Review: Written Like a Diary/Journal Between Friends
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 20, 2013
This book caught my eye because it had two things that always interest me: 1) a protagonist in law school or who has been an attorney; and 2) an Englishman. My eldest son is an attorney, and every Englishman I've known has been a wonderful gentleman and a friend. How could I go wrong with the book?This is a sweet romance written primarily for what I would call the "new adult" market.  It follows the overwhelming romance of Shannon and Will from the time they meet, when she is in her last year of law school, through both of their deaths.  I have mixed feelings about the book.  On the one hand, it is sweet and kind and I liked the idea of finding a soul mate that is truly a part of your life forever.  On the other hand, much of the story is told as a combination of travel journal, diary, and phone texts. There were many parts of the story I felt could have been left out, and other places I felt needed to be more developed. I didn't personally care for the development of the story in the last 40 pages or so. But that is more of a personal preference. Some will probably like the fact that the author chose to play out Shannon's entire life.In the end what kept me going was the love story between Shannon and Will and the cast of supporting characters in their friends on both sides. If you are looking for a more traditional novel with tight action and emotion and a more typical demarcation of the romance story, then you will probably feel this goes on too long and doesn't provide enough to keep you satisfied.  However, if you want something sweet, kind, and in a format that is more akin to your best friend writing you of her travels and life over about 50 years, particularly the all consuming love of her life, then you will like this book and finish it with a big smile.