Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Book Review: The Making of Us

By Sara Steven

Two people are about to take off on a journey that could change their whole lives… As the plane surges up into the clouds, Stevie finds herself clutching the hand of the stranger sitting in the seat next to her.

It is a moment that will change everything. But Ned is heading to see his dying mother, and Stevie is returning to France to escape a terrible loss in her past. Neither of them can think about that tiny flame that just flickered between them.

But then their paths keep crossing, leading them both to the same beautiful community garden in a small French village; run by a mysterious old man named Zeke – a man with many of his own secrets.

As it becomes clear that fate is going to keep bringing them together – the two of them have to ask – are they ready for a happy-ever-after? Do they even know how to find it?

As the seeds grow into plants and flowers all around them, Stevie begins to wonder if Zeke – and his garden – might just have the answers… (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

If there is one word that I could use to describe The Making of Us, it’s life. There is a lot of focus on the importance of life; appreciating the tiny little nuances that we often take for granted. At times struggling to accept the choices and decisions we’ve made that often change the course of our lives. For every character within this story, they are at a crossroads within their own lives, trying to figure it out and navigate what’s in front of them, the best they can.

At the center is Stevie and Ned, two people who meet by chance, even though neither of them believe in anything that is serendipitous. As their story unfolds, we discover that Stevie has been where Ned is going to be, becoming a much-needed support. Ned has a difficult time with showing any emotion or expressing how he really feels, while Stevie is unsure of whether she has the allowance to feel the way she does. It made for an interesting connection. 

Another chance encounter brings Zeke into Stevie’s life, or is it the other way around? Zeke provides a simplistic viewpoint that helps to temper Stevie, and when out-of-towner Fay is looking for respite from the uncertainties of her life, Zeke becomes a grounded realist, helping Fay in making some really important decisions that could potentially change the path for her going forward. 

Sometimes the primary characters become part of each other’s worlds, all connected in ways that none of them can see or even understand, and it was done so beautifully. The reflective moments that they all have at one time or another really helped to buoy me, especially because I’m feeling a little bit wayward with some situations I have going on–it was nice to gain some perspective on things. I could see a little bit of myself within everyone! The love, the loss, feeling stuck, feeling hopeful. Wanting to try to find ways to live life to the fullest, and reminding myself that it’s not so bad to take it all a day at a time, in order to fully appreciate what I have, even when it can be tough to reflect on that. The Making of Us was an inspirational, touching experience; a definite five-star read!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.


Debbie Howells
is a Sunday Times bestseller, who is now fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction with Boldwood. She has previously worked as cabin crew, a flying instructor, and a wedding florist! Now living in the countryside with her partner and Bean the rescued cat, Debbie spends her time writing.



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