Lily’s heart becomes confused from the attention of two men, one solid and reliable, and the other who begins to feel like her soulmate, wooing her with “flowery flirtatiousness.” She deals with sorrow that many of us can relate to. Even the popular act of flipping houses finds its way into the story. Paula’s storytelling transports us back to earlier years and then into the future with many twists and turns along the way. I found myself laughing, a bit tearful, and sighing throughout. The language is real as though I stepped into the scenes, living the events with Lily and her authentic supporting characters.
One sample of Paula’s writing that I’d like to highlight is “Sweet girls didn’t want to harbor ugly feelings. We wanted to be emotionally generous and forgiving. Loving and nurturing. We didn’t seek revenge. We boxed up those nasty feelings, wrapped up the box nice and snug in glittery paper, plopped a pretty bow on top, and stuffed that sucker far back in the mental storage room.”
How many sweet girls out there can share Lily’s contemplations? Can you feel her struggle with emotions she believes should be ignored?
And during a somber time in Lily’s life, Paula’s description is poignant and beautiful…
“…It was freezing in here. But suddenly the cold lifted, and I felt a swirl of warmth wrap around me like a hug. I closed my eyes and let the feeling envelop me. It was a soft blanket of comfort, and smelled like lemons, reminding me of Mom’s citrus scent. It was the closest I’d felt to her in a long time, and I sensed she was simply trying to reach out to me and provide a bit of calmness.” These lines brought forth loving memories of my mom who passed away over a decade ago.
And a sample of the passion: “But the feelings, oh God, the feelings – those were sharper than ever. How I’d drowned in a sea of bliss when he kissed my breath away with waves crashing at the edge of the world…”
The emotions grab you right off the page, and if it were feasible, I would have nestled into my comfy sofa with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, depending on the time of day, and read until the turn of the last page. But life has its way, so instead of resisting, I took my time and looked forward to each quiet moment when I would either laugh, cry, or cheer for Lily. When I reached the end, I felt good about Paula’s conclusion. Yet, as with any great book, melancholy sank in because I had finished! So, I encourage you to grab your cup of tea or coffee, or to pour your glass of wine, settle into your favorite chair, and immerse yourself into the world of Lily. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a compelling mystery and suspense, a good laugh, and just enough passion to entice.
5 glowing stars!
© Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites – All rights reserved.
Photo: pixabay
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 