How To Walk Away – Katherine Center Book on CD performed by Thérèse Plummer 3.5***
There are many kinds of “happily ever after…”
Margaret Jacobsen has worked hard and is ready to step into a bright future, with a new dream job and an equally successful fiancé, but as the happiest day of her life unfolds, a horrific accident snatches it all away from her.
I’d read one book by Center previously and I wasn’t all that impressed. So, I wasn’t expecting much more than a contemporary romance with possibly “relevant issues” for today’s woman thrown in. I was pleasantly surprised that my expectations were exceeded.
Margaret’s journey is what kept me interested. Yes, I saw the plot points coming a mile off, but I still found myself enjoying the journey. She is faced with a situation that could be completely devastating. And there are times when she despairs. But she also summons all her strengths and her determination to succeed. And, although she sometimes goes the “pity party” route, there are other times, especially with the help of her sister, Kitty, when she finds some joy and even laughter. And ultimately, Margaret takes charge of her life in a way that is totally believable and had me cheering her on.
I still found several of the characters a little too stereotypical. Her fiancé was the typical “golden boy” who turns out to be a jerk. Margaret’s mother was a real piece of work, and I couldn’t stand her. While her long-suffering father was the perfect prince we all expect. Kitty’s role as a Bohemian rebel was rather over-the-top, but she seemed to be the chief catalyst to keep the plot moving.
Thérèse Plummer did a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She had a lot of characters to interpret and gave them sufficiently unique voices to differentiate them. My only quibble – and it’s a small one – is that while she does a great job of Ian’s Scottish brogue, Margaret and her family have no trace of Texas twang.
How To Walk Away – Katherine Center
Book on CD performed by Thérèse Plummer
3.5***
There are many kinds of “happily ever after…”
Margaret Jacobsen has worked hard and is ready to step into a bright future, with a new dream job and an equally successful fiancé, but as the happiest day of her life unfolds, a horrific accident snatches it all away from her.
I’d read one book by Center previously and I wasn’t all that impressed. So, I wasn’t expecting much more than a contemporary romance with possibly “relevant issues” for today’s woman thrown in. I was pleasantly surprised that my expectations were exceeded.
Margaret’s journey is what kept me interested. Yes, I saw the plot points coming a mile off, but I still found myself enjoying the journey. She is faced with a situation that could be completely devastating. And there are times when she despairs. But she also summons all her strengths and her determination to succeed. And, although she sometimes goes the “pity party” route, there are other times, especially with the help of her sister, Kitty, when she finds some joy and even laughter. And ultimately, Margaret takes charge of her life in a way that is totally believable and had me cheering her on.
I still found several of the characters a little too stereotypical. Her fiancé was the typical “golden boy” who turns out to be a jerk. Margaret’s mother was a real piece of work, and I couldn’t stand her. While her long-suffering father was the perfect prince we all expect. Kitty’s role as a Bohemian rebel was rather over-the-top, but she seemed to be the chief catalyst to keep the plot moving.
Thérèse Plummer did a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She had a lot of characters to interpret and gave them sufficiently unique voices to differentiate them. My only quibble – and it’s a small one – is that while she does a great job of Ian’s Scottish brogue, Margaret and her family have no trace of Texas twang.
My review HERE