Faithful
Author: Alice Hoffman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Year: 2016
Genre: Adult Fiction
Age: 18+
I received this book as a digital ARC from NetGalley in
exchange for an honest review.
Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors. The first book
I ever read by her was Practical Magic. I saw the movie as a kid, it was one of
my Mom’s favorites. Then growing up in high school I realized the book and the
movie were connected. They both give you a sense of hope and love. All of her
books make you feel this way and this book was no exception. Hoffman writes in
a very descriptive and real way that makes you feel like you are part of the
story. All of her books (that I’ve read so far) also follow the same basic
pattern. It always starts with a problem, either the sisters parents die, or
there is a terrible accident, something tragic and awful is plaguing the main
character. Then they go through a difficult and long struggle. This will be
years of ups and downs, good and bad. But there is always a happy ending usually
involving a guy, love, & fate. So here is a little bit about this newest
story…
It all started that night of the accident. Shelby Richmond
and her best friend Helene Boyd were out having fun when the car hits a patch
of ice. Now every February little luminaries line that stretch of Route 110 in
her honor. Helene will never wake up & she will never laugh of smile again
because she is in a coma. Shelby was driving and now she suffers from survivor’s
guilt.
After a three month stint in a mental hospital then two
years of hiding in her parent’s basement Shelby is finally taking a step in the
right direction. She’s moving to New York City with her drug dealer, future pharmacist
boyfriend Ben Mink. He’s helped her since she returned from the hospital and he
could be the one, maybe.
Shelby spends the next almost decade living in a tiny studio
apartment with three dogs that she rescues from the streets. Ben is in and out
of the picture along with a few other guys but none of them really know how
Shelby feels. The only person that really understands is her angel. He was
there the night of the crash, and he continues to send her postcards with inspirational
messages on them.
Shelby is finally going down the right path after years of ups
and downs including a few jobs, going back to school, two deaths, & some
questionable moral acts. But before she can change her future she must forgive
the past.
Likes: I LOVE Alice Hoffman as an author! She has a writing
style that is unique and beautiful. I am never disappointed by her books.
The storyline in all of Hoffman’s books is basically the
same but she does throw in a few twists along the way.
Shelby’s struggle is very real & believable. There are
some genuine moments of shock & sadness along the way & it makes for a
great story overall. At the end you are left with a feeling of love & hope!
Dislikes: The only part of
this book I disliked was the rape. It happens early and ends quickly but it
haunts Shelby the rest of the story.
Rating:
No comments:
Post a Comment