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The Hand That Holds Mine
Adeline Beal, is a successful author who aspires to make all of her dreams come true. But when cancer takes hold of her and gives her little time left, she becomes determined to leave behind her best novel yet. Only when Adeline faces writers block and a money hungry husband, her past characters come alive to help her battle through her toughest moments and give her inspiration for a whole new world and a new love.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2012
5 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 21, 2013
I was actually surprised of how much i enjoyed this story.
The heroine is just so likable and through the whole book we just hope she will recover and do get the chance to make her dreams come true.
The heroine is just so likable and through the whole book we just hope she will recover and do get the chance to make her dreams come true.
April 16, 2020
A truly heartbreaking book about an author who is going through something. She has to make decisions on a daily basis and constantly have questions from others trying to take over her life. There was one moment where i did have a tear in my eyes. Really enjoyed this sweet read.
November 17, 2020
I was quite surprised to have liked this story so much with how short it is. I felt for the heroine in those few pages and I'd love for it to be a fuller story. Or maybe it was so sweet and beautiful because it was so fleeting... A nice read for sure.
December 13, 2018
Great book.
April 8, 2022
Life is full of hard knocks. There can absolutely be no doubt about that! It will throw unexpected “curveballs” at everyone and hammer us without mercy. Since this is inevitable, the question then becomes, how do you cope with such setbacks? What can you possibly do? In The Hand That Holds Mine by author Jennifer Loren, we are able to see such an escape plan put into motion. A quick read which is a good choice for those readers who are looking to escape reality for a little while!
Essentially, the story follows the trials of the main character, Adeline Beal. She is a struggling author, who through persistence and hard work has finally reached a mainstream reading audience. However, in the middle of her skyrocketing popularity, she is hit with a cruel life blow. Adeline is diagnosed with cancer and her time left on this Earth is quickly coming to an end. In the midst of this unbearable pain, Adeline must contend with an ex-husband who is secretly planning to get all the rights to her books when she passes. Also, she has a doting friend who is bound and determined to put her into a group care home. Everything is crumbling fast, and all Adeline wants to do is finish her latest writing masterpiece before she passes.
Just when things appear to be at their darkest, Adeline is given an unexpected lifeline. Past characters from her books have materialized in order to help her get through this hardship. When her hero reaches out and holds her hand, Adeline feels no pain. Pure peace and tranquility. Be that as it may, can all this really be happening? Or is it all just a cruel trick being played upon a fading mind. The very future of Adeline depends upon the answer to that question.
I found the plot of this story to be quite intriguing and unique. The concept of a struggling writer who suddenly makes it big appeals to me. Then to get struck down...only to rise again... is clever and inspirational writing. I was engaged throughout this short read. Bringing the characters to life in order to rescue Adeline did have the potential to go off track. The possibility of looking disingenuous and far-fetched was very real. However, the author's flowing prose made it all seem quite authentic. I suppose the only issue I had with the plot was that I would like to have seen more of it. The whole story just seemed to end too soon for me personally.
There can be little doubt that the plot of this story steals the show. It is unique and engaging. That being said, it is backed up fairly well by a whole slew of characters. Obviously, we have Adeline who produces empathy and respect in the reader. She is an underdog who we can root for! In contrast to her is the greedy ex-husband and doting best friend, Deb. Both of these characters are realistic, albeit quite annoying at times. The players whom I seemed to have the most difficulty identifying with were the characters from Adeline's novels who came to life. I was not able to get a solid grasp of them. Perhaps, once again, if the story had been a bit longer then they could have been developed in more depth.
Overall, I quite enjoyed The Hand That Holds Mine. It was a thought-provoking and well-written quick read which had me engaged throughout.
3 out of 5 Loving Stars for this one!
Essentially, the story follows the trials of the main character, Adeline Beal. She is a struggling author, who through persistence and hard work has finally reached a mainstream reading audience. However, in the middle of her skyrocketing popularity, she is hit with a cruel life blow. Adeline is diagnosed with cancer and her time left on this Earth is quickly coming to an end. In the midst of this unbearable pain, Adeline must contend with an ex-husband who is secretly planning to get all the rights to her books when she passes. Also, she has a doting friend who is bound and determined to put her into a group care home. Everything is crumbling fast, and all Adeline wants to do is finish her latest writing masterpiece before she passes.
Just when things appear to be at their darkest, Adeline is given an unexpected lifeline. Past characters from her books have materialized in order to help her get through this hardship. When her hero reaches out and holds her hand, Adeline feels no pain. Pure peace and tranquility. Be that as it may, can all this really be happening? Or is it all just a cruel trick being played upon a fading mind. The very future of Adeline depends upon the answer to that question.
I found the plot of this story to be quite intriguing and unique. The concept of a struggling writer who suddenly makes it big appeals to me. Then to get struck down...only to rise again... is clever and inspirational writing. I was engaged throughout this short read. Bringing the characters to life in order to rescue Adeline did have the potential to go off track. The possibility of looking disingenuous and far-fetched was very real. However, the author's flowing prose made it all seem quite authentic. I suppose the only issue I had with the plot was that I would like to have seen more of it. The whole story just seemed to end too soon for me personally.
There can be little doubt that the plot of this story steals the show. It is unique and engaging. That being said, it is backed up fairly well by a whole slew of characters. Obviously, we have Adeline who produces empathy and respect in the reader. She is an underdog who we can root for! In contrast to her is the greedy ex-husband and doting best friend, Deb. Both of these characters are realistic, albeit quite annoying at times. The players whom I seemed to have the most difficulty identifying with were the characters from Adeline's novels who came to life. I was not able to get a solid grasp of them. Perhaps, once again, if the story had been a bit longer then they could have been developed in more depth.
Overall, I quite enjoyed The Hand That Holds Mine. It was a thought-provoking and well-written quick read which had me engaged throughout.
3 out of 5 Loving Stars for this one!
January 8, 2013
After years of living on a shoe-string budget, now-popular author Adeline is dying. Her soon-to-be ex-husband tries to trick her into signing all rights to her books over to him, her best friend is trying to have her put into a group-care home, her doctor just writes her more prescriptions as the cancer takes its toll on her body, and the only comfort she finds is from the one man who holds her hand until she falls asleep. When he takes her hand, the pain fades away. But...who is he?
Knowing she does not have much time left, Adeline is working on her last book. What she didn't expect was writers block! Will she find a heroine for her hero before it's too late? And how is it that characters from her book are popping into her real life? Even her friends can see and interact with them! Deb, her friend, is quite annoying but Adeline is was so REAL to me I almost cried with her.
I really, really enjoyed this short story! It's obvious early in the work that Ms. Loren poured heart and soul into this.
Knowing she does not have much time left, Adeline is working on her last book. What she didn't expect was writers block! Will she find a heroine for her hero before it's too late? And how is it that characters from her book are popping into her real life? Even her friends can see and interact with them! Deb, her friend, is quite annoying but Adeline is was so REAL to me I almost cried with her.
I really, really enjoyed this short story! It's obvious early in the work that Ms. Loren poured heart and soul into this.
November 15, 2012
I was able to relate to Adeline immediately. I can totally relate to being with a douche husband that leaves you for a selfish reasons when you're sick. Ugh! It made me so angry to read about it happening to someone else, even if it's the character in a book. When her lawyer character showed up and put Mitch in his place, I cheered for her. I think that was one of my favourite parts of this book, having someone that she created herself stan up for her.
This is the sweetest book Ive read in a long time. I was so set in the idea that Adelina was going to die that I didn't even see the ending coming. Bravo.
This is the sweetest book Ive read in a long time. I was so set in the idea that Adelina was going to die that I didn't even see the ending coming. Bravo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2018
The Hand that Holds Mine
Battling with cancer is a scary place. I understand why her friends tried to help, but also understood her battle to find peace and dignity. I am glad that she found a place where she felt safe and cared for. I can’t imagine going through the pain and anguish she must have felt before passing.
Battling with cancer is a scary place. I understand why her friends tried to help, but also understood her battle to find peace and dignity. I am glad that she found a place where she felt safe and cared for. I can’t imagine going through the pain and anguish she must have felt before passing.
July 24, 2012
I thought it was a good read which tied into the previous books by this author.
November 12, 2012
I couldnt get through the entire book, I just skipped and read the last page, just couldnt go with the premise of it.
January 22, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. My only wish is that it would have been longer. Oh! And that he husband wasn't so rude.
December 31, 2013
once again Jennifer wrote a book I could not put down.. such a great little gem of a book ..its very touching made me cry ... I love this book !!!
August 29, 2014
Different
This was a good short story. Much different than anything I've ever read but it definitely kept my attention. Worth the read.
This was a good short story. Much different than anything I've ever read but it definitely kept my attention. Worth the read.
October 20, 2014
I loved this story.
I enjoyed the story. I could not wait for the ending. A happy ending for a potentially very sad story.
I enjoyed the story. I could not wait for the ending. A happy ending for a potentially very sad story.
September 28, 2015
Awesome
I wish I could do what the heroine does So my life will have meaning and ms won't win. Thanks
I wish I could do what the heroine does So my life will have meaning and ms won't win. Thanks
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews