Review: Fantastic portrayal of convict
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 15, 2014
I loved this newest book by Cara McKenna. Annie is a librarian sent into Cousins Correctional Facility one day a week to assist the inmates. Eric is an inmate at the facility. Eric and Annie lock eyes the first day, and feel drawn to each other. They embark on a letter romance mainly, as they cannot interact in person much at all. Through letters, Annie gets to know Eric as a gentle and romantic man.Despite the unrealistic romance novel meeting of the librarian and the prisoner, McKenna makes us suspend belief by making her characters so real, and the conflicts they face feel real. Annie and Eric start to get to know each other, getting closer, when Eric is up for parole. Annie has had past experience with violent men, and is not sure at all she is ready to move Eric from letters and fantasy to flesh and blood after parole. In addition to that, there are family issues to consider, and people from the past who could very well interfere with Eric's parole.I loved Eric as a hero. He is strong within his convictions but struggles with dysgraphia as well as finding a career with not even a high school diploma. Many of McKenna's heroes are blue collar, and I like that about her books. These are real guys finding their place in a world that doesn't include being a CEO and top of the heap, yet they are strong men, strong enough to be considerate and gentle people.Eric and Annie overcome several couple conflicts in this book, and it was good to see them struggle with an issue where neither one was really able to give much on their point of view. They had some rough points yet remained respectful. I was so happy to see them get some resolution.This was definitely a memorable, 5-star read for me. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.