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Etched in Shadows
For 39-year-old Johnelle Morrissey, the American Dream is a successful career in medical technology, a stately home in historic Charleston, SC, and happy times with the people she loves most—her husband Dwight, their teenage son Ian and her oldest friend Alice Choate. That dream shatters on a routine business trip when her plane goes down shortly after takeoff, leaving her with only clouded memories of her former life.
Devastated by the tragedy, Alice teams with the family to help Johnelle recover. For hours on end they talk about their lives, reminiscing on the moments that formed their friendship over the years, with Alice guarding her most closely held secret—that she’s been in love with Johnelle for as long as she can remember.
Johnelle begins pulling the memories together, eventually recalling the significant events of her life—the college years, her wedding and the joys of raising her son. What she can’t remember are feelings of love for Dwight. As her physical injuries heal, the depressing return to her marriage is more than she can bear…especially since her heart wants Alice.
Devastated by the tragedy, Alice teams with the family to help Johnelle recover. For hours on end they talk about their lives, reminiscing on the moments that formed their friendship over the years, with Alice guarding her most closely held secret—that she’s been in love with Johnelle for as long as she can remember.
Johnelle begins pulling the memories together, eventually recalling the significant events of her life—the college years, her wedding and the joys of raising her son. What she can’t remember are feelings of love for Dwight. As her physical injuries heal, the depressing return to her marriage is more than she can bear…especially since her heart wants Alice.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2013
12 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
K.G. MacGregor
37 books331 followersA former teacher and market research consultant, KG MacGregor holds a PhD in journalism and mass communication. Infatuation with Xena: Warrior Princess fanfiction prompted her to try her own hand at storytelling in 2002. In 2005, she signed with Bella Books, which published the Goldie Award finalist Just This Once. Her sixth Bella novel, Out of Love, won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Women's Romance, and the 2008 Goldie Award in Lesbian Romance. In 2009, she picked up Goldies for Without Warning (Contemporary Romance) and Secrets So Deep (Romantic Suspense).
Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.
KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.
Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.
KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 30, 2014
For me, the best thing about this book was the friendship between Johnelle and Alice. Their deep emotional bond transcended marriage. Even if it was entirely platonic, their love for each other was very evident. I love that Alice stayed in Johnelle's life even after she knew she could never have her. It seems to be more reflective of real life than what we normally read in lesfic--the usual trope that if she can't have the love of her life, then she should stay as far away as possible. It shows that women can have meaningful relationships that are just as emotionally satisfying as marriages and raising families. But of course, this being lesfic, Johnelle gets to have her cake and eat it too. :)
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
January 15, 2014
The main premise of Etched in Shadows hits a bit too close to home for this reader,minus the plane crash. Those of us who conformed to society's expectations do and don't regret the choices we have made in our lives.
My only beef with the book is the age old need to come up with unique names for the characters. Johnelle?! Dorky name. Annoyed me every time I read the name.
My only beef with the book is the age old need to come up with unique names for the characters. Johnelle?! Dorky name. Annoyed me every time I read the name.
July 17, 2016
A very good and interesting book.
May 3, 2020
A well-written and interesting book. Fictional and yet wouldn’t surprise me if some of us are living the live so aptly portrayed, sans the plane crash...
December 24, 2018
This is one of those books that combine several tropes, like 'lesbian who, long ago, fell for her straight best friend and now her heart is blocked from finding another', and 'married woman, late in her relationship, suddenly realizes she doesn't have feelings for her husband but does for another woman,' and 'cannot communicate affection for the other as that'd ruin the perfect relationship we have even though it's driving me insane not to be able to be 'with her' (generally a thought felt by both parties; at least there isn't the added trope that sometimes goes with this one - 'we didn't communicate our love as we didn't want to ruin the friendship, but it was too hard to be near each other, so we didn't see each other for 30 years and . . . oh, we actually liked each other back then? oopsie' <- hate that trope, which, again, isn't here). There are several twists in the book that make some of these less desirable to be read by me tropes easier to read.
Like the part where ..... my brain died and I couldn't figure out how to continue this review.
Right. So. 'Straight woman', Johnelle Morrissey, gets into a plane crash moments after her plane took off. She then goes into a coma for a while. When she awakens, the person who was by her side while she was unconscious, whispering how Johnelle is loved and stuff, is there. There's something of a happy reunion, though Johnelle can't really talk or communicate much yet. That person who was there is/was Alice Choate - long-time (since both were miniture little humans). Recovery advances. Johnelle likes when Alice is there. Then . . . some man comes in and Johnelle is instantly made uncomfortable and wants him gone, but can't exactly really convey that - I mean, it is her husband Dwight (his cologne is bothering something in her now rearranged brain).
Eventually other people close to Johnelle enter the picture and her memory advances in recovery, she goes into physical rehab, etc etc, and every time her husband is near, she gets anxious, and eventually almost dies because of it. Stress isn't good for her at the moment, and her husband stresses her out. Mostly (mostly?) because the wiring connecting 'love' and 'Dwight' appear to have been cut, heck, the other emotions also appear to have damaged wiring - as she puts it in the book - it's like Dwight is in another room in the house (the house in her brain?), but the floor collapsed in between where she is standing and the room Dwight is in - and she just can't reach him. She's aware that he exists, but . . . the emotional connection is gone.
My mention of 'other people' up above was supposed to lead me to note that she still has emotional connections to people, like her son, and to Alice, just not to Dwight.
Somewhere along the way, Johnelle realizes that her feelings for Alice go beyond 'mere' friendship, but does not know how to convey this, and/or if she should. Life-long friend (ruined by open communication?), her brain is messed up (are these feelings real?), and there's this medication that her doctors want her to start to take that can potentially help 're-wire' her brain (she shouldn't say anything, right, the medicine might take away these feelings - then the friendship/marriage/everything would be ruined for feelings that were not real).
Right, so, Johnelle spends the book coming to terms with just who she is and what her emotional state actually is; Alice helps, but keeps a larger distance from Johnelle than she wants (Alice still loves her more than she should; she's married! to Dwight! she can't come in-between!); Dwight becomes an angry dick (though he had dick-ish tendencies before - like not wanting his wife to work; buying a house and surprising his wife with it, even though she can't stand the place); and parents are revealed to be vile, repungent, and evil - EVIL! (both mom and dad, though mom does some redeeming things along the way; and this evilness not referencing Alice's mom).
Rating: 4.35
December 24 2018
Like the part where ..... my brain died and I couldn't figure out how to continue this review.
Right. So. 'Straight woman', Johnelle Morrissey, gets into a plane crash moments after her plane took off. She then goes into a coma for a while. When she awakens, the person who was by her side while she was unconscious, whispering how Johnelle is loved and stuff, is there. There's something of a happy reunion, though Johnelle can't really talk or communicate much yet. That person who was there is/was Alice Choate - long-time (since both were miniture little humans). Recovery advances. Johnelle likes when Alice is there. Then . . . some man comes in and Johnelle is instantly made uncomfortable and wants him gone, but can't exactly really convey that - I mean, it is her husband Dwight (his cologne is bothering something in her now rearranged brain).
Eventually other people close to Johnelle enter the picture and her memory advances in recovery, she goes into physical rehab, etc etc, and every time her husband is near, she gets anxious, and eventually almost dies because of it. Stress isn't good for her at the moment, and her husband stresses her out. Mostly (mostly?) because the wiring connecting 'love' and 'Dwight' appear to have been cut, heck, the other emotions also appear to have damaged wiring - as she puts it in the book - it's like Dwight is in another room in the house (the house in her brain?), but the floor collapsed in between where she is standing and the room Dwight is in - and she just can't reach him. She's aware that he exists, but . . . the emotional connection is gone.
My mention of 'other people' up above was supposed to lead me to note that she still has emotional connections to people, like her son, and to Alice, just not to Dwight.
