Review: Gripping and well written
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 16, 2013
"Burnt Promises (Brooklyn and Bo Chronicles)" by Brenda Perlin tells the story of Bo and Brooklyn whose new relationship is tested by the judgement and interference of the two spouses they are leaving behind. Bo's ex-wife in particular is taling the end of her 19 year relationship and her `replacement' badly and engages in an endless legal battle and an abusive email campaign.To this reader, not accepting the new life and moving on with it, it is actually the ex-wife who becomes the actual home wrecker. Told entirely from Brooklyn's point of view, in memoir style, this book presents a lot of philosophical and ethical material and food for thought. Brooklyn suffers from a disease that makes her see life in a different light and she will no longer settle for second best.Looking back at her previous relationships and her marriage the narrative explains just how Brooklyn came to the point of throwing her principles of not wrecking a home overboard. It is this central conflict that causes her guilt, yet needs to be overcome and dealt with constructively. Through her writing and her intelligent and emotional reflections the writer gradually comes to terms with this.In the battle that ensues with the ex-wife Brooklyn - in my opinion - soon pays her dues and some more.  The wronged party becomes the wrong doer, a moral twist that goes to show that not all relationships are to be rescued and that not all people can be helped. Who can blame Bo for wanting to part from such a nasty person.Whatever your viewpoints on separation, cheating and marriage are, Brooklyn's story will force you to reflect upon them in any case - so thoughtful and honest is the writing. And as in life, the story often continues, in our case with Book 3. A very accomplished piece of literature.