Lead Changes

 

RENEE ROJAS

Edition read: Pdf, independently published 2023.

How acquired: Discovery

First line: Her mother always said that she could ride before she could walk.

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: The premise of the story is what drew my interest. Kelsie is divorced from a man who is cruel and very controlling. She’s made a life for herself and her son, Ryan, but her ex still uses fear and intimidation to try and control her, constantly threatening to take her son away from her, despite not bothering to exercise his visitation rights. Her best friend convinces her to take a vacation at a dude ranch, where she meets Chance, and begins to find herself again.

At times the writing, and more specifically the dialogue, felt a bit stiff and formal. The characters rarely use contractions when talking, which often disrupted the flow. I think that some authors feel that not using contractions gives a more literary illusion, but most people do not, or I guess I should say don’t, speak that way, and to me it makes the characters a little less relatable. If they were high society or it was an historical time it might feel more natural, but for everyday people in contemporary fiction it can sound awkward.

Regardless, Kelsie is an interesting and likable character. Throughout the book the reader is given glimpses of what her life was like with Tim, as he seemed to love and cherish her until they were actually married, and then skillfully chipped away at her self-confidence, isolating her from her friends and family, making her dread doing anything to anger him and eager to please him and keep him happy. I can’t speak to the authenticity of her character as an abused wife, having never been in her shoes, but she felt real, and her reactions to Tim’s actions felt realistic.

Chance was nice enough, though there didn’t really seem to be much actual chemistry between them. And for some readers, that may not really matter. My reading leans mostly towards romance, and I tend to look for it even in other genres. But while I would have liked for Chance to be more involved, ultimately this is Kelsie’s story, and the focus was rightfully on her and her journey to letting go of her ex, chasing her own dreams, and learning to be happy.

I’m not sure if this is the author’s debut, but she has crafted a nicely plotted story and despite my criticism above, shows promise.

*received a free ARC from the author via Discovery*

Goodreads Synopsis:

Trapped in an abusive marriage, Kelsie Harris had been forced to trade her dreams of professional barrel racing for a life filled with fear and intimidation. Even after her husband files for divorce, the continual chokehold that he has on her and their ten year old son doesn't fade.

But, when Kelsie wins a week long stay at a dude ranch in central Arizona in a raffle, she not only fears stepping out of her comfort zone, but also her ex-husband's wrath for disobeying his demands.

Afraid of trusting others, she has built a wall around her heart that she deems unbreakable. But, as she gets to know Chance Masters, her trail boss for her week at the ranch, she begins to question her belief that all men are cruel and abusive like her ex-husband

In just seven days, Kelsie not only finds her true self again, but is also reconnected with her love for horses. Most of all, however, she becomes faced with an opportunity to love again, and must decide if it is worth pushing her fears aside and take a chance.

This Charming Man

MARIAN KEYES

Synopsis from Goodreads: Ireland's debonair politician Paddy de Courcy -- the "John F. Kennedy Jr. of Dublin" -- has captured tabloid headlines and the imagination of his country with his charm and charisma. But the crushed hearts he's left behind him reveal more about his character than his winning, vote-getting smile. Lola, Grace, Marnie, and Alicia have all suffered from his selfishness and cruelty. But with Paddy's political star ascending, the time is finally ripe for redemption...and perhaps a bit of revenge.

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Avon, 2010.

How acquired: Received from another Bookcrossing member.

My thoughts:  Between chapters were little snippets of narration describing a domestic abuse scene, but without providing any names, and each one filled me with a sense of dread and foreboding, wondering which of the women whose stories are contained in the book was the woman being abused.

Four women, all with some connection to golden boy politician Paddy de Courcy. The narration switches around between the women's viewpoints. We start with Lola, whose connection is obvious – she was romantically involved with him until she learned, via the news, that he was engaged to Alicia. While I liked Lola's story, I did not like her narration. Told in first person POV, diary format, it put me in mind of Bridget Jones, but not in a good way. Short, choppy sentences, not only in her narrative, but even when she is quoting conversations. I know the characters did not actually speak the way she depicted it, but at times it was agonizing to read.

“What you like to do?” he asked. “You hungry?”

“No, not really. Is a bit early.”

There was a scene in Buffy the Vampire Slayer when a certain beer was turning frat boys into Neanderthals, and Buffy got drunk with them, and they all grunted and talked like cave men. And after awhile in my head I was picturing Lola and her friends as grunting Neanderthal cavemen people.

Lola mentions a journalist, Grace, who keeps calling her, wanting to interview her about Paddy's surprise engagement. And Grace is who we meet next. Her chapters are also told in first person POV, but not diary style, and I very much enjoyed her story. There are hints of a connection to Paddy but we don't know what that connection is. Grace has a live in boyfriend, Damien, who I very much liked.

Then we meet Marnie, Grace's twin sister. Her chapters are told in third person point of view. Marnie is a mystery. Depressed, withdrawn, she seems to be just existing without really living. Marnie's story is the most unpredictable. You think you know where she's coming from, what's going on with her, and then you learn something that changes that thinking. I felt sorry for her, while slightly despising her for being weak and malleable.

We also get a bit of time with Alicia, but compared to the other girls her sections make up maybe ten percent of the book.

Ms. Keyes definitely does a great job of creating characters who stand out from each other, with their own distinct personalities. I've heard her described as a chick lit author, and while she does fit that category somewhat, she also touches on serious subjects. In addition to the domestic abuse I mentioned earlier, we get alcoholism and a very touching storyline about cross-dressers. Throw in some revenge, heartbreaking confessions, a new love for one of the girls, and another's relationship almost being lost, and (once you make yourself barrel through Lola's frustrating narration style) this was an enjoyable and satisfying read.