Dissolution

by J.L. Campbell

Sherryn Allbright is the envy of her peers. She is a wife, mother, and successful business woman. Her life turns topsy-turvy when a woman leaves a child on her doorstep, claiming her husband is the father. Denial is useless, for the boy resembles Reece too closely not to be his offspring. Sherryn, who holds strong views on fidelity, believes her marriage is over. She blames Reece's predicament on his old neighborhood--a Kingston ghetto. If he'd sever ties there, he wouldn't be caught up in baby mother drama.Sherryn goes through a season of upheaval, which culminates in violence against Reece, and a separation. When a murder occurs, their lives will never be the same.

Genres: Fiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

J.L. Campbell is fascinated with Jamaican flora and has hundreds of photos in her collection. She writes contemporary and sweet romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, as well as new and young adult novels.

Campbell, who features Jamaican culture in her stories, has written over forty books. She is also a certified editor.

Feel free to join her mailing list for news and updates https://sendfox.com/lp/1rk5gx or connect with her on social media.

Reviews

[Tmstprc]

Skim read, readable but didn’t feel I could give a real review justice. It’s a me thing, I’m in a rut.

[--karen Green-berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I've read by this author and was pleasantly surprised.

The hallmark of a good novel is one that deals with real life issues that are relatable. This story deals with infidelity and all the complications that resulted.

Sherry Allbright thought she had a wonderful marriage with her husband Maurice aka Reese, until a woman showed up on her doorstep with her husband's child.

Reese strayed a few years earlier during a time when there was a problem in their marriage. His one night son led to him fathering a son and praying that his wife wouldn't find out.

The author has done a good job of building up the characters, so much that I felt as if I knew them. Even though the story dealt with serious issues, I found it to be hilarious as well, especially her friends and the children.

I really enjoyed the story and will definitely read more of her books.

[Elizabeth West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book! I love to learn new ideas from fiction, and this book really blew me away with the seamless integration of Jamaican culture. Love and betrayal is a universal theme, but it always surprises me how looking at the themes through the lens of a different culture challenges truths I hold on the subject. J.L. Campbell and I tackle answering a similar question of "how does a baby from another woman impact a relationship?" Her story's circumstances are slightly different from my own, but I will 100% be ecstatic to recommend her novel to my readers.

The characters in Dissolution are perfectly drawn, and you just want to reach in and give so many of them a hug and just tell them "You'll get through it." The emotional roller coaster lasts all the way to the end, and I'm thankful to have found out about this book!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!

This book held me captive to the end. Great writing! Great flow! I was involved, way too involved in this story.

Sherryn’s world was turned upside down when one day her doorbell rang and she found herself looking into the eyes of a child who was fathered by Reese, her wonderful husband …outside their marriage. Reese was remorseful but Sherryn didn’t care. He had no right going back to the “hood” that he came from. Will their marriage survive?

I have to admit I was taken by the child (Maurice, Jr) who had to go through so much at a tender age. I enjoyed the journey, feeling all that the characters went through. Of course, I did shed tears. Who wouldn’t? Well done, J.L. Campbell! Excellent work!

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm never disappointed by J.L. Campbell and her island flavor. This book snatched me from the first page. I was angry all the way up to the last page. I was like really? No way did that happen. Love and loyalty was tested, but that same love and loyalty prevailed. I couldn't have been Sharryn. I enjoyed how what started out as an absolute deal breaker, turned out a win-win for a child who needed saving from what could have been destruction of his future. Outstanding.

[Angela S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved!

I tell you this lady can tell a story. Maybe you think you know how things are going to turn out, she will throw in something to make you wonder. I always enjoy her stories and I love the messages she reveals. Nothing in her stories rings false. Her characters could be your neighbor s.

[Marie McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.L. Campbell is a master storyteller. Another book I couldn’t put down. She will cause you to cry, laugh or rejoice, but in this book I did all three. I especially cried for young Maurice and rejoiced that the family survived in one unit of which Maurice was a part.
A must read. Get your copy now.

[Georgiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dissolution

J.L Campbell thank you for taking back home. This is my first book of your and you have kept turning the pages, I read this books in one setting. This book is a must read. It takes you through some real life struggles.

