Review: A MUST READ!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 20, 2011
The story alternates between what seems to be reality, dreams and dreams within dreams.  After experiencing a romantic relationship of five months in a dream one evening, with Annie Maddock - a girl he has never met before, Derrick Sloane is cruelly awakened by the ringing phone. But imagine his surprise when he really meets Annie at The Coffee Shop: just as he had in the dream.The events leading up to the meeting is frighteningly similar. A truck had lost its load in the street causing a traffic pile-up, which in turn caused Derrick not to be able to get to his usual morning haunt for his usual morning coffee - hence the detour to The Coffee Shop.Derrick (a very likeable character), is a successful businessman who is out of his depth when it comes to dealing with personal relationships and his feelings for his loved ones. Despite his wealthy status, he is a remarkably unselfish person capable of making life-altering personal sacrifices to protect others from harm. He cares deeply for his friend dr. Brian Taylor who had been his friend since childhood and with whom he regularly enjoyed a game of racquetball. But then his own life changes, when along comes Annie.Annie, an uncomplicated girl who enjoys the simple things in life, provides a welcome contrast to Derrick's life in the competitive corporate world; just the kind of woman he wants to come home to. As their relationship progresses, he discovers that Annie has the intelligence and potential to be more than the health store clerk that she is. He mentions this to her. That night in his dream of the future, Annie is a business woman and no longer the home maker he loved in the first dream. He soon realises that trying to change Annie to what he thinks she should be, is unwise, as the result might not be to his liking or her benefit.I couldn't help but grin from time to time. As Derrick is the only one experiencing the dreams and alternations between present and future, he comes up with some ideas, statements and suggestions which seem ludicrous to Annie. Thinking Derrick slightly crazy or ill, she then summons his friend, the good doctor, who most of the time, displays remarkable faith in Derrick and tries to help him figure things out.There are some truly heart-stopping moments when the lives of both Brian and Annie hang in the balance. Derrick has to do some fast thinking to prevent disaster. All these dreams and shifting timelines present him with choices which will determine the ultimate fate of Annie, Brian and himself. When he does something in the present, it changes things in the future.The dialogue is highly stimulating; full of banter, humour and wit; and the rapid shifts between dream and reality, future and present, keeps the reader intrigued. The somewhat poignant romance may even make your eyes mist over. I absolutely recommend this book to anybody who wants to read a romance with an unforgettable twist and a healthy dose of suspense. "The Coffee Shop" will pleasantly surprise you!