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Book Review: The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch & Giveaway

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Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you could get glimpses into your future and know what was going to happen before it did? Well that’s exactly what happens to Tilly in Allison Winn Scotch’s newest novel The One That I Want and it ends up being quite the journey of self discovery for her. I’ve loved Allison’s previous two novels, The Department of Lost and Found (my review) and Time of My Life (my review) and The One That I Want is right up there with the rest. This is one talented author well worth the read!

Tilly has the world by the tail. She’s one happy lady – she’s got her job as a guidance counselor and she’s married to her high school sweetheart and they’re trying for a baby. She’s never left her small town of Westlake and has never had the urge to. So, of course she’s happy or……….is she? Tilly goes to the town fair and encounters an old school friend Ashley who tells fortunes now. Tilly thinks it’s craziness but sits down with Ashley. What Ashley ends up giving her is clarity. Clarity to see how the things in her life really are versus how she thinks she’s seeing them. What follows is a total upset to Tilly’s otherwise very quiet and ordered life that she’s been so comfortable with.

Tilly starts having visions – she gets this pain that starts in her toes and works its way up and then she just blacks out and sees things. She’s seeing things into the future and she’s none too happy with what she’s seeing. She sees her dad stumbling drunk out of a bar and he hasn’t had a drink in years and worse yet she has a vision of her husband packing up a uHaul. This can’t be good. This can’t be what will actually happen. Will it?

So of to see Ashley she goes but it gets her nowhere. She tells her to take back this so called gift of clarity that she’s given her but Ashley tells her it doesn’t work like that. That she didn’t actually give Tilly anything – just really opened her eyes to the reality of her world. Well Tilly doesn’t like the reality of her world anymore- her father has taken up drinking after being sober for years and her husband is leaving her – what could be good about the gift of clarity if it means all of this pain along with it?

I really liked Tilly as a character. A little naive about her life but hey, until everything went haywire on her, she really was happy. Since her mother died when Tilly was 17, she has spent her life taking care of her younger sisters, her father – really everyone. Tilly is one of those people who has a problem saying no so of course everyone is always coming to her for something. Yet that’s what makes her the caring and kind person she is with her students and the people in her life.

When her life starts unraveling though she starts to see a different Tilly. A Tilly that’s angry and starting to fight back at the unfairness of it all. I mean, come on, her husband told her he wasn’t coming home in an email. She’s mad. Yet at the same time she’s starting to see that maybe this ‘perfect life’ she thought she had wasn’t so perfect. Now she’s seeing the signs that all wasn’t well and she’s also starting to realize that she can have a good life without her husband. What she originally thought defined her she begins to realize really didn’t. There was much more to Tilly Farmer than she would have believed and she’s going to dig deeper to find that woman.

The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch is a great story. It really makes you think about what you would do if this happened to you. I don’t think I’d want to see the future unless I knew for sure I could change it for the better. This book also leaves you wondering what if you had done things differently when you were younger – maybe took the road less traveled and seen where it would go. Does playing it safe really bring you all the things you want in life or keep you from heartache? I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes…

‘…the years are long and the road is winding and that dreams float out there to be captured, but only if you’re brave enough to reach up and grasp them.’ (pg 252)

I read The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can check out all the other tour stops for Allison’s book here and be sure to pop into Allison’s website as well. The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch released June 1, 2010 and you can buy your very own copy here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Courtesy of the publisher Shaye Areheart Books, I have 1 copy of The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch to share with my readers. To enter…

  • Just leave me a comment with a way to contact you. No email, no entry.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Good luck everyone!

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Comments

  2. The covers of this author's books are so pretty. This sounds like a great read Dar; looking forward to it.

    bibliophilebythesea AR gmail DOT com

  4. I've been reading nothing but good reviews of this so thanks for the chance
    msboatgal at aol.com

  6. I really liked Time Of My Life and look forward to reading The One That I Want. Nice review, Dar!

    meah56 at gmail dot com

  7. Nice review.
    I am with you, I would not like to see my future, ok in a way. If I was really rich and happy, with a huge library 😉

  8. Hey Darlene,

    I would like to enter this giveaway.. the review by Jen as well as you have been really good for this book… but I agree with you… I wouldn't want to be able to see my future… that would make living in the present quite miserable…

    archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com

  9. Nice review! Sounds like a good one and I really like the cover too.

    acabrams[at]gmail[dot]com

  11. This sounds like a really interesting book, and one that I would probably like a lot. Please do enter me in your giveaway. I'd love a chance to win it!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  12. Thanks for the review I would love to win this giveaway.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  13. Oh yea, yea, yea! I just ordered "Time of My Life" It is in the mail on the way to me as I type. So I would love this book too!

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  14. Wonderful review Dar! I just got my copy for review a couple of days ago and plan on reading it next. I loved Time of My Life so I'm definitely looking forward to this one. No need to include me in the giveaway.

    ♥Nely

  15. I've really wanted to read this one. Please count me in!

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

  23. I have this one on my wishlist so I'd love to win it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  24. 'Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you could get glimpses into your future and know what was going to happen before it did? '

    Oh if only I could do this at the moment, it might change my present state of mind.

  26. This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the review!

    jess
    barney's book blog
    jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com

  28. Thanks for the review, this one sounds so good.

    Lisa.2713 at gmail dot com

  29. don't enter me Dar because I'm going to be reading this one soon for my TLC date! Just wanted to pop in and skim your thoughts real quick!

  32. yet another book review that makes me want to read yet another book!

    courtney (at) kindasassy (dot) com

  33. I read Time of My Life and enjoyed it, so I'd love to read this also.

    jen at delux dot com

  36. It does bring up and interesting idea – not sure if I want to know the future.

    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

  42. I agree with Diane that the cover is lovely. =] I like the synopsis.

    ihappydance at gmail dott com

  43. I would really like to read this one and not just because I love the cover but I do!
    theroundfile at live dot com

  44. I have never read a novel by this author but I would like to it sounds like she tells a very good story.

    Please enter me in your giveaway.

    copperpenny12(at)hotmail(dot)com

  46. I can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the great giveaway.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  47. Good to see you online again! Don't enter me; I'm just here to let you know I've got this up at Win a Book.

  48. Hi Dar, no need to enter me for the giveaway but thought I'd let you know that I've been coveting this book! 🙂

  49. I'd really love to read this – thanks for the chance. It looks good.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  53. Allison is one of my favorite authors. Toss my name in the drawing.

    luann (at) gpcom (dot) net

    Thanks!

  55. I don't think I'd want to see the future either. I'm glad you enjoyed this since I hope to read it soon. No need to enter me.

  58. Great review! Like you, I wouldn't want to see the future unless I had the power to change it for the better.

    Thanks so much for being on the tour, Dar!! We greatly appreciate it.

  64. I LOVE this cover, and the book sounds great too. 🙂 THanks for the giveaway!

    shhhimreding at hotmail dot com

  65. I have often thought about whether or not I would want special powers like seeing into the future. This book sounds so fascinating…
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  66. Ooo, this sounds really good. Count me in, please! :0)

    Thanks!
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  67. I haven’t read any of this author’s books, but your review sounds like a book that I would take pleasure in reading.

    Thanks you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

  68. I'm happy to read that you enjoyed this book, Dar. I'd like to read it as it sounds like it poses some interesting questions. Please enter me in your giveaway!

    Thank you!

    Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

  70. I'd love to be entered for this! Thanks for the giveaway. 😀

    Marie
    utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com

  72. I have heard great things about this book! Please enter me. Thanks,ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

  74. sounds like a great book! i don't know if i'd want to know the future – i think i'd be too scared!

    k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com

  76. I've not read any of Ms. Scotch's books and would love a chance to read this one. Great review Dar.

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

  78. Thanks for the giveaway – looks like an enjoyable read!
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com