(received e-book from NetGalley.com)
I was in search of a quick, easy read and I came across Just One Day by Sharla Lovelace. I began reading it not even knowing what to expect, honestly. It was actually pretty typical chick lit to start out. I thought I was going to predict the whole thing in the first chapter.
WRONG!
I really thought it was going to be a "woman coming into her own" type book. Maybe a mild love story. And like I said, I was wrong, in a way.
The book begins with Andie's "on paper" perfect boyfriend proposing to her by surprise. While it's a lovely proposal, there is something major missing from it. I felt that even just reading it the first time. Her boyfriend/fiancé/up-in-the-air, Brad, gives her just 24 hours to figure out if she wants to spend the rest of her life with him or not. Just one day (get it now?) to herself to think about it.
What does any sensible woman do if she is faced with the decision to accept a 4 karat diamond ring or not?? Look at old college photos of course! And reminisce about a one night stand she had on a graduation trip to a lake house. How does said sensible woman sort these thoughts out? Take a road trip in her bo... er, Brad's expensive BMW convertible to this lake from 20 years prior.
This is the point I thought she would head to the old lake house, meet a nice gentleman, realize there is more in life than shiny things, have the break up talk with Brad, and live blissfully ever after. Okay, I might just be a forever optimist.
Actually, she starts out on this path, yet gets slightly side tracked by the guidance of a wonderful older couple. The connection between her and Jarvis & May is obvious and consistent.
It's a very short book at only 107 pages, so I really don't want to go any further in to prevent spoiling anything for you. So, I will just jump into my overall opinion....
At only $2.99 on bn.com, you really cannot go wrong here. I genuinely thought that I was not going to like this book because the beginning is a little choppy. For example, it is all of a sudden thrown into the mix that Andie is a single mom in the middle of the book. Plus that her daughter is college aged. I honestly thought she was in her late 20's-early 30's at first. But once I got my facts straight and was getting into the story line, I was hooked. I just wanted to know how it ends. I had to keep reading. Lovelace creates a love story that is so well written that I actually felt a part of it. I don't say that lightly either. Just when you think you know how it will end, there's another speed bump in their story.
All in all I give this quick read a good recommendation for anyone who like chick lit (even just a little bit) and is looking for a great story to just let your mind absorb!!
Cheers!
K.B.
