Review: sweet & beautiful
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 20, 2011
NO SPOILER PLOT DISCLOSURES HERE (WHICH TOO MANY PEOPLE CONFUSE WITH AN ACTUAL REVIEW).  This deceptively simple tale is exceptionally well written, and it quickly and unexpectedly went to my heart.  I read it the day I bought it, and again the day after.  Ms. Lane handles an interesting time-shift device in her story with graceful skill.  Her characters are clearly individuals with their own separate thought processes and experiences and voices - and both protagonists are uniquely charming and appealing, yet also imperfect.  Kind of like actual human beings. Sure, there are some minor flaws in the story, but nothing too jarring, and all of it eminently forgivable, given the overall excellent quality of the writing and storytelling.  This is the first piece I have read by Ms. Lane, and I chose it because others had reviewed it so well.  I like to read some of an author's best efforts to start with, to better decide whether or not to buy more.  Such an easy call - I'll absolutely be getting more of Ms. Lane's work.