Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Life You've Imagined

Another book review for TLC Book Tours, and Trish who is awesome times a million.

So today I am going to review Kristina Riggles book, The Life You've Imagined, which is set for release in September. And I'm going to tell you right now that I want you to read it. Because I am your lambwhore/goatslut leader and I say so.

This story follows the lives of four women, Amy (the previously fat high school girl engaged to one of the son's of a prominent family in town), Anna (the Chicago based high powered lawyer who's come home because she was put on a bereavement leave due to the loss of her mentor only to encounter her first love, who is not-so-happily married with a daughter), Maeve (Anna's mom who runs a run-down liquor store slated for demolition but who is also chasing the ghost of her husband and Anna's father who abandoned them 20 years earlier), and Cami (who's come back home after being dumped from her boyfriend because of her compulsive gambling habit- and she's forced to live with her alcoholic father). All four women are in the town of Haven and are Cami, Anna, and Amy were previously friends when they were younger.

What I love about this story is that it's real. All four characters have their own storyline and the author jumps from character to character perfectly. You can relate to all four characters without a problem and you are rooting for them. I read this book in two days because I really couldn't put it down.

All of the characters are driven by the sentiment that every decision that you make should push you towards the life that you have always imagined for yourself. It might require a tough decision, it might require that you give up temporary happiness but it ultimately should be worth it in the end.

Will Maeve really meet up with her estranged husband? Will Anna forgive her father for leaving and her mother for pining over him all of these years later? Does Anna rekindle her relationship with Will, her first love, despite him being married? Does Cami ever stand up to her father and learn to overcome her gambling addiction? Will Amy decide to marry her fiance.....or will she leave him and take up with a new found friend, Ed?

I obviously know all of the answers to these questions, but it keeps you intrigued and you are constantly racing to the next chapter to see what is going to happen. I highly recommend this book and I am pretty excited to delve into Ms. Riggles other books. And I'm going to say that I related to each of these characters in different ways and it made me think about those in my life that are very much like these characters a little differently. It's always nice when you can gain a perspective that you otherwise might not have had.

But with that.....would you like to read this? Leave a comment on THIS post and one lucky reader will get my copy of this book. I will draw a name on Saturday- so hurry up!

12 comments:

GoofyGirl said...

I can honestly say that I have never read a book review that made me feel compelled to read the book... till now. My next day off is not until Saturday, but I will be hittin' the local book store to see if they have a copy. (uh... unless you wanna send me yours... just sayin'...)

-Gillian

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a interesting read, I have been looking for a good book to read and will be getting the Lies My Mother Never Told Me book you reviewed earlier in the week. Hope your migraine went away ~

Susan
fairydust825@hotmail.com

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Sara! I must be the winner! This book sound so good. And you know I need yet ANOTHER book to pack up ;-)

E said...

sounds like a really good book. Even if I don't get this copy, I will definitely pick up my own in Sept.

Lauren said...

What a great review! And the cover of the book is perfect. I cant wait to read this book, whether I win your copy, or get one of my own

Kristina said...

Oh, this is a terrific review and lovely comments. Thank you. I'm honored!

Kristina Riggle

Julie H said...

Sounds like a great book I need something else to read :)

Anonymous said...

Great review and sounds like a good book. Makes me want to branch out from my normal genre to pick this up.

Shannon
sheshamarie@gmail.com

Jandy xx said...

this book sounds great! Ive finally had a few spare minutes, so i decided to use it checking out what Ive missed over here! Congrats on all the author love youve been getting, you rock! hope everything is going awesome for you hun, i've missed you! (damn this stupid work stuff inturrupting my blogging!)♥♥ xx

Lady Grey said...

I really enjoy books that interweave family stories, and I particularly enjoy stories where women play a leading role in these stories... Even if I don't win a copy of the book, I will definitely read this, your review gives me enough to know I want to....

Unknown said...

Okay i have been on reading for knowledge binge lately and this book sounds like just what I need for a "calfon take me away evening"........so Lambwhore leader.....send me the damn book. Jk-love ya!

Heather J. @ TLC Books said...

I love the idea of this book - it sounds like it would work well for a book club discussion too! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Thanks for being a part of the tour. :)

(no need to enter me)