Review: A Year To Remember
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 4, 2012
A single twenty-nine year old woman ... a drunken wedding toast with a promise to be married by her thirtieth birthday that was videotaped and posted on YouTube ... a plan to find her soul mate within the year ... and a national morning show following her progress. The result: one woman's year of following the yellow brick road on a personal journey of self-discovery.Sara Friedman is a twenty-nine year old single woman from Detroit, Michigan. When her younger brother gets married on her twenty-ninth birthday, Sara's drunken wedding toast turns into a passionate promise to find her own soul mate and get married by her thirtieth birthday. Someone videotaped her toast and it went viral on YouTube gaining national attention from the media with a proposal to follow her progress via a blog, and if she succeeds in finding her soul mate, they will provide the wedding on air. From online dating to speed dating to the local Jewish social network, Sara dives into the dating pool in search of her soul mate. With trial and tribulations along the way, Sara's embarks on a journey of self-discovery where she will learn about herself, what is important in life, and to accept the blessings and enjoyment of a fulfilling life.A Year To Remember is an entertaining and witty story about self-discovery and acceptance. The author weaves a realistic tale that readers can relate to, who hasn't had issues in their lives that they had to deal with and overcome? By following along on Sara's journey of self-discovery, the author engages the reader with a realistic and thought provoking look at issues that any woman may have dealt with in their own lives. Written in a humorous and witty style, the story is told in the first person narrative by our neurotic protagonist, Sara Friedman. Sara draws the reader into her story with a lot of humor and bares her insecurities and flaws for all to see. You can't help but become her cheerleader as her year long journey of self-discovery leads her along the path to finding out about herself and the surprising revelation of her soul mate.The cast of characters are realistic and engaging, their quirky personalities and interactions provide an entertaining story that will keep you laughing along with their antics. Sara is a realistic woman with real flaws, insecurities and issues that are easy to relate to. Her strength and determination throughout her journey comes through in a way that has the reader cheering for her, hoping that at the year's end she'll succeed in not only finding her soul mate, but that she'll also discover and accept herself for who she really is. With best friend Missy encouraging, guiding and having Sara's back like only a true lifelong BFF would, it made me smile and think about my own lifelong BFF. I would be remiss if I didn't comment on Sara's soul mate, since I don't want to provide any spoiler information, suffice it to say I had a feeling it would be "him" all along, and I wasn't left disappointed.The author provides a wonderful description of Sara's journey. I really enjoyed how the author described Sara's year of self-growth in an entertaining, thought provoking, inspiring and thoughtful manner. The neat part of the author's descriptive style of writing is that she allows Sara to be quirky and not a dark character, and even with flaws and insecurities, it's okay to laugh at yourself as you discover and accept who you really are.A Year To Remember is a lighthearted story of self-discovery and finding romance that will leave a smile on your face.