Review: Becoming Mrs. Walsh
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 31, 2013
When it comes to love ... do you follow your heart ... or do what's expected?Becoming Mrs. Walsh follows twenty-six year old photojournalist Shoshana Thompson's journey to the altar as she plans her wedding to Andrew Walsh, the last of four brothers from a prominent Washington D.C. family to get married. Coming from a simple family lifestyle in Iowa, Shoshana feels like she doesn't fit in with the opulence and extravagance of the Walsh family, but knows that she can learn to live within their privileged world. But their relationship is not your typical one, Andrew is more often absent due to his top secret job, and his distant demeanor has Shoshana questioning their relationship, especially when she begins to have feelings for a man that is definitely off limits. As her wedding day approaches, Shoshana's mixed emotions will leave her with a decision to make ... is it really worth becoming Mrs. Walsh or should she follow her heart?In her debut novel, author Jessica Gordon transports the reader to the extravagant city of movers and shakers in Washington D.C., where they follow Shoshana Thompson as she tries to fit into a new lifestyle that she is not accustomed to while establishing relationships with her future in-laws. This story has intricately interwoven and complex layers that simply draws the reader in from the start and captivates you with an intriguing storyline full of drama and enough twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages.I loved the character development in this story. Not only does the author feature the trials and tribulations that befall Shoshana as she struggles with her relationship and future with Andrew; the author also interweaves the relationships that she shares with the Walsh family: future mother-in-law Birdie and the three Walsh brothers and their wives. The dialogue and interactions between the characters are realistic, they come alive and leap off the pages. I found myself fascinated with the Walsh family and the core relationship theme of the story and how it relates to marriage, family and loyalty. I could relate to the relationship issues that comes with marriage and in-laws, the dynamics of this relationship is complex and universal for anyone who has traveled down this path in life. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the author's description of the opulence of the family's high society Washington D.C. lifestyle, it made my inner fashionista smile and sigh with wistful thinking. I could easily see this story as a made-for-tv movie on Lifetime. The only thing that made me groan is the anti-climantic ending. The author does a great job of making her readers yearn for more as they wait for the sequel to reveal what happens to Shoshana, Andrew and the rest of Walsh family members.Becoming Mrs. Walsh is an intriguing story of family relationships and marriage that will keep you thoroughly entertained.Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.