Coming home to catch her husband with his face between the long, silky legs of another woman is the last thing Sofia expects—and on today of all days. But, after scratching an expletive into his Porsche and setting the cheating bastard’s clothes on fire, she cranks up her beloved Bruce and flees, vowing to never look back.
Finding solace in the peaceful beachside town of Bradley Beach, NJ, Sof is determined to start over. And, with the help of best friends, new acquaintances, a sexy neighbor, and the powerful songs of Springsteen, this may be the place where her wounds can heal. But, as if she hasn’t faced her share of life’s challenges, a final flurry of obstacles awaits.
In order to head courageously toward the future, Sofia must first let go of her past, find freedom, and mend her broken soul. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)
While I’m not a huge Springsteen fan, I’m a huge fan of this novel. From the get go, the reader is projected into a horrific situation that immediately clings in all the painful places. It’s enough to set anyone off. Yet there are layers to the pain Sofia feels, and we begin to discover a little bit at a time where she’s coming from, and why she still feels an attachment to her husband, even with the way he treats her. So much of it stems from past tragedies, and Barbara Quinn showed us that in such an eloquent way.
Sofia is a beautifully flawed character. In her moments of vulnerable honesty are moments where I questioned how I would have handled a similar situation. It’s a constant three steps forward, two steps back- even after she thinks she’s taken the reigns of her life. I felt the same disgust she feels when she tries to say goodbye to her husband, but I also felt the love, too, when she remembers what it was like when there were happier times. More layers. More depth to really paint a realistic look at what can happen when a marriage begins to crumble.
In her newfound friendships and in the neighbor next door, we begin to see growth and change. While Springsteen’s words of wisdom are a backdrop, filling Sofia with inspiration and strength at various times, essentially it’s the allowance of letting others in that makes all the difference. Those steps aren’t easy, either, particularly with the neighbor. I wanted to see where this potential relationship would or could go, but as with most everything for Sofia, it’s a work in progress, one she’s not even sure she wants to dive into.
There’s fear in starting over, in leaving the past behind. In many respects, Sofia showcases that the fear is a normal reaction to change. I couldn’t help but feel inspired by her story. I was also attracted to the premise of an older woman who is starting her life over, considering so many stories of earth-shattering events focus on the younger crowd. I could better relate and identify with that struggle. This was a deep story of forgiveness, love, and friendship, three scenarios worthy of five stars!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Barnes & Noble * Waterstones
Her travels have taken her to forty-seven states and five continents where she’s encountered fascinating settings and inspiring people that populate her work.
Her many past jobs include lawyer, record shop owner, reporter, process server, lingerie sales clerk, waitress, and postal worker. She’s a native New Yorker with roots in the Bronx, Long Island, and Westchester. She currently resides with her husband in Bradley Beach, NJ and Holmes Beach, FL. She enjoys spending time with her son and his family and planning her next adventure. She wants to remind everyone that when you meet her, SHE’S NOT SHOUTING, SHE’S ITALIAN.
Visit Barbara online:
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads
1 comment:
I like that this focuses on an older character.
Post a Comment