Somewhere along the way, Johnelle realizes that her feelings for Alice go beyond 'mere' friendship, but does not know how to convey this, and/or if she should. Life-long friend (ruined by open communication?), her brain is messed up (are these feelings real?), and there's this medication that her doctors want her to start to take that can potentially help 're-wire' her brain (she shouldn't say anything, right, the medicine might take away these feelings - then the friendship/marriage/everything would be ruined for feelings that were not real).
Right, so, Johnelle spends the book coming to terms with just who she is and what her emotional state actually is; Alice helps, but keeps a larger distance from Johnelle than she wants (Alice still loves her more than she should; she's married! to Dwight! she can't come in-between!); Dwight becomes an angry dick (though he had dick-ish tendencies before - like not wanting his wife to work; buying a house and surprising his wife with it, even though she can't stand the place); and parents are revealed to be vile, repungent, and evil - EVIL! (both mom and dad, though mom does some redeeming things along the way; and this evilness not referencing Alice's mom).
Rating: 4.35
December 24 2018
October 22, 2016
Etched in the shadows by KG MacGregor
This book shook me a little bit. I love KG MacGregor books but this one has left me thinking about it days after I've finished it.
The Story follows two strong southern woman. Alice owns a real Estate business that she runs with her Mother. She a lesbian and has been in love with her best friend Johnelle for all of her life. Johnelle seems to have the perfect life. She is married to her college sweetheart Dwight. They both seem to genuinely love one another and have a son Ian whom they both adore.
Part of Johnelle's is to travel to other Cities. On one such work trip her plane crashes and she sustains some brain injurys. One such side effect is her feelings for Dwight have changed and feelings for Alice that she has hidden so deep for most of her life have came to the surface.
Alice was the star of the book me. She's caring, honest, courageous, respectful but above all she knows how to love unconditionally with the no expectation of it being reciprocated! If I'm honest everything Alice is fits into the personality of my dream girl. My Mum would say she's nice to a fault... but she has her devil may care side which completes the dream.
I felt for Johnelle through her story but if I'm honest my heart went out more to Alice and Dwight. From the minute I understood what was happening my heart went out to Dwight. There is so many points throughout the book you can almost hear his heart breaking. He loves Johnelle so much. Don't get me wrong there are also instances I thought he was too controlling and condescending but generally felt like Dwight was a good guy.
The love between Alice and Johnelle is beautiful. It's not rushed (it's taken most of their lives to get it together) but when it does happen it's a beautiful love. Personally I think both women are courageous to choose there relationship over other characters feelings because for most of the book both Woman especially Alice put everyone else before them.
My only negative was that there is a little to much religion and church going for me but that's a personal thing.
I would definitely recommend this book but be prepared for a emotional ride.
4 stars
Quote of the book:
“We’ve done some crazy shit together over the years, but this one would totally take the cake. Hell, it would take the whole fucking bakery. Let’s just make sure we get it right. And no matter what happens, what you decide, I’m going to keep loving you like I always have.”
Check out my blog @ Les Rêveur
https://lesreveur.com/
This book shook me a little bit. I love KG MacGregor books but this one has left me thinking about it days after I've finished it.
The Story follows two strong southern woman. Alice owns a real Estate business that she runs with her Mother. She a lesbian and has been in love with her best friend Johnelle for all of her life. Johnelle seems to have the perfect life. She is married to her college sweetheart Dwight. They both seem to genuinely love one another and have a son Ian whom they both adore.
Part of Johnelle's is to travel to other Cities. On one such work trip her plane crashes and she sustains some brain injurys. One such side effect is her feelings for Dwight have changed and feelings for Alice that she has hidden so deep for most of her life have came to the surface.
Alice was the star of the book me. She's caring, honest, courageous, respectful but above all she knows how to love unconditionally with the no expectation of it being reciprocated! If I'm honest everything Alice is fits into the personality of my dream girl. My Mum would say she's nice to a fault... but she has her devil may care side which completes the dream.
I felt for Johnelle through her story but if I'm honest my heart went out more to Alice and Dwight. From the minute I understood what was happening my heart went out to Dwight. There is so many points throughout the book you can almost hear his heart breaking. He loves Johnelle so much. Don't get me wrong there are also instances I thought he was too controlling and condescending but generally felt like Dwight was a good guy.
The love between Alice and Johnelle is beautiful. It's not rushed (it's taken most of their lives to get it together) but when it does happen it's a beautiful love. Personally I think both women are courageous to choose there relationship over other characters feelings because for most of the book both Woman especially Alice put everyone else before them.
My only negative was that there is a little to much religion and church going for me but that's a personal thing.
I would definitely recommend this book but be prepared for a emotional ride.
4 stars
Quote of the book:
“We’ve done some crazy shit together over the years, but this one would totally take the cake. Hell, it would take the whole fucking bakery. Let’s just make sure we get it right. And no matter what happens, what you decide, I’m going to keep loving you like I always have.”
Check out my blog @ Les Rêveur
https://lesreveur.com/
February 26, 2016
With this author you always get a well written and pacy novel.
Why this isn't a 4 stars book in my opinion is the handling of the whole altered perception after the incident. Strange as it seems, I ended up having sympathy for husband!
Couldn't understand the whole way the he became an arse in the second half of the book. Wow, feel like I need to talk to the wife about this ;))
Why this isn't a 4 stars book in my opinion is the handling of the whole altered perception after the incident. Strange as it seems, I ended up having sympathy for husband!
Couldn't understand the whole way the he became an arse in the second half of the book. Wow, feel like I need to talk to the wife about this ;))
April 19, 2020
I loved this book, it was hard to put it down but sometimes it's good to sleep especially at 4am lol.
At first I loved all three MCs even the husband who wasn't turned into a cheater or a complete monster but I guess he catched up toward the end.
I liked how even when in the coma she could recognize the touch of Alice or her voice, their relation was well developed and it was beautifully done. Nellie had some hard times with coming to terms with her new condition but it was dealt with in a way made believable. I didn't particularly feel a tension or intense chemistry between Alice and Nellie but instead a deep and profound love between them which was a nice change from other books I've read.
Anyway, this was a great story and I recommend it
At first I loved all three MCs even the husband who wasn't turned into a cheater or a complete monster but I guess he catched up toward the end.
I liked how even when in the coma she could recognize the touch of Alice or her voice, their relation was well developed and it was beautifully done. Nellie had some hard times with coming to terms with her new condition but it was dealt with in a way made believable. I didn't particularly feel a tension or intense chemistry between Alice and Nellie but instead a deep and profound love between them which was a nice change from other books I've read.
Anyway, this was a great story and I recommend it
January 28, 2014
Who is Johnelle Morrissey? Is she the successful wife, mother and career woman who seems to have everything, including the most amazing lesbian BFF? Her life seems complete, she is happy, she has everything she worked and planned for.
But when her plane comes down shortly after takeoff she is left in a coma for weeks, while her husband, son and BFF Alice try to deal with the possibility of loosing her, or getting only a part of her back.
When she finally starts to come round Alice is there for her literally 24/7 until hubby Dwight can get back from a sales trip and son Ian from Italy. Alice is, as always, conscious of her ‘place’ in the family and, not wanting to overstep the mark, works hard to help Johnelle remember her husband and son as well as their long term friendship.
Johnelle and Alice have been best friends since 6th grade, inseparable and rock solid for each other. Alice knew early that she loved her friend, but she quickly realized Johnelle was 100% straight and vowed to always put her friendship first. So she wept on Johnelle’s wedding day but kept her pain to herself, living in the shadows of the happy family and being the perfect friend, the perfect aunt.
Alice knows she is the outsider. Tolerated by Johnelle’s parents and useful to her husband as both a substitute parent and reliable resource. But her dedication to her friend mean she is the one who continues to visit twice a day over weeks when the rest of the family go back to their lives, she is the one who talks to the comatose patient, and she is the one who is there when Johnelle wakes up.
