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The Replacements: A Fractured Family Fairy Tale
Valerie wants her family back, but because she’s divorced from the alcoholic father of her three girls, it doesn't seem likely. Since his injury derailed his plans for the future, instead of turning to Valerie for comfort he turned towards alcohol and the local pub. Here he relives the glory days with friends who remember him as the all star quarterback and not the lame guy who walks with a limp. Valerie moves her girls away to shield them from his neglect and indifference, and falls in love with her neighbor. A lifelong bachelor who deliberately avoids any interested women, he makes an exception for Valerie and her girls. He’s willing to relocate when she loses her job and returns home. Her ex is now sober, a single dad to a little boy. Her boyfriend isn’t convinced her ex won’t make a play for her now he’s sober, and wonders if Valerie’s desire for a family will trump her love for him. She needs to resolve the hurt and pain of the past if she’s going to build a family where everyone has a seat at the table.
346 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 6, 2024
I just finished reading The Replacements by Cynthia A. King. I recommend that you keep an eye out for this everywhere you buy books!
**"The Replacements: A Fractured Family Fairy Tale"** by Cynthia A. King delves deeply into the intricate dynamics of family relationships and personal growth. Set in a small town where everyone knows each other, the story follows **Valerie**, who attends the funeral of her ex-mother-in-law. This event triggers a flood of memories and reflections on the bonds that were formed and broken over the years.
As Valerie navigates through her past, she confronts the challenges of forgiveness and redemption. The narrative explores how she deals with the complexities of her relationships, including those with her ex-husband and other family members. Through this emotional journey, Valerie learns that healing and happiness can be found in the most unexpected moments.
The novel highlights the importance of kindness, the power of creativity, and the joy of spending time with loved ones. It beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of a fractured family, making it an engaging read for those interested in stories about personal growth and family dynamics.
Valerie's journey is marked by moments of introspection and revelation. She grapples with the pain of past mistakes and the hope for a better future. The story emphasizes that forgiveness is not just about others but also about forgiving oneself. As Valerie reconnects with her family, she discovers the strength that comes from understanding and accepting each other's flaws.
The book also underscores the significance of creativity as a means of expression and healing. Valerie's interactions with her family members reveal the different ways people cope with loss and change. Through these interactions, the novel portrays the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.
**"The Replacements: A Fractured Family Fairy Tale"** by Cynthia A. King delves deeply into the intricate dynamics of family relationships and personal growth. Set in a small town where everyone knows each other, the story follows **Valerie**, who attends the funeral of her ex-mother-in-law. This event triggers a flood of memories and reflections on the bonds that were formed and broken over the years.
As Valerie navigates through her past, she confronts the challenges of forgiveness and redemption. The narrative explores how she deals with the complexities of her relationships, including those with her ex-husband and other family members. Through this emotional journey, Valerie learns that healing and happiness can be found in the most unexpected moments.
The novel highlights the importance of kindness, the power of creativity, and the joy of spending time with loved ones. It beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of a fractured family, making it an engaging read for those interested in stories about personal growth and family dynamics.
Valerie's journey is marked by moments of introspection and revelation. She grapples with the pain of past mistakes and the hope for a better future. The story emphasizes that forgiveness is not just about others but also about forgiving oneself. As Valerie reconnects with her family, she discovers the strength that comes from understanding and accepting each other's flaws.
The book also underscores the significance of creativity as a means of expression and healing. Valerie's interactions with her family members reveal the different ways people cope with loss and change. Through these interactions, the novel portrays the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.
September 16, 2024
More specifically, in "The Replacements" by Cynthia A. King, Valerie is a very realistic and well-developed character. She is intelligent, independent, and has an interest in literature and art, unlike the conventional high school female characters typical of the genre.
On the other hand, Greg starts to slowly learn that he cannot rely on his charm to attract the attention of Valerie, adding an interesting twist to the story.
Additionally, the author uses plain and simple text, which will be comprehensible to any person at any level of education. And I must say that she is actually strong in dialogue and very good at portraying teenagers’ actions.
The scene that raised my focus is when Greg seeks Valerie’s solace after his mother's demise out of loneliness. And all these times, she remains soft to him, although the pain that they have inflicted upon each other is enormous and makes him feel even more ashamed of how badly he’s treated her.
The front cover is plain but looks like the hands have made the cover with a pink background. The handprints could mean that people impact each other’s lives, staying with this idea of relationships and reverses.
The emotional build-up does not commence until over halfway through, and hence the pacing is more invigorating as the novel advances.
For audiences who prefer reading novels based on characters and relationships, this novel will be worth checking out. Nonetheless, readers interested in the story revolving around introverted youth will also find it helpful.
On the other hand, Greg starts to slowly learn that he cannot rely on his charm to attract the attention of Valerie, adding an interesting twist to the story.
Additionally, the author uses plain and simple text, which will be comprehensible to any person at any level of education. And I must say that she is actually strong in dialogue and very good at portraying teenagers’ actions.
The scene that raised my focus is when Greg seeks Valerie’s solace after his mother's demise out of loneliness. And all these times, she remains soft to him, although the pain that they have inflicted upon each other is enormous and makes him feel even more ashamed of how badly he’s treated her.
The front cover is plain but looks like the hands have made the cover with a pink background. The handprints could mean that people impact each other’s lives, staying with this idea of relationships and reverses.
The emotional build-up does not commence until over halfway through, and hence the pacing is more invigorating as the novel advances.
For audiences who prefer reading novels based on characters and relationships, this novel will be worth checking out. Nonetheless, readers interested in the story revolving around introverted youth will also find it helpful.
September 3, 2024
*The Replacements* by Cynthia A. King is a captivating story about Valerie, a mother and divorcee, who must decide between embracing new love or rekindling her past with high school lover and ex-husband, Greg. The novel takes readers back to their high school days, where Greg, a popular jock, uses every trick to win over Valerie, who is on the opposite end of the social spectrum. King masterfully conveys the emotions of her characters, making them relatable and the story engaging. The book is well-edited and hard to put down, offering a nostalgic and emotionally rich reading experience.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews