The Reason Is You~ Book Review

Thinking about Thursday

Sharla Lovelace

      As I mentioned in the interview with Sharla last week,  I loved this book. Yes, Sharla is my friend and I respect her as a writer, but even if I hated her, I would still love this book.
 Here is a short synopsis for you:
 

Dani Shane just wants her daughter to have what she never did—a normal life.  But “normal” leaves the equation when sixteen-year old Riley is found talking to Dani’s only friend, Alex—who has been dead for forty years.

In the small river town of Bethany, Dani never fit in.  Being different pushed her to the fringes of society, and even leaving town for two decades didn’t stop the talk.  Now that she’s back, so is Alex.  Mischievous and sexy and still hot enough to melt her shoes.  Between his popping in at inopportune moments and her having to hide her daughter’s new talent, Dani fears that her plans for staying under the radar may be short-lived.

As Dani scrambles to get solid footing under her family, secrets buried for forty years begin to unearth themselves.  She and Alex have always been connected, but he is hiding something.  The computer is making her hear things.  Weird memories that she doesn’t recognize keep popping up in her mind.  Then there’s that little thing she hasn’t told her daughter yet—that some of the people she sees aren’t breathing.

The voice of the characters is what sucked me in. I felt an immediate connection to Dani and to her daughter. It was like reading about a family I already knew.

Dani is a frazzled, mom-trying-to-do-her-best, type character that any of us 30-40 somethings can identify with. She is flawed and honest, which makes you root for her without pitying her.

Riley is a quick-witted, sassy, teenager who doesn't come off as annoying or stereotypical. I love that her reactions to her situations are authentic and not glossed over.

And, Alex? Well, Alex is just flat hot... especially for a dead guy!

Psst, I'll let you in a little secret... There may or may not be another guy who is pretty steamy, too!

More than once I laughed aloud and more than once I teared up.

Sharla weaves the story in a way draws you in and makes you want to stay in Bethany. For the record, I read it mostly in one sitting. My kids had popcorn for dinner and my husband went to work the next day wearing mismatched socks because all I did was read.

Days later, I was still thinking about the characters. Now, that is a sign of a good book!

The Reason is You 

 releases April 3rd. 

You can connect with Sharla at www.sharlalovelace.com, as well as… Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads under ‘sharlalovelace’.