[cheryl herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infidelity

Reece's 1 night of infidelity not only affected his marriage but it also affected his children including the child created during this 1 night of infidelity.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good read

[Lita Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dissolution by J.L. Campbell was gifted to me for an honest review. I have to say that this was a well told story. It was not about the sex but a story of two married people trying to survive the ultimate betrayal. Sherryn thought she had a very good marriage. Sherryn and Reece had their issues and problems but on the whole their marriage was strong but one day changes all that for them. A knock on the door brings Sherryn’s world crashing down around her. A lady is standing there with a little boy and informs her this is her husband’s child and she is leaving the boy with his father. Thrown for a loop Sherryn doesn’t know what to do but keeps her composure in front of the child and his gutter rat of a mother and takes the boy inside the house. She cannot deny the boy because he looks just like her husband and their 5 children. The story is set in Jamaica and the native dialect is used throughout the book. Sherryn struggles with the fact that her husband has not only cheated on her but has produced a child. Coming from the slums Reece has had a hard time reconciling his past with where he is now in his life a very successful business man. He has continued to have ties with his past and the area in which he lived. The fact that he continues to go there has been a constant source of contention between Reece and Sherryn and now with this boy in front of her her, fears have come true. Reece can’t remember the night with the mother because it was just one night and he was very drunk. Sherryn thinks the child was a result of an affair and has many questions. The journey to saving this marriage if possible is a long and hard one. The boy however has been neglected by his mother and ignored by his father. He is malnourished and has not been to school yet. The entire story of the marriage, the acceptance of the boy a constant reminder of her husband’s betrayal and acceptance of one’s own self takes the entire family on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. I really good well told story and the use of Patois was enjoyable as well. I give this story 5 stars

[Tina Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

JL Campbell’s “Dissolution” is a story that tugs at your heart from beginning to end. It’s very emotional and I can relate because I used to see it every day at my job as a Financial Support Worker Supervisor. Neglect of a child is a MF and a permanent sore that seems to never heal as long as the child is forced to continue to live in that situation. Damn, I cried, I laughed, and I was angry that a child had to endure the emotions of feeling that he was not capable of being loved. That’s the only spoiler that I will hit anyone who’s reading this review with because I really want you to read this story. I promise you that you will not regret the purchase or the knowledge that you will gain from this read. This book is centered on Sherryn Allbright life that her reactions to the situation that she is forced into as a result of her husband’s mistake; however, the story tells so much more.
We need more women like Sherryn Allbright in this world today, even though her actions upset me. But, as the story progressed and the reader truly got to know who Sherryn was as a person, and she eventually ended up in my favor. Maybe if we had more women like her what just happened in South Carolina a few weeks ago will begin to cease. You had to teach your children to love others, no matter what the circumstances and being example of what preach is very important to your children abiding to your sermon. Reece had some issues that he really couldn’t see even though he knew how detrimental his behavior and actions were to him. If I continue, I will start spoiling the story for those who haven’t had the chance to read it yet, and I can’t do that because this is a story that has to be read.
This is again, a great job of writing and character chemistry JL.

[Rose Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Campbell reached into my marrow and caused some serious pains in me that I had buried. This book ripped into my childhood sadness of abandonment, reminded me of how I was the cause of someone else’s pain due to an act of selfish infidelity and recapped me of the happiness that remains a part of my life now due to me having a forgiving, selfless spouse.

Sherryn Allbright is a great woman who gave love to a child created out of Reece’s affair. Campbell expressed what it is like to be the woman cheated on and how the wave of emotions just hits your mind like a typhoon when you are doing your best to forgive. That typhoon washes away any love that was once felt leaving muddy thoughts along with a sour hateful taste that spills out on others around you.
With Reece Campbell gave the flip-side that people sometimes forget; what it was like for the cheater. The act of deceitfulness gives a crystal clear view of how fragile marriage can be. One selfish move can pop that bubble that was protecting the life you once had.

Bravo to Campbell for reminding the reader not to take things for granted, whether it is with family or friends one must always stop and reevaluate what their action with bring to those around them.
Grab an iced glass of pineapple juice, get a box of tissue and get ready to fall in love with the Allbright family.

[Sarah Weathersby · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.L. Campbell writes of family entanglements and drama set in Jamaica. Sherryn Allbright is mother of five children with her husband Reece, in a marriage most of her friends would call perfect. Until a woman shows up at her house to drop off a small boy, and says that Reece is the boy's father. Sherryn's world is turned upside down in trying to hold on to her marriage, and trying to understand how this could happen to her family. There is no denying that the boy, "Maurice" is Reece's child, because he looks so much like his father as well as Sherryn's other children.

Sherryn takes the five-year-old boy in, and recognizes how neglected he has been, malnourished, dirty, with few clothes and no formal schooling, while Sherryn's children been in school from pre-school on up. While Sherryn tries do deal with her anger against her husband, she can't deny how her heart reaches out to the boy. She cleans him up, feeds him, and includes him in the family. But she keeps her husband at bay on a roller-coaster with her mood swings.

