Yvonne L. reviewed on + 929 more book reviews
Last time we met Bethanne, she had reinvented herself after her husband walked out on her (and really their children as well because he shut them out) for a younger women. She had to learn to bring herself out of her husband's shadow and reinvent herself. Now six years later, her husband's second marriage has fail and he wants back.
The story kept me reading and I enjoyed it to a degree, but there were a lot of annoying things about it. Bethanne was one of my favorite characters. Unfortunately she was really frustrating in this book and I found myself being really disgusted with her. Where was Elise when you need her most to slap some sense and backbone into Bethanne? According to Bethanne she had changed a lot, was straightforward, and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself. Yet from the very first page on, she avoided confrontation, did what everything others wanted, and was so wishy-washy that I realized she was still that person who panicked at the idea of taking a knitting class. She lacked backbone not just when it came to Grant, but with everyone around her. She was the ultimate doormat. I don't think she starts to stand up for herself until about the last two pages the book and even then, it was pretty weak. I lost so much respect for her and by the end of the book I didn't like her very much at all.
Ruth's (ex-mother-in-law) story was sweet but it was hard for me to really like her because she kept passing judgement on Bethanne. I couldn't see how Bethanne would ever think this woman cared for her because it was obvious through most of this road trip she only cared what was good for her son, not what would make Bethanne happy. It would have been nice if Macomber tied some of Ruth's insistence on Grant's reconciliation with Bethanne to Ruth's own hope that Royce (the one she betrayed fifty years ago) would forgive her and reunite. But nope. Also the relationship with Royce and Ruth went so smoothly that it wasn't even worth the bother to include in this book.
Annie was a brat in the last book as well but then she had a reason. This one she hasn't grown at all and was still stuck at sixteen and I have no idea why. Again, she only wanted what was best for her not her mother's happiness. Really, I wondered several times why Bethanne didn't leave Annie and Ruth by the side of the road and join Max's gang. Trust me, I would have. Come on, hot motorcycle guy versus nagging judgmental crone and idiot-child wanting to run my life? Which one I pick should be a no-brainer. Anyway, Annie still acted like a four year old but there were some interesting stories/love interests introduced. Unfortunately Macomber decided not to continue with Annie. Her story just ends and was left undone. In fact Annie's story in this book was sloppy and seemed like a rough draft. Maybe Macomber just needed something to fill up the pages.
Despite it all, I did have a hard time putting the book down so it was engaging. I just wished I enjoy the characters more and that Macomber had spend more time developing Annie and Ruth's story. Sloppy writing and a few stolen ideas from other books (Pay it Forward / and of course rather Thelma and Louise) as well. It was a cool read if you have nothing else better and can borrow the book from somewhere. I wouldn't spend money or credits on it.
The story kept me reading and I enjoyed it to a degree, but there were a lot of annoying things about it. Bethanne was one of my favorite characters. Unfortunately she was really frustrating in this book and I found myself being really disgusted with her. Where was Elise when you need her most to slap some sense and backbone into Bethanne? According to Bethanne she had changed a lot, was straightforward, and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself. Yet from the very first page on, she avoided confrontation, did what everything others wanted, and was so wishy-washy that I realized she was still that person who panicked at the idea of taking a knitting class. She lacked backbone not just when it came to Grant, but with everyone around her. She was the ultimate doormat. I don't think she starts to stand up for herself until about the last two pages the book and even then, it was pretty weak. I lost so much respect for her and by the end of the book I didn't like her very much at all.
Ruth's (ex-mother-in-law) story was sweet but it was hard for me to really like her because she kept passing judgement on Bethanne. I couldn't see how Bethanne would ever think this woman cared for her because it was obvious through most of this road trip she only cared what was good for her son, not what would make Bethanne happy. It would have been nice if Macomber tied some of Ruth's insistence on Grant's reconciliation with Bethanne to Ruth's own hope that Royce (the one she betrayed fifty years ago) would forgive her and reunite. But nope. Also the relationship with Royce and Ruth went so smoothly that it wasn't even worth the bother to include in this book.
Annie was a brat in the last book as well but then she had a reason. This one she hasn't grown at all and was still stuck at sixteen and I have no idea why. Again, she only wanted what was best for her not her mother's happiness. Really, I wondered several times why Bethanne didn't leave Annie and Ruth by the side of the road and join Max's gang. Trust me, I would have. Come on, hot motorcycle guy versus nagging judgmental crone and idiot-child wanting to run my life? Which one I pick should be a no-brainer. Anyway, Annie still acted like a four year old but there were some interesting stories/love interests introduced. Unfortunately Macomber decided not to continue with Annie. Her story just ends and was left undone. In fact Annie's story in this book was sloppy and seemed like a rough draft. Maybe Macomber just needed something to fill up the pages.
Despite it all, I did have a hard time putting the book down so it was engaging. I just wished I enjoy the characters more and that Macomber had spend more time developing Annie and Ruth's story. Sloppy writing and a few stolen ideas from other books (Pay it Forward / and of course rather Thelma and Louise) as well. It was a cool read if you have nothing else better and can borrow the book from somewhere. I wouldn't spend money or credits on it.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
