REVIEW: If You're Not The One by Jemma Forte

Title: If You’re Not The One
Author: Jemma Forte
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: June, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: What if you could do it all over again?

Jennifer Wright is pretty sure her husband doesn't love her anymore. She and Max used to be the perfect couple, but the pressures of work and kids have pulled them in opposite directions. Now, Jen is full of "what if" questions about whether her bland, suburban existence is all she was ever destined for.

When a terrible accident sends Jen into a coma, she is able to see what her life could have been if she had run off to Australia with the handsome, dangerous man she met on vacation, or if she had stayed with her workaholic college boyfriend. Would she ever have loved another child as much as she loves her daughters? Could she have become rich? More than anything, Jen wants to do the right thing for her family. But what she discovers may leave her with even more questions about the choices she made, and no easy answers about what to do next.

My Thoughts: With If You’re Not The One, new to me author, Jemma Forte, opens the door on the “what if” that we all have wondered in our lives. What if I had met him sooner? What if I had taken the bus that day? What if, what if, what if…

Our protagonist is a normal wife and mother of two young children facing this complex question after she is a bad accident and lying comatose in the hospital. She is able to revisit her past relationships to see what would have happened if she had chosen one of them instead of her husband, Max. And before you guess that she would have always chosen Max, give this book a look. I was actually hoping for a different outcome, but was so mesmerized with the way the story unfolded that I had to keep turning the page to find out what would happen next. Getting a bird’s-eye view into Jennifer’s life makes me appreciate that everything does happen for a reason, even if we are not cognizant of the reason. Sometimes not knowing is for the best. But for just a fleeting, brief moment, how exciting it would be to know what would have happened if….

I enjoyed how the plot flowed between the present and Jennifer’s past memories. She is aware of what is happening and knows the choice is up to her. She just has to choose to walk through that door. The storyline was easy to follow and kept me engaged throughout the entire story. The characters were easy to relate to and I felt a lot of empathy toward Jennifer. Her frustration is realistic, as well as her anger and fear. I admired the courage and strength she demonstrates to face the challenges in front of her.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story not only because it’s really good, but also because it is a story we all have gone through and can relate to. Jennifer’s journey shouldn’t be a new experience for any of us and it’s a good reminder to embrace our lives with joy and live our choices to the fullest extent of our capabilities.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of If You’re Not The One from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Competition by Marcia Clark

Title: The Competition (Rachel Knight #4)
Author: Marcia Clark
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Publication Date: July, 2014
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: In Marcia Clark's most electrifying thriller yet, Los Angeles DA Rachel Knight investigates a diabolical high school massacre.

A Columbine-style massacre at a high school in the San Fernando Valley has left a community shaken to its core. Two students are identified as the killers. Both are dead, believed to have committed a mutual suicide. But in the aftermath of the shooting, as LA Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight and Detective Bailey Keller dig deeper, they realize that the pieces don't add up. Could it be that the two "killers" were themselves victims? And if so, does that mean that the real killers are still on the loose? When someone starts dropping clues that another horrific crime is in the works, Rachel and Bailey scramble desperately to profile their suspect and prevent another killing--before it's too late.

My Thoughts: The fourth book of this very good series left me with a lot of questions…such as “will there be more in this series?” I enjoyed this intense and suspenseful story that brings Rachel and Bailey face to face with a killer, psychotic and diabolical while appearing innocent. The setting of a mass murder at a high school leaves charged emotions and intense fear for all of the characters in this story. I especially enjoyed how methodic Rachel and Bailey are in hunting down and following up on the clues amidst all of the chaos and confusion surrounding them. The clock is ticking and it’s only a matter of time before the killers strike again. How much time is the question, so every minute is precious.

The author does an excellent job of capturing the terror and horror of the situation as well as the emotions of all the characters on both sides of the investigation. The plot flowed smoothly and kept me intrigued all the way to the end. The characters are well written and easy to relate to and empathize with. I truly hope there will be more books in this series in the future as there are a lot of loose ends that haven’t been addressed.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy complex storylines and characters with multiple layers that are revealed as the reader gets to know them.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Competition from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.