Maurice tugs at everybody's heart-strings, mine included. I enjoyed reading the Jamaican patios, as Sherryn consistently corrects Maurice's speech, helping him to use more standard English. And of course he stays with the family, but not without significant drama, including a murder.

[Karen]

This is my first read by J. L. Campbell, and it will not be my last. Drama in the Allbright family; Sherryn and Reece are married with children. A woman comes to the Allbright house to drop of a small boy that is the son of Reece. Sherryn does not turn the child away, she take him in, because the boy looks so much like her husband. Sherryn is hurt deeply, due to the fact that her husband cheated on her and produced a child. Sherryn notices that Maurice is dirty, neglected, and malnourished. Sherryn is so upset with her husband but she can’t mistreat Maurice. Maurice mother appears to reclaim her son, but Sherryn will not allow it. Reece threatens to harm her if she does not leave Maurice alone. Maurice starts to grow on everyone in the family and they began to love and welcome him into the family. Maurice mother is found unconscious in her apartment, the police questions Recce about his involvement. Awesome job with this book.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Campbell's work is always meticulously written, her dialogue flows naturally. This novel is far better than a great many I have read which are on the market with a lot more hype and by well-known writers.

What could do a marriage more harm than a harpy turning up on your doorstep with a child who she maintains is your husband's? And it's obvious from looking at the neglected frightened child, that she is telling the truth.

How Sherryn handles the situation, and Reece copes with the aftermath of his infidelity is the subject of this excellent novel. Sherryn and Reece's legal children and their interaction with little Maurice Jr is sensitively portrayed, as is Sherryn's anguish at her husband's betrayal.

This book is up to the high standard which Joy Campbell sets for herself. A fine writer who will be foremost in her field in a very short time :)

[Thelritta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Dissolution is the first title I have read by this author, and I found it to be very engaging and informative. The lead characters were put into painful situations where a clear head would definitely be needed. Reese cheated on his wife Sherryn with a spiteful hood rat, and produced a child. This story begins with the hood rat dropping off likkle Maurice at his home with his wife, who was in the dark about his existence. From there we get murder, beatings, more cheaters. This title is a great read and I finished it in one day, it grabs your attention and keeps it. I found myself talking to the characters and commenting out loud frequently. I loved it and highly recommend it to everyone.

[Kiera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by author JL Campbell, and I have to be honest. This book had so much island flavor, I felt as if I were sitting in the character's living room, listening to them converse. Ms. Campbell's writing is vivid, colorful, and realistic. This book had me laughing in a couple of spots, crying in others, and fighting mad. Even though it is fiction, it touches on a very real subject, infidelity. There is a message in this well-written story, and if I had to sum it up in two words, it would be forgiveness and compassion.

The story is easy to follow, and quickly engages the reader; you find yourself swiftly immersed in the book. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brokenness

Everything happens for a reason. Which has the ability to effect those you love. The story of Maurice and Sherryn is one we hear often. When infidelity enters a marriage how does one coup? You can either stay or leave? But at what price does one abandon their vows? Sherryn being a strong woman had to face a hard task, forgiveness. Coupled with knowing that her closest friends were undergoing similar orders, one has to ask is this normal. Fast with the evidence of Maurice infidelity, it's still mind boggling how Sherryn was able to see that not everything is black and white. Never to give an excuse but Dissolution shows the importance of open,honest communication.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great novel about love that endures in spite of evildoers and unforeseen circumstances. A novel about family and forgiveness.

The author has a wonderful way of developing characters that ate realistic and lovable. I rooted for them all as I came to know them better. There were some characters I didn't like but they also were realistic and well written.

You will enjoy the story, the suspense and the ending.

[Teresa Mcmillian]

What Would You Do?

Sherryn Allbright's life gets turned upside down when a woman shows up on her doorstep to dump her son with Sherryn's husband. Sherryn thought she had the perfect drama free life with her Reece and their five children. This changes everything. Sherryn takes the boy in despite the anguish it is causing her. This story takes you through so many emotions and keeps you intrigued from the first page. It is a wonderful read on love and forgiveness.

[Keysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything by this author, but it won't be my last. I loved how as a woman Sherryn did what she had to do for her family including loving a child that she didn't give birth to. This book made me feel every emotion possible. from my anger at Reece for not paying more attention to his child and how his mother treated him with neglect to not being man enough to admit his mistake in the beginning. To Being happy that it all worked out for the better in the end.

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way this story was written. I thought Sherryn dealt with the situation with Reece well. Her thoughts were well expressed & her actions were appropriate. Storyline held my interest. Very good story.

[Jeanne Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Joy's writing. I'm a big fan.