What do you think?
Rate this book
The Love of My (Other) Life
What worlds would you move to be with your soulmate?
Painter Tessa Barnum is struggling. Her husband left, she's broke, about to be evicted and has made some serious missteps in her career. When scruffy Brian Tennyson explodes into her life, claiming to be from an alternate universe, Tessa thinks he's a crazy vagabond ― albeit one with mysterious and undeniable appeal.
Then he informs her that in his world, they're married.
Tessa's universe is turned upside down as the truth of love and loss, victory and humiliation, and second chances comes back to her. She has to choose love over logic to reach that state of anticipation where miracles unfold.
The secret to her own life was always in her heart.
Painter Tessa Barnum is struggling. Her husband left, she's broke, about to be evicted and has made some serious missteps in her career. When scruffy Brian Tennyson explodes into her life, claiming to be from an alternate universe, Tessa thinks he's a crazy vagabond ― albeit one with mysterious and undeniable appeal.
Then he informs her that in his world, they're married.
Tessa's universe is turned upside down as the truth of love and loss, victory and humiliation, and second chances comes back to her. She has to choose love over logic to reach that state of anticipation where miracles unfold.
The secret to her own life was always in her heart.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2013
5 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Traci L. Slatton
17 books244 followersTraci L. Slatton, author of FALLEN and COLD LIGHT, is a graduate of Yale (84) and Columbia (88). She lives in Manhattan, and her love for Renaissance Italy inspired her historical novel IMMORTAL and her contemporary vampire art history mystery THE BOTTICELLI AFFAIR. FALLEN is the first in a romantic trilogy set during the end times; COLD LIGHT and FAR SHORE further the dystopian tale. DANCING IN THE TABERNACLE is her first book of poetry. She also wrote a sculpture book, THE ART OF LIFE, with her husband. THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE is a bittersweet rom-com that addresses the question: What worlds would you move to be with your soulmate?
Her latest book is a manual for do-it-yourselfers entitled HOW TO WRITE, PUBLISH, AND MARKET YOUR BOOK YOURSELF, A Manual for the courageous and persistent.
For more information please visit http://www.tracilslatton.com
Her latest book is a manual for do-it-yourselfers entitled HOW TO WRITE, PUBLISH, AND MARKET YOUR BOOK YOURSELF, A Manual for the courageous and persistent.
For more information please visit http://www.tracilslatton.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 23, 2013
Truth be told, I passed this book up when I was browsing Netgalley simply because I thought it was erotica and I was looking for something a little different-duh, look at the cover! This is the perfect example of NEVER judge a book by its cover!! So when I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review I actually took a look at the synopsis. It sounded really interesting and WOW was I glad I gave it a shot!
Most of the science/physics talk went right over this girls head but all in all this book wasn’t about that, it was all about that one true love, your soul mate that exists in any universe, over and over in all of our lives. In each universe the players are the same they just may have different roles and if we are lucky we find each other!
This book was a little quirky and definitely won’t be for everyone, but I for one really enjoyed it. When we meet Tessa she is a little scattered, struggling artist, divorced from her husband and trying to get some order into her life. She runs into Brian Tennyson, who she believes is a homeless vagrant and he immediately throws his arms around her hugging her and calling her by name! Understandably she is a bit confused and a little freaked, but it gets crazier when he tells her that he is her husband in another universe and is only her visiting for 5 days 4 hours and 22 minutes, oh and he needs a place to stay!!
Tessa thinks that Brian is basically a crazy stalker, since he seems to be everywhere that she is even though she continually tells him to get lost and runs away from him. I know that this all seems silly and there really is a silly Big Bang Theory element to this book but it is, for all intents and purposes about the ultimate true love and the lengths we would go to find and keep it.
“What really matters is the non-physical, non-quantifiable thing, the feeling that when you’re with her, you’re more alive than you ever imagined possible. Even when it hurts. Even when she’s gone."
I am not going to give too much away with this review, just that this book made me laugh and cry and did not end the way I expected. It was different, quirky and fun to read and these days when so many books can really fall into the predictable category being pleasantly surprised is refreshing!
“You’re not the Tessa Barnum I married, but you’re a perfect flowering of the Tessa Barnum seed that was planted and bloomed in this world.”
I loved Brian & Tessa and I am thankful that I got to spend this little bit of time with them in my world!
***I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review
Most of the science/physics talk went right over this girls head but all in all this book wasn’t about that, it was all about that one true love, your soul mate that exists in any universe, over and over in all of our lives. In each universe the players are the same they just may have different roles and if we are lucky we find each other!
This book was a little quirky and definitely won’t be for everyone, but I for one really enjoyed it. When we meet Tessa she is a little scattered, struggling artist, divorced from her husband and trying to get some order into her life. She runs into Brian Tennyson, who she believes is a homeless vagrant and he immediately throws his arms around her hugging her and calling her by name! Understandably she is a bit confused and a little freaked, but it gets crazier when he tells her that he is her husband in another universe and is only her visiting for 5 days 4 hours and 22 minutes, oh and he needs a place to stay!!
Tessa thinks that Brian is basically a crazy stalker, since he seems to be everywhere that she is even though she continually tells him to get lost and runs away from him. I know that this all seems silly and there really is a silly Big Bang Theory element to this book but it is, for all intents and purposes about the ultimate true love and the lengths we would go to find and keep it.
“What really matters is the non-physical, non-quantifiable thing, the feeling that when you’re with her, you’re more alive than you ever imagined possible. Even when it hurts. Even when she’s gone."
I am not going to give too much away with this review, just that this book made me laugh and cry and did not end the way I expected. It was different, quirky and fun to read and these days when so many books can really fall into the predictable category being pleasantly surprised is refreshing!
“You’re not the Tessa Barnum I married, but you’re a perfect flowering of the Tessa Barnum seed that was planted and bloomed in this world.”
I loved Brian & Tessa and I am thankful that I got to spend this little bit of time with them in my world!
***I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review
January 21, 2013
THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE is a classic example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover!
A fair comparison would be picking up a glass and chugging what you think is water only to find that it’s vodka! The cover makes me think “erotic, ” but what you really get is a sweet romance with an interesting storyline – although the lack of steam was surprising, it was enjoyable all the same. I was also please to find there is actually a reason behind such an erotic cover for a book that is more romantic in nature.
When starving artist, Tessa Barnum is initially approached by the crazy homeless man claiming they are married in an alternate universe, she does what any sane person would do: she runs away as fast as her feet can carry her! The scruffy looking Brian Tennyson cannot be so easily deterred as there are many reasons he has traversed hyperspace and defied the laws of nature, so he continues on in a persistent manner until he finally grabs her attention.
I was convinced I knew how THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE would end, but surprise, surprise! I was wrong! If you like the idea of another “you” existing in a parallel universe, a little mystery and some romance weaved into a good story, then THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE will be a treat to read.
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
**Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
______________________________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!
Menage Readers
Erotic Enchants
Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
A fair comparison would be picking up a glass and chugging what you think is water only to find that it’s vodka! The cover makes me think “erotic, ” but what you really get is a sweet romance with an interesting storyline – although the lack of steam was surprising, it was enjoyable all the same. I was also please to find there is actually a reason behind such an erotic cover for a book that is more romantic in nature.
When starving artist, Tessa Barnum is initially approached by the crazy homeless man claiming they are married in an alternate universe, she does what any sane person would do: she runs away as fast as her feet can carry her! The scruffy looking Brian Tennyson cannot be so easily deterred as there are many reasons he has traversed hyperspace and defied the laws of nature, so he continues on in a persistent manner until he finally grabs her attention.
I was convinced I knew how THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE would end, but surprise, surprise! I was wrong! If you like the idea of another “you” existing in a parallel universe, a little mystery and some romance weaved into a good story, then THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE will be a treat to read.
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
**Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
______________________________________________________________________
If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!
Menage Readers
Erotic Enchants
Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
January 16, 2013
"Five days, fours hours and 22 minutes" is the babbling of a stranger who suddenly appears everywhere in the messy life of Tessa. Twenty four hours is how long it took me to read this book. It is really that engrossing.
Tessa is creative, bohemian, empathetic and in trouble. Brian is floundering, unkempt, confusing and persistent.
You need not believe in parellel universes. You need not understand physics. You need not appreciate fine art. You need not ever been part of the audience at a classical music recital. If you relate to any of these, you may find yourself connecting to a specific moment, a mention, a scene. Perhaps a passing mention of Blue Oyster Cult is where your connecting moment comes. Whenever it happens, is up to individual experience. From the very beginning, this novel is filled with the promise of interesting entanglements, delightful moments and new favorite literary bits.
Tessa, in today's world, is struggling to keep her co-op after her husband has left her. She works for an elder-care program based out of a church. She has a strong affinity for the church which is suffering its' own struggles. Money would solve both of their problems. Tessa connects to her seniors but in particular we learn about her relationship with Mrs. Leibowitz. Tessa has another task of adversity. She is an artist who has been in a blocked period. She has been unable to paint.
She collides with Brian on the sidewalk. He does not make sense. He seems to be suffering delusions. And his mutterings of "five days, four hours and twenty two minutes" is doing nothing to convince her of his sincerity. But since meeting him she keeps seeing potential paintings as she goes through the day. Incredibly no matter where she goes, he is there. More outlandish than his perpetual appearances, is his claims to be part of a parellel universe where he and she are more than just casually acquainted.
Tessa is skeptical of everything Brian has to say. She is more concerned with paying her back co-op fees, helping the church and reclaiming her art. But beneath her cynicism. or perhaps parellel to it, is interest. How does he know about her birthmark? How is it that he feels to be more familiar than a threat? How is it that he has unlocked her passion for creating art?
There are wonderful moments where words open up Tessa to believing. When she is spending time with Mrs. Leibowitz, the elderly woman says "Doing what you want is the prerogative of the dying. Should be the prerogative of the living, too, but it doesn't always work out that way." Then Brian "You always think you have forever, then you find it over before you realize."
This is the story that answers "what if?" Every day we make choices. This is the magic mirror look at what would have happened if certain choices were made.
There are interesting secondary characters that fill the story and make it meatier. A flamboyant gallery owner, a professor's dedicated assistant, a best friend off on a yoga retreat, a hooker with a defined adam's apple, today's Dr. Brian Tennyson, a black market art dealer, a dedicated clergyman, Apple Geniuses and more cluster around Brian and Tessa. In the span of five days, four hours and twenty two minutes there is adventure, guilt, passion, soul searching, kindness, death, rebirth and so much more. It is your prerogative as the reader whether you believe in the possibility of paralel universes. You will learn a bit about physics in the process of reading this book; "reality is non-local, and once two particles have interacted, they're forever intimately connected in some way". You need not be familiar with New York City to appreciate the locations referred to throughout. However, if you are, then the marble plaza at Lincoln Center is a fabulous setting for Tessa and Brian to explore the what if conversation. I find part of the scene there to be silly but the background of the spirits of symphonies, operas and ballets is perfect.
I refuse to be any more detailed than this in my review. I care not to throw in spoilers. Read and experience it all for yourself.
This is a scrumptious look at love, art, science and the many pieces that link into a helix that sweeps the reader into its orbit.
Tessa is creative, bohemian, empathetic and in trouble. Brian is floundering, unkempt, confusing and persistent.
You need not believe in parellel universes. You need not understand physics. You need not appreciate fine art. You need not ever been part of the audience at a classical music recital. If you relate to any of these, you may find yourself connecting to a specific moment, a mention, a scene. Perhaps a passing mention of Blue Oyster Cult is where your connecting moment comes. Whenever it happens, is up to individual experience. From the very beginning, this novel is filled with the promise of interesting entanglements, delightful moments and new favorite literary bits.
Tessa, in today's world, is struggling to keep her co-op after her husband has left her. She works for an elder-care program based out of a church. She has a strong affinity for the church which is suffering its' own struggles. Money would solve both of their problems. Tessa connects to her seniors but in particular we learn about her relationship with Mrs. Leibowitz. Tessa has another task of adversity. She is an artist who has been in a blocked period. She has been unable to paint.
She collides with Brian on the sidewalk. He does not make sense. He seems to be suffering delusions. And his mutterings of "five days, four hours and twenty two minutes" is doing nothing to convince her of his sincerity. But since meeting him she keeps seeing potential paintings as she goes through the day. Incredibly no matter where she goes, he is there. More outlandish than his perpetual appearances, is his claims to be part of a parellel universe where he and she are more than just casually acquainted.
Tessa is skeptical of everything Brian has to say. She is more concerned with paying her back co-op fees, helping the church and reclaiming her art. But beneath her cynicism. or perhaps parellel to it, is interest. How does he know about her birthmark? How is it that he feels to be more familiar than a threat? How is it that he has unlocked her passion for creating art?
There are wonderful moments where words open up Tessa to believing. When she is spending time with Mrs. Leibowitz, the elderly woman says "Doing what you want is the prerogative of the dying. Should be the prerogative of the living, too, but it doesn't always work out that way." Then Brian "You always think you have forever, then you find it over before you realize."
This is the story that answers "what if?" Every day we make choices. This is the magic mirror look at what would have happened if certain choices were made.
There are interesting secondary characters that fill the story and make it meatier. A flamboyant gallery owner, a professor's dedicated assistant, a best friend off on a yoga retreat, a hooker with a defined adam's apple, today's Dr. Brian Tennyson, a black market art dealer, a dedicated clergyman, Apple Geniuses and more cluster around Brian and Tessa. In the span of five days, four hours and twenty two minutes there is adventure, guilt, passion, soul searching, kindness, death, rebirth and so much more. It is your prerogative as the reader whether you believe in the possibility of paralel universes. You will learn a bit about physics in the process of reading this book; "reality is non-local, and once two particles have interacted, they're forever intimately connected in some way". You need not be familiar with New York City to appreciate the locations referred to throughout. However, if you are, then the marble plaza at Lincoln Center is a fabulous setting for Tessa and Brian to explore the what if conversation. I find part of the scene there to be silly but the background of the spirits of symphonies, operