The Final Scene

by Steph Nelson

Brooke doesn’t remember her first day at the cabin, but she’ll never forget the day he grabbed her.

I love this opening line.

She could take on anything. Anything except him.

More like keeping tabs to create a cushion between herself and danger if necessary.

Isn't It sad --- how we have to be constantly on edge around men?

Just because he was a little unkempt and she’d never seen him on this bus before wasn’t any reason to be afraid. Even so, she turned her audiobook off to stay aware.

her nervous system screamed that a threat you can’t see is much worse than one you can keep eyes on.

It was as simple as a tug on her ponytail, a huge, warm hand covering her mouth, and then a pinch at the shoulder. The last thing she thought was, This is it. This is how I die. That was ten years ago.

costume

She plays the part of young Grace Hamilton, age nine. Never mind that she’s twenty-three.

At random, Grace shows up and inserts herself in the role of young Grace and interacts with Helen (Brooke) and whoever is the current Albert. When she’s here, mistakes and missteps can kill you.

“You look for reasons to keep us at arm’s length.” “People come and go here. I don’t like to get attached.” “Getting attached is the only reason for living. Especially here. Otherwise, why bother?”

Are Birkenstocks really back to haunt us from the nineties?

They never left..

some chick says,

Some of the writing is silly.

this chick says,

Again? Ugh

Derek’s eyes adjust a bit more and he sees that this angel of cool water is not a chick. She’s a little girl. But no, maybe not all that little, based on her looks. Not that he’s checking her out because, God, the last thing he needs right now is that, but underneath all that dress fabric, her tits are huge. Her waist is small, but she’s got pigtails. When his eyes focus better, he can tell she’s definitely not a child. And yet, she’s wearing kids’ clothes. Like she’s straight out of the fifties.

Ew. He's already gross.

Twinkies? Brooke didn’t even eat Twinkies. She didn’t like sweets at all. In fact, her mom had raised her on a healthy, whole food diet. She loved salads. Brooke looked down at her body, hating it for getting between her and her chances with Scott.

This paragraph feels like a man wrote it. I am shook it’s not.

Favorite stories are full of friends to visit when you have nobody else.

Damn, he’s gorgeous.

Noooooo girl.

pretty and thin,

Why is this author so obsesed with thin = pretty?

Derek has never felt fear in the presence of a woman.

Ummm good for you?

She makes a point to look at her fitness tracker and then jogs even though she’s not wearing a bra.

What is the point of mentionimg that?

Don’t be worried if I don’t text you back.

Oh, some famous last words.

How interesting it is that she stands up to him. That she’s not intimidated by him at all. All the other women in his life—including his own mom—responded by stifling their own personalities until he barely recognized them.

DEREK is the worst.

He’s just an intense dude, and it bugs him to no end that the people in his life—women and men, honestly—constantly misread him and assign him bad intentions. They don’t feel like they can be themselves around him.

No, you have anger issues and need help. (I hope the author stops tryin to make us feel for this awful character.

“It doesn’t sound like there’s any reason to believe they need a wellness check.” “She’s asking for help!” “It’s not enough, unfortunately.”

Uhhh this wouldn't happen.

“Well, here in Freeport, the department’s too small to send cops out willy-nilly every time someone snoops on a neighbor. If there’s a crime being committed, I’ll send

Still unbelievable --- especially if a "child" is involved.

911 just hung up on her. Is that even a thing?

I hate how the author knows how the reader wil feel, so she makes these comments.

“Yes, ma’am, I’m here. Blood you say?” This is a different dispatcher than the first time, and yet he’s just as inept. “Yes! Blood. Get someone over there to check on them.”

Is she calling from Her cell or a landline.....maybe be tapped into the landline.

This man is also a cop?

Ugh.

He had solved every case assigned to him.

Of course..

One thing’s for sure: Listening to him speak, seeing his vulnerability, it puts him in a different light. He’s a good man, big-hearted under all that machismo.

Rolling my eyes.....at her & the author.

the way her insides practically vibrate whenever they make physical contact. The warmth of his body next to hers is everything.

Over this "romance."

Tyson’s harsh reaction over her choice had made her angry enough back when it happened that she had picked an actual fight with him.

Now...trying to make us hate Tyson --- to root for Derek.

She thinks about how heavy she must be.

She doesn't seem like she would be this way still. Is the author trying to relate to fat people?

and once again, he’s holding her weight.

Whyyy

It takes her breath away to feel so light in his arms.

Again? --- as a fat person who loves fat/curvy rep this is just not hitting.

They look out the front window into a downpour of rain.

It was said it let up?

Darting behind the closest tree that’s girthy enough to hide her,

Unnecessary?

She’s heading toward the cabin,”

Fishy.....

Brooke smooths her hair and rubs her wrists. “Sorry,” Derek whispers, when he realizes he hurt her again. She ignores him and walks into Cody’s room.