As Johnelle emerges from the haze of jumbled memories and regains her self and her self will, a different woman emerges and the changes will impact all of them. Whether it is Alice’s presence, her words and tales or the near death experience, Johnelle no longer wants the status quo, and soon begins to realize she no longer wants her controlling husband to rule her life.
-------------
This is a romance with a twist. It certainly fits the “girl meets girl and baggage gets in the way” genre, and the “we had it then but life got in the way” genre, even the “lonely lesbian loves the hot straight girl” genre... but it turns them all on their heads.
Johnelle and Alice are strong characters, well drawn and developed. They, as well as Alice’s feisty mother Dessie, the bewildered ‘man of the house’ Dwight, the sensitive son Ian and homophobic father form a cast which will be recognized by most. They form the backdrop of many American novels and soaps. KG McGregor has coloured them in with love and affection, even for those with whom we have little sympathy.
The plot is simple, the recovery of a air crash victim from brain injury including hospitalization, rehabilitation and a gradual coming back into herself as her memories and emotions settle from the jumble caused by disorientation.
But on top of this KG has layered a controlling father and husband who think they have the right to manage Johnelle’s life. A friendship which supersedes even the best of BFF’s. And a gradual realization from Johnelle of why she made the choices which seemed like the only ones available. And even more important, the choices she now has the opportunity to make.
Excellent book, well written, well edited, thoroughly enjoyable read.
But when her plane comes down shortly after takeoff she is left in a coma for weeks, while her husband, son and BFF Alice try to deal with the possibility of loosing her, or getting only a part of her back.
When she finally starts to come round Alice is there for her literally 24/7 until hubby Dwight can get back from a sales trip and son Ian from Italy. Alice is, as always, conscious of her ‘place’ in the family and, not wanting to overstep the mark, works hard to help Johnelle remember her husband and son as well as their long term friendship.
Johnelle and Alice have been best friends since 6th grade, inseparable and rock solid for each other. Alice knew early that she loved her friend, but she quickly realized Johnelle was 100% straight and vowed to always put her friendship first. So she wept on Johnelle’s wedding day but kept her pain to herself, living in the shadows of the happy family and being the perfect friend, the perfect aunt.
Alice knows she is the outsider. Tolerated by Johnelle’s parents and useful to her husband as both a substitute parent and reliable resource. But her dedication to her friend mean she is the one who continues to visit twice a day over weeks when the rest of the family go back to their lives, she is the one who talks to the comatose patient, and she is the one who is there when Johnelle wakes up.
As Johnelle emerges from the haze of jumbled memories and regains her self and her self will, a different woman emerges and the changes will impact all of them. Whether it is Alice’s presence, her words and tales or the near death experience, Johnelle no longer wants the status quo, and soon begins to realize she no longer wants her controlling husband to rule her life.
-------------
This is a romance with a twist. It certainly fits the “girl meets girl and baggage gets in the way” genre, and the “we had it then but life got in the way” genre, even the “lonely lesbian loves the hot straight girl” genre... but it turns them all on their heads.
Johnelle and Alice are strong characters, well drawn and developed. They, as well as Alice’s feisty mother Dessie, the bewildered ‘man of the house’ Dwight, the sensitive son Ian and homophobic father form a cast which will be recognized by most. They form the backdrop of many American novels and soaps. KG McGregor has coloured them in with love and affection, even for those with whom we have little sympathy.
The plot is simple, the recovery of a air crash victim from brain injury including hospitalization, rehabilitation and a gradual coming back into herself as her memories and emotions settle from the jumble caused by disorientation.
But on top of this KG has layered a controlling father and husband who think they have the right to manage Johnelle’s life. A friendship which supersedes even the best of BFF’s. And a gradual realization from Johnelle of why she made the choices which seemed like the only ones available. And even more important, the choices she now has the opportunity to make.
Excellent book, well written, well edited, thoroughly enjoyable read.
July 19, 2016
Johnelle Morrissey appears to have the perfect life - a loving husband, a wonderful son, a supportive and fun best friend, and a great job that she enjoys. All of that literally comes crashing down when the plane she's on has engine failure. One of the three people to survive the crash, Johnelle suffers a traumatic brain injury that puts her memories and feelings at risk.
