile. Hutch regularly refers to Zoey as "my girl" or "baby girl", rather than by name. Literally, the term "my girl" is referenced forty-three times. "Baby", either "my baby" or "baby girl" is mentioned 128 times. Zoey in turn refers to Hutch as "my guy" or "my man". For a widower and a near divorcee who is the survivor of abuse, this language just seems out of place, it is more reminiscent of two teens falling love, not two adults pushing 30.The entire story takes place in less than a month, (realistically more like 2-3 weeks), and let's just say, there is no beating around the bush in terms of the speed in which things take place. While I understand that with a work of fiction we must maintain a measure of suspension of disbelief, this story is off the charts in regards to believability. If a light read with a happy ending is what you are looking for, this would be a great book for you. Ms. Green is an excellent author and it is well written; however, if you are looking for a book that really makes you stop and think and will somehow leave a mark on you, this is not the book for you.Another thing that really bothered me with this book is another device that continues to pop up in romance novel after romance novel...the bottom lip chewing and the "you know what that does to me". Unfortunately, what once was a sexy little quirk, has become a overused and laughable. Much like the smirk on our alpha male's face, it has become commonplace.I give Finding My Way Home three stars. Unfortunately, there are too many problems with the language and dialog for it to be a truly noteworthy, however it was enjoyable enough. Fans of the lighter side of the genre might find it well worth their time.