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Release date: April 30, 2019

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

From the outside looking in, Lauren Delaney has a life to envy—a successful career, a solid marriage to a prominent surgeon and two beautiful daughters who are off to good colleges. But on her twenty-fourth wedding anniversary Lauren makes a decision that will change everything.

Lauren won’t pretend things are perfect anymore. She defies the controlling husband who has privately mistreated her throughout their marriage and files for divorce. And as she starts her new life, she meets a kindred spirit—a man who is also struggling with the decision to end his unhappy marriage.

But Lauren’s husband wants his “perfect” life back and his actions are shocking. Facing an uncertain future, Lauren discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had as she fights for the love and happiness she deserves. 

Review:

I just love Carr’s style, something about it almost soothes me even if she’s writing about some heavy stuff. I think it’s because she strikes the perfect balance between dark and light, and also due to the fact that her characterization is always on point and she has me invested in the people in her books before I’ve finished the first chapter. Whatever it may be, she’s damn good and I always know when I start one of her books that I’m about to begin an emotional journey alongside some memorable characters.

Lauren is just the type of character I’ve come to expect from a RC novel, she’s extremely likable and it was very easy for me to sympathize with her almost instantly. Right at the beginning of the book she’s preparing to leave her abusive husband after over twenty years of marriage and you just can’t help but feel for the poor woman. Initially I thought this would only be about her personal journey in starting over and while it definitely was, it was also so much more than that. She finds love again and that was developed in a really realistic and authentic way, but what surprised me the most was actually how many surprises the plot took. It was really unexpected for me, most WF novels follow a somewhat predictable path but this one was really different and I just love that!

Highly recommended for fans of the author, her trademark warmth and charm is heavily apparent but I think this is also my favorite of her books so far, so if you haven’t read her before this is a great place to start!

The View from Alameda Island in three words: Genuine, Warm and Charming

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.