The View from Alameda Island
By Robyn Carr
Release Date: May 1, 2019
Publisher: MIRA
standalone
Number of pages: 336
Kindle Edition
Source: ARC from Net Galley
Contemporary Fiction/Romance M/F
Rating: R
Read 4/21/19 to 4/23/19
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.
First, I’m not crazy about the description of this book. I feel that this story is just as much about Beau as it is about Lauren. And, frankly, I like Beau better. Lauren is great, but Beau is amazing! And his story is just as troubling and touching as Lauren’s.
I enjoyed the connection Lauren and Beau had from the start. I appreciate that they took things quite slow due to their circumstances. It was cute how they kept crossing paths accidentally. The friendship they forged over their similar circumstances was a lovely way to start their relationship.
I have always enjoyed this author and she has a certain way she tells her story that is as if someone is sitting with you having a cup of coffee telling you about their life. A lot of times this works in her books. In fact, the majority of the time it does. In this book it didn’t work as well as usual. I felt there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. There are some intense things that happen that elevate the narrative, but then it goes back to a bit too low key.
This is realistic and over the top by turns, but a wonderful story either way. I just wish I had felt a bit more of the emotion.
3 stars
** I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in my review are my own and given freely. **
All In Good Time 