Review: My favorite book this year I think...  wow...  :)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 15, 2014
I need to give this more than 5 stars... :))I've read some really good books this year but this one will definitely be one of my TOP favorites without a doubt.I'll start with some words of wisdom from the grannies!My wise old Cajun Maw Maw used to say, "Hide your crazy, girl. Ain't nobody wanna see that s***."Maw Maw died of a heart attack at the age of sixty-two. My other grandmother, Nana Mae, who is neither Cajun nor known for being exceptionally wise, is still kicking at eighty-five and says it's because she lets all her crazy out.Hahaha... I love grannies... they always have such creative wisdom don't they??But, I happen to agree with Nana Mae... keeping secrets and keeping everything to yourself can be toxic and can definitely lead to crazy reactions and outcomes. This defines Noah's dad and Jules mother perfectly... these two made me want to scream... I can't believe the secrets they kept from their own children. Betrayal hurts so much more when it comes from those who are supposed to protect and guard you.As a mother of teenage daughters and being around the same age as Jules, I found it incredibly easy to fully immerse myself into her story. I was brought to tears so many times throughout the book because the emotions were so real. The most touching being the memories of those tender moments with her first love Noah at age 17. Powerful stuff people... especially for those of us who know exactly how it feels when you have your heart broken for the first time and experience that first true loss. Do we ever really get over our first loves??Jules and Noah were torn apart by unexpected circumstances and when they finally meet again two decades later, they both find themselves thrust abruptly into facing the mistakes of their youth. Jules and Noah were both simply existing and had remained stagnant in their personal lives. Coming together and breaking down their protective barriers was exactly what they both needed to finally forgive, move forward and take steps to re-building themselves.I was completely in tune with the relationship between Jules and her 18 yr old daughter... man, was that familiar territory. That point where we finally have to allow them to make their own choices... even if they aren't what we want for them. Yep... been there... done that! :)I don't want to say much more because this book is so much better if you don't know too much going into it... but, I will say that I went through a variety of emotions reading this book. I felt anger, shock, disappointment, sadness, frustration... but also hope. By the end of the book the author brings us full circle and gives us one of the most wonderful HEA's... and, left me wondering that maybe all things do happen for a reason. And, in all honesty, it's forced me to reflect a little on how I parent my daughters.If you are like me and you love romances that center around mature characters and you like the occasional trip on the emotional roller coaster... and, you don't mind a good cry... this is an excellent choice! This one is going to stick with me for a while... it's a keeper... :)