What We Leave Behind: a woman must face her past and answer the question what could have been

What We Leave Behind by Rochelle Weinstein is the story of Jessica Parker as she faces life and emotional growth confronting the past and moving forward in her future. At sixteen, she is dealing with the loss of her father as well as the loss of her first love. After an intense summer romance, Jonas Levy, a twenty two year old medical student, has abruptly walked out of her life and Jessica is left with deep wounds. As she grows up and moves on, she eventually becomes a successful music supervisor in Los Angeles. After she marries Marty Tauber, a film producer, she finally seems to have it all until her marriage begins to unravel. When a secret from her past comes to light, Jessica finds herself in a storm of trauma and memories as she faces the past. Will she be able to find peace in order to salvage her marriage and save everything she loves? 

For a story that describes itself that “our lives are a sum total of the choices we make, which inevitably leaves us to wonder: what if?” To ask the question: would we go back and make a different choice if we could? To live what could have been? However, What We Leave Behind fell short. The story dragged with lots happening but it didn’t really add to the benefit of the story. For me, different reveals felt out of place and were more for shock value than an emotional impact. I didn’t care for the main character, Jessica and the events that she has to experience which made the book very hard to pick up and get into. Overall, I did not enjoy What We Leave Behind. I just wasn’t drawn into a story I expected to be an emotional exploration of what if and what could have been. I do not recommend What We Leave Behind. 

What We Leave Behind is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Beyond the Moonlit Sea: lies, secrets and confronting the past

Beyond the Moonlit Sea by Julianne MacLean is a story of one woman’s search for answers when her husband simply vanishes. Olivia Hamilton was living her dream. Her husband, Dean is a pilot who flies private planes for the rich and famous. But something goes wrong during his last flight. His plane vanishes over the Bermuda Triangle and Olivia’s wonderful life quickly falls apart. Melanie Brown is a particle physicist who is writing her dissertation on the Bermuda Triangle. When she begins to falter after the death of her mother, she is sent to see a therapist. She begins a forbidden affair with her therapist. A shocking discovery reveals a link between Olivia and Melanie and it casts doubt on Dean’s sudden disappearance. As Olivia looks into her connection with Melanie, she begins to question everything she knows about her late husband and their marriage. 

Secrets and our pasts often have a way to catch up with us when we least expect it. Books by Julianne MacLean promises to be an emotional roller coaster with twists, turns and jaw dropping reveals. Beyond the Moonlit Sea delivers on all points that will keep readers glued to the page. As the story opens and readers are introduced to Olivia and Melanie, the question hangs in the air: how are these women connected? A question you may think you have figured out but there is a surprise! I enjoyed Olivia’s character as she learns to move on with her life, building her new life and putting Dean in the past. I loved her strength and determination when she must confront the past and the life she remembered fondly. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I highly recommend Beyond the Moonlit Sea. 

Beyond the Moonlit Sea is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

In the Cards: sometimes you have to bet it all

In the Cards by Jamie Beck is a story of fate, coincidences and the strange turns our paths may take. Lindsey Hilliard is weeks away from her wedding when she learns of her fiancé's infidelity. Filled with self-doubt and confusion, she flees her charmed life in New York to hide out at a beach house in Malibu. She quickly learns that her sexy neighbor is Levi Hardy, the cocky man who humiliated her many years ago. Hardened by a grim past, Levi maintains a comfortable distance from everyone in order to conceal his secrets and protect his heart. But when a motorcycle collision leaves him critically wounded, he is forced to accept her assistance. Sparks are undeniable as the insecure Lindsey teaches the cynic Levi to have faith in others and he encourages her to find her voice and be heard. Does he dare allow his heart to hope that they have a future together? 

As I read In the Cards, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I didn’t feel a connection with Lindsey and Levi was a closed book. But I kept reading and I’m glad that I did. Lindsey and Levi are very complex characters with real hurts and real challenges that by the end of the story I felt a connection with them both. By the end, I understood Levi’s wall and Lindsey’s naivety. The secondary characters were great as antagonists and voices of reasons. The sparks that flew between them were as hot as any romance I’ve read. I cheered for them as their lives seem to be heading to be together. But would they? I eagerly turned each page, hoping that someone would say something to crack the wall between them. In the Cards is my first book by Ms. Beck and it will not be my last. I highly recommend In the Cards. 

In The Cards is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.