Review: Unexpectedly Heartwarming
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2014
This book immediately struck me as "chick lit", which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is certainly out of my normal realm. However, my girlfriend pointed me in this direction and insisted that I check it out. I approached it warily, but was pleasantly surprised at how well-structured a story it was. Obviously, it had heavy undertones of romance and the crux of the book was definitely about the possibility of finding new love in old places, but it was heavy-handed or saccharine either.Perhaps because the subject of divorce and separation are so common these days, it is easier to write in clear, concise, and realistic terms because it is a more discussed and analyzed subject. Whatever the reason, I think that Iles really nailed the issues of lost love, particularly when a child is involved. The protagonist was vulnerable but strong, wary but still full of faith in the future. She wasn't blinded by rose-tinted glasses, but she also wasn't bitter and broken. I think it was a wonderful depiction of modern relationships and the writing itself was powerful and honest. It definitely falls into the category of "chick lit" in my opinion, but that is far from a bad thing, and Iles deserves a place in the genre.