Alice Choate, Johnelle's best friend, has been in love with Johnelle for almost as long as she can remember, but she's stood by without revealing her feelings to Johnelle, wanting to do nothing that would jeopardize their friendship. As Alice attempts to help Johnelle put together the pieces of her former life, Johnelle finds that her love for her husband has seemingly disappeared, while her love for Alice has morphed into romantic feelings.
This is the first book that I've read by KG MacGregor, and it certainly won't be the last. The story felt very realistic to me, and the author really made Charleston come alive in the book, as well. The Circular Church, the street names, the neighborhoods, even the brief mention of the serial killer Lavinia Fisher - all of these things are real places and real history. First Calvary Baptist isn't a real place, but considering how it was portrayed in the book, that's a good thing. ;)
I also really liked the slow pacing of the story. It gives Johnelle a long time to recuperate from her injuries, both physical and mental, and to allow the relationship between Johnelle and Alice to develop well. A lot of romance books I read seem to suffer from the "instalove" phenomenon, but not this one; it takes Alice and Johnelle a long time to transition from friendship to relationship, and I really appreciated that. It definitely made the story feel much more realistic. Some might not appreciate the lack of "heat" in the book, but I think that it definitely fit the story and the characters (and there were a couple of sex scenes toward the end of the book).
I really liked the character of Ian, who was Johnelle's son. He seemed like a very realistic, very caring young man. Dwight (Johnelle's husband)...not so much. I could sort-of empathize with him at points, because his whole world was turned upside down with Johnelle's accident. But even at the beginning, he was hinting that he wanted Johnelle to give up her job, because he wanted her to be there when he was home (he traveled a lot for his own job).
The ending of the book wasn't tied up in a neat bow, and I actually quite liked that. There were a lot of loose ends that were still "loose". But real life often is a tangle of loose threads, and so I think that made the book feel even more realistic.
My only quibble with this book (and it's a small one) is that it really needed more commas, which would have made many sentences flow more smoothly.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are looking for a good f/f romance that has a slow build with a lot of realistic characters.
Alice Choate, Johnelle's best friend, has been in love with Johnelle for almost as long as she can remember, but she's stood by without revealing her feelings to Johnelle, wanting to do nothing that would jeopardize their friendship. As Alice attempts to help Johnelle put together the pieces of her former life, Johnelle finds that her love for her husband has seemingly disappeared, while her love for Alice has morphed into romantic feelings.
This is the first book that I've read by KG MacGregor, and it certainly won't be the last. The story felt very realistic to me, and the author really made Charleston come alive in the book, as well. The Circular Church, the street names, the neighborhoods, even the brief mention of the serial killer Lavinia Fisher - all of these things are real places and real history. First Calvary Baptist isn't a real place, but considering how it was portrayed in the book, that's a good thing. ;)
I also really liked the slow pacing of the story. It gives Johnelle a long time to recuperate from her injuries, both physical and mental, and to allow the relationship between Johnelle and Alice to develop well. A lot of romance books I read seem to suffer from the "instalove" phenomenon, but not this one; it takes Alice and Johnelle a long time to transition from friendship to relationship, and I really appreciated that. It definitely made the story feel much more realistic. Some might not appreciate the lack of "heat" in the book, but I think that it definitely fit the story and the characters (and there were a couple of sex scenes toward the end of the book).
I really liked the character of Ian, who was Johnelle's son. He seemed like a very realistic, very caring young man. Dwight (Johnelle's husband)...not so much. I could sort-of empathize with him at points, because his whole world was turned upside down with Johnelle's accident. But even at the beginning, he was hinting that he wanted Johnelle to give up her job, because he wanted her to be there when he was home (he traveled a lot for his own job).
The ending of the book wasn't tied up in a neat bow, and I actually quite liked that. There were a lot of loose ends that were still "loose". But real life often is a tangle of loose threads, and so I think that made the book feel even more realistic.
My only quibble with this book (and it's a small one) is that it really needed more commas, which would have made many sentences flow more smoothly.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who are looking for a good f/f romance that has a slow build with a lot of realistic characters.
April 21, 2014
Let me first say that the friendship between Johnelle and Alice is heartwarming. Everybody should be honored to have a friend like Alice.
The story really appealed to me.
And to about 50% of the book I thought this would be a five star book for me.
The first intimate moment between the leading lady's was described with a lot of passion and tenderness.
This moment was really a highlight.
I would have liked to read more of such intimate moments and romantic dialogues. Especially because the characters had so much potential.
The first book I read by this author was Sumter Point for me this book was much more to my taste.
I will keep reading more books by K.G. MacGregor because I believe there are more books she wrote that will appeal to me.
3.5 stars
The story really appealed to me.
And to about 50% of the book I thought this would be a five star book for me.
The first intimate moment between the leading lady's was described with a lot of passion and tenderness.
This moment was really a highlight.
I would have liked to read more of such intimate moments and romantic dialogues. Especially because the characters had so much potential.
The first book I read by this author was Sumter Point for me this book was much more to my taste.
I will keep reading more books by K.G. MacGregor because I believe there are more books she wrote that will appeal to me.
3.5 stars
December 18, 2014
Sweet story about long term friends finally finding each other. I think Johnelle and Alice are realistic characters, and what they've gone through (probably minus the crash) mirrors something that even normal people would gone through. The friendship between the two is beautifully written, and I do think that the bond in friendship can sometimes just be as deep.
September 7, 2016
I very much liked this one. I'm still debating if I'll write a full review but I really liked it.
May 22, 2020
This is, at its heart, a book about friendship between two women who take different paths in life but remain friends for 30 years. Alice harbors that secret love for Jonelle but keeps it well undercover as Jonelle spends 20 years in a marriage to Dwight. A plane crash triggers changes in the stable world of two families in a southern town where Bible Belt mentality holds sway and different lifestyles trigger bad behavior. I like KG Macgregor’s writing and character development. I feel like I have met these two women somewhere in my life. This is a really good read.
February 14, 2015
I kept thinking Alice was a doormat. Then I understood that maybe for Dwight she was just a tool, but for Johnelle she was everything. Even if Johnelle lost herself in the dreamworld everyone wanted her to live in.
Goes to show, sometimes all you need is a good smack in the head to see things clearly.
Goes to show, sometimes all you need is a good smack in the head to see things clearly.
January 12, 2014
It's a good written book, for some reason it didn't grab me that much.
I never really got into the characters, not sure why.
It was an enjoyable read, but my favorite KG book.
I never really got into the characters, not sure why.
It was an enjoyable read, but my favorite KG book.
March 31, 2015
one of the best stories I've read this year. for sure book that it is very hard to put down. loved it !!!
January 16, 2018
MacGregor's work is very hit or miss for me. I loved Rhapsody and Just This Once, but Trail by Fury and Etched in Shadows were lukewarm at best. My problem with this book was that I empathized with Dwight instead of Alice. I do not know why MacGregor thought it would be a good idea for Johnelle to be married. At the time of the accident, Johnelle and Dwight had been married happily for 19 years. Dwight was not a perfect husband (who is), but they were both devoted to one another and in love. Johnelle having a life-threatening accident and amnesia is not enough to make me believe that she could lose her love for her husband. If I were Dwight, I would be absolutely heartbroken. I actually wanted Alice to leave Johnelle alone so that Johnelle and Dwight could work on their marriage without any distractions. I do not think that was the reaction MacGregor was aiming for. Unless there is abuse, I do not enjoy seeing marriages break down.
March 21, 2023
I've just finished Etched in Shadows by KG MacGregor, and I am simply wallowing in the afterglow of this book. ❤️
It has rocketed onto my list of absolute favorites.
The characters are so immediately and fully realized and deeply engaging, you feel as if they could step off the page at any moment. The dialogue is superb and insanely realistic, and the evolving conflict is perfectly balanced with the reality of what's happening to everyone involved.
It’s one of those books that strolls around in your mind well after you’re done, gifting you over and over.
I simply adored the way the characters conversed…it was so real and effortless. You could literally feel the years of their lives together.
But the relationship between Johnelle and Alice...I have no words that adequately convey how these two women filled me with emotion.
So damn poignant and all encompassing.
I could not put this book down.
It has rocketed onto my list of absolute favorites.
The characters are so immediately and fully realized and deeply engaging, you feel as if they could step off the page at any moment. The dialogue is superb and insanely realistic, and the evolving conflict is perfectly balanced with the reality of what's happening to everyone involved.
It’s one of those books that strolls around in your mind well after you’re done, gifting you over and over.
I simply adored the way the characters conversed…it was so real and effortless. You could literally feel the years of their lives together.
But the relationship between Johnelle and Alice...I have no words that adequately convey how these two women filled me with emotion.
So damn poignant and all encompassing.
I could not put this book down.
July 2, 2019
El libro está bueno.
Me habría gustado más aún si no se hubiera intentado transformar al marido en "el malo de la película", supongo que para que sea más fácil aceptar el final de su historia y el comienzo del nuevo romance. Pero no todo es blanco y negro y no era necesario transformar a alguien en villano para que la historia de amor luzca mejor.
Me habría gustado más aún si no se hubiera intentado transformar al marido en "el malo de la película", supongo que para que sea más fácil aceptar el final de su historia y el comienzo del nuevo romance. Pero no todo es blanco y negro y no era necesario transformar a alguien en villano para que la historia de amor luzca mejor.
July 22, 2020
The friendship between the Alice/Johnelle was the best part about this book. The humour/teasing was fun to read.
Johnelle's bravery in accepting her health limitations post-trauma, fighting for her independence and admitting to her past failings as the story developed also made this a truly gratifying read.
Johnelle's bravery in accepting her health limitations post-trauma, fighting for her independence and admitting to her past failings as the story developed also made this a truly gratifying read.
June 5, 2022
I loved the premise of the book and the build up. Enjoyed reading it the entire Sunday afternoon, however for me it lacked a bit more "flair" when the MCs finally got together. It's a bit tempered, when I was looking for something more passionate. It was an ok read though, would have given a higher rating if I found that "flair" but that's just me.
May 25, 2019
Good story
This was a strong depiction of someone struggling with traumatic brain injuries and discovering she was in love with her best friend and not her husband. The characters were very well described.
This was a strong depiction of someone struggling with traumatic brain injuries and discovering she was in love with her best friend and not her husband. The characters were very well described.
January 4, 2020
1.5
Honestly, did we really need to paint the "sweet loving man", losing everything, desperate to keep hold of what he's always know, as the villain?
Honestly, did we really need to paint the "sweet loving man", losing everything, desperate to keep hold of what he's always know, as the villain?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
March 25, 2015
I normally really get into books by K G MacGregor, but I found this book was not to her normal calibre. At first I couldn't place what was different. The story line isn't far fetched and it flows reasonably well; on reflection I think there just isn't the same degree of attraction or yearning between the characters to keep you page turning and in suspense. Good read but disappointing compared to her other books.
November 17, 2016
Very good book.
This book is just good! Perfect characters, great story, wonderful setting, tons of emotion and a little sad too. McGRegor does a great job here. No one is the villain things just happen that can't be stopped. A great couple not in the same league as Lily and Anna or Judith and Carmen but still good. Speaking of Lily and Anna I would LOVE to hear from them again.
This book is just good! Perfect characters, great story, wonderful setting, tons of emotion and a little sad too. McGRegor does a great job here. No one is the villain things just happen that can't be stopped. A great couple not in the same league as Lily and Anna or Judith and Carmen but still good. Speaking of Lily and Anna I would LOVE to hear from them again.
April 22, 2014
couldn't put it down. had moments where it was slow but overall a good read
May 6, 2015
It's nice to know that after twenty years, they can still rekindle their love.
December 28, 2016
Lovely book!
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