Friday, April 22, 2016

Letting Go by Molly McAdams

Grey and Ben fell in love at thirteen and believed they’d be together forever. But three days before their wedding, the twenty-year-old groom-to-be suddenly died from an unknown heart condition, destroying his would-be-bride’s world. If it hadn’t been for their best friend, Jagger, Grey never would have made it through those last two years to graduation. He’s the only one who understands her pain, the only one who knows what it’s like to force yourself to keep moving when your dreams are shattered. Jagger swears he’ll always be there for her, but no one has ever been able to hold on to him. He’s not the kind of guy to settle down.

It’s true that no one has ever been able to keep Jagger—because he’s only ever belonged to Grey. While everyone else worries over Grey’s fragility, he’s the only one who sees her strength. Yet as much as he wants Grey, he knows her heart will always be with Ben. Still they can’t deny the heat that is growing between them—a passion that soon becomes too hot to handle. But admitting their feelings for each other means they’ve got to face the past. Is being together what Ben would have wanted . . . or a betrayal of his memory that will eventually destroy them both?


REVIEW:
From the opening pages, I knew I as going to have trouble liking this book, but I had some hope. As I continued reading however, that hope was lost. I have to say, I did think that McAdams did justice to the overwhelming feelings of loss involved with the death of a loved one; that part of the novel rang true. Unfortunately, most of the rest of it did not. To me, all of these folks were way too young for their single-minded devotion to getting married and living happily ever after. The way that Grey gushed about her love made me think she had a lot of growing up to do, while Jagger on the other hand seemed remarkably (and unrealistically) mature about her ongoing feelings of guilt about their relationship. The stalker was an unnecessary added element- it was also clear from the get-go exactly who it was. And the whole sub-plot about Jagger's mother? I find it unrealistic that folks who have been so close for so long had absolutely no idea she was an evil manipulative monster. I think this book tried to do too much and so had no real substance to the story. Sadly, a disappointing read.