An ambitious effort, but one that lacks verisimilitude.
In Andersen’s (Other Me, 2018) novel, an international best-selling author risks the ruination of his career when his past resurfaces.
Logan Bendt has a secret. When he walks across the stage to receive his diploma at Waterston College’s graduation ceremony, he’s going to reveal to the world that he’s actually the much older, reclusive best-selling author Roberts Bree, who’s scheduled to give the commencement speech. He’s also secretly in love with his favorite professor, Dr. Alyssa Kennedy. After the truth comes out, he and Alyssa act on their feelings for each other—but then his former flame, Yvette Mélisande, resurfaces, claiming he abandoned a child he didn’t know he had. Logan is certain that little Mathieu isn’t his, and he realizes that he has to find a way to prove it. If he can’t, it could cause a scandal that could tarnish his career and reputation, and possibly cause the publication of his latest novel to be canceled. In a matter of days, he must track down Mathieu’s real father and win back Alyssa’s heart. However, the odds seem stacked against him, as Alyssa is heartbroken over the revelation and Yvette is determined to keep up the farce—but he might find some help from some friends in low places. This novel’s initial premise, involving Logan’s secret-identity ruse, is intriguing. However, the ensuing scandal over Logan’s past affair requires too much suspension of disbelief on the part of readers. The fact that the protagonist has an ex-lover in France—and the fact that she’s making an accusation that could easily be cleared up with a paternity test—aren’t believably career-ruining stakes, despite what the characters say. Logan and Alyssa’s relationship is also put on hold for the majority of the novel; indeed, another couple receives a more satisfying denouement than the main characters do.
An ambitious effort, but one that lacks verisimilitude.Pub Date: July 12, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-983331-25-1
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Time Tunnel Media
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Anyone who believes in true love or is simply willing to accept it as the premise of a winding tale will find this debut an...
True love flares between two people, but they find that circumstances always impede it.
On a winter day in London, Laurie spots Jack from her bus home and he sparks a feeling in her so deep that she spends the next year searching for him. Her roommate and best friend, Sarah, is the perfect wing-woman but ultimately—and unknowingly—ends the search by finding Jack and falling for him herself. Laurie’s hasty decision not to tell Sarah is the second painful missed opportunity (after not getting off the bus), but Sarah’s happiness is so important to Laurie that she dedicates ample energy into retraining her heart not to love Jack. Laurie is misguided, but her effort and loyalty spring from a true heart, and she considers her project mostly successful. Perhaps she would have total success, but the fact of the matter is that Jack feels the same deep connection to Laurie. His reasons for not acting on them are less admirable: He likes Sarah and she’s the total package; why would he give that up just because every time he and Laurie have enough time together (and just enough alcohol) they nearly fall into each other’s arms? Laurie finally begins to move on, creating a mostly satisfying life for herself, whereas Jack’s inability to be genuine tortures him and turns him into an ever bigger jerk. Patriarchy—it hurts men, too! There’s no question where the book is going, but the pacing is just right, the tone warm, and the characters sympathetic, even when making dumb decisions.
Anyone who believes in true love or is simply willing to accept it as the premise of a winding tale will find this debut an emotional, satisfying read.Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-525-57468-2
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2018
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BOOK REVIEW
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Dated sermonizing on career versus motherhood, and conflict driven by characters’ willed helplessness, sap this tale of...
Lifelong, conflicted friendship of two women is the premise of Hannah’s maudlin latest (Magic Hour, 2006, etc.), again set in Washington State.
Tallulah “Tully” Hart, father unknown, is the daughter of a hippie, Cloud, who makes only intermittent appearances in her life. Tully takes refuge with the family of her “best friend forever,” Kate Mularkey, who compares herself unfavorably with Tully, in regards to looks and charisma. In college, “TullyandKate” pledge the same sorority and major in communications. Tully has a life goal for them both: They will become network TV anchorwomen. Tully lands an internship at KCPO-TV in Seattle and finagles a producing job for Kate. Kate no longer wishes to follow Tully into broadcasting and is more drawn to fiction writing, but she hesitates to tell her overbearing friend. Meanwhile a love triangle blooms at KCPO: Hard-bitten, irresistibly handsome, former war correspondent Johnny is clearly smitten with Tully. Expecting rejection, Kate keeps her infatuation with Johnny secret. When Tully lands a reporting job with a Today-like show, her career shifts into hyperdrive. Johnny and Kate had started an affair once Tully moved to Manhattan, and when Kate gets pregnant with daughter Marah, they marry. Kate is content as a stay-at-home mom, but frets about being Johnny’s second choice and about her unrealized writing ambitions. Tully becomes Seattle’s answer to Oprah. She hires Johnny, which spells riches for him and Kate. But Kate’s buttons are fully depressed by pitched battles over slutwear and curfews with teenaged Marah, who idolizes her godmother Tully. In an improbable twist, Tully invites Kate and Marah to resolve their differences on her show, only to blindside Kate by accusing her, on live TV, of overprotecting Marah. The BFFs are sundered. Tully’s latest attempt to salvage Cloud fails: The incorrigible, now geriatric hippie absconds once more. Just as Kate develops a spine, she’s given some devastating news. Will the friends reconcile before it’s too late?
Dated sermonizing on career versus motherhood, and conflict driven by characters’ willed helplessness, sap this tale of poignancy.Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-312-36408-3
Page Count: 496
Publisher: St. Martin's
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2007
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