Review: Interesting concept, execution needs help
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 7, 2013
I had a very hard time getting in to this book - perhaps we don't get enough background to start, but Lucy was not a sympathetic character and so her actions towards Mason seemed petty and juvenile.  I can understand her initial reaction, but to continue to be so vindictive when Mason has no memory just felt mean.  And if the relationship is that damaged, then wouldn't there be some better alternatives for getting Mason's memory back than to reenact their wedding?  (OK - suspension of disbelief means I can live with that one if some of the other issues are addressed...)I also had issues with grammar/usage - queue instead of cue; phrases like 'her and I'; at one point, Lucy proclaims that she is appalled, but she is clearly excited and in approval, so I have no idea what the author was trying to say on that one...  I can overlook a few typos, but this was consistent enough to distract from the story.My biggest complaint, however, was in the storytelling approach.  The first person narrative just wasn't very effective - I was being told about the story rather than being part of seeing the story unfold.  The transitions were awkward - I felt like I was frequently being told 'two weeks later' or 'now it is fall' instead of the story naturally flowing around the advancing time.  Dialog was scarce and stilted: most of us speak in contractions.  I also felt like the foreshadowing was more telegraphing - not exactly subtle.The characters became more interesting and the story more fun once it was past the half-way mark, although it ended in predictable fashion.  I'm interested in the author's future work if it comes complete with an editor/proofreader.