Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson is my first book, well technically my second by Joshilyn Jackson as I listened to the prequel to this novel called My Own Miraculous and it was awesome especially with Jackson narrating it herself. What I will say is how crazy am I to have waited this long to read the work of this amazing writer! Someone Else’s Love Story is a mix of love, destiny, and of learning who you are and what you ultimately want from life.
Shandi makes the decision to move to her father’s condo in Atlanta and finish up college and her father has promised the best schools for her son Nathan – nicknamed Natty. Natty is three years old and he’s a genius. She’s excited at the prospect of a new future until, on the way there, she and Natty find themselves in a store during a robbery. Also in the store is one of the most amazing men Shandi has ever seen who ends up getting shot in the process of trying to protect everyone. Shandi is already imagining a future with William and when he’s laid out on the floor and whispers destiny to her she’s hooked…but did this destiny involve her or someone else?
The one thing the robbery did for Shandi was make her realize that she had to stop being weak and face her own life head on. She still has so many questions about the night Natty was conceived. She tries to take charge of William’s care but his best friend Paula keeps shoving her away, telling her that William could never love her. On the flip side her best friend Walcott has started to act strange. They have been best friends for forever and it’s not like him to be so angry and discouraging of her friendship with William. As we all know though things are never as they seem and that most certainly fits for all these characters. There are a number of things going on in the background of everyone’s lives and it’s just a matter of time before it all explodes in one big emotional heap.
There were a few characters in this novel that I absolutely adored with the first being Natty. Hearing his little three year old self say adult things was the cutest thing and I just felt this need to protect this little guy myself. The men in this novel, both Walcott and William, were awesome. Walcott is the poetry spouting type while William is the big strong man, yet each is attractive in his own way. I liked Shandi but she grated on my nerves a bit although I very much admired that even at a young age she protected her son with everything she had. Then there was Paula, Williams’s best friend who just made me laugh.
Someone Else’s Love Story is full of great characters and a story that really made me think about love stories. It doesn’t have to be a man/woman type of love. There are many others … parent/child, furbabies/parents, the relationship we may have with God and likely many more. It also makes us think about whether love is just destiny or does it all boil down to some scientific explanation? For me, I don’t think so. I still like to believe in destiny and miracles. Someone Else’s Love Story is a great pick for book clubs and for anyone else looking for a charming, heart felt story that has some unexpected twists in it!
Other tour stops with TLC Book Tours
Joshilyn’s website, Facebook, and Twitter
A She Reads Book Club Selection for November
Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.
Loved your review, Dar. I’m going to use and Audible credit for this one!
Oh Mary, I so wish I could have listened to this one. Enjoy! Can’t wait to hear how you like it.
This was a good one (not my fav Jackson novel though), but I was really happy with the ending.
Diane I definitely need to read more of her books or listen to them. I liked the ending on this one too.
I love Joshilyn Jackson. Have read everything by her. I can’t wait to read this one.
Wendy, be sure to read My Own Miraculous first. It’s a prequel and quite good too. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
I loved this book too! I’ve met Jackson several times and I think her voice really comes through in this book.
Kathy, she has a great voice for narrating. As usual I’m envious of all the authors you get to meet…
You’ve sold me, Darlene! I didn’t realize there was a prequel. Good to know.
Wendy (lit feline), yes the prequel is just short but really does lead well into this book.
Great review, it does sound good to me
Linda, it is really good.
Sounds thought provoking. I am definitely looking out for this one. Nice review.
Harvee
Book Dilettante
Harvey, it is a really good book. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
Great review! I really need to read something by this author, and soon! 😉
Yes Anna, you do need to read something of Jackson’s. Lol. I was the same as you and hadn’t read anything and now I’d love the time to go back and read all of hers.
I loved Natty and William too! And in general the characters were really fleshed out in this story. Great review 🙂
I’m probably the only blogger in the world who has yet to discover Joshilyn Jackson, but I will definitely read/listen in 2014!
This sounds really good, and just from your review I want to meet the characters.
I haven’t read anything by Joshilyn Jackson but this might be the book to start with. I enjoyed your positive review, Darlene.
I’ve been seeing this book everywhere and it’s getting quite the buzz. After reading your review I want to read it!
I’m glad you enjoyed reading this book so much. It’s sounds wonderful. After reading your review, I cannot wait for the opportunity to read this book. I actually haven’t read any of Joshilyn Jackson’s books, yet …very sad, right? But, on the other hand, I have a small list of terrific books waiting to keep me company on a snowed in weekend….I better buy them soon!
There ARE so many kinds of love stories … I’m glad this book reminds readers of that. Thanks for being on the tour!
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this one so much. I’m a huge fan of this author but haven’t had the chance to read this one yet. My favorite that I’ve read by her is Gods in Alabama (you should definitely read it) but I’ve enjoyed all of the books of hers that I have read. Great review!
Sounds really good! I’m glad you told Wendy to read My Own Miraculous first, because now I know to do that too!
Sounds wonderful. I wonder if they’ll have it on Overdrive. Thanks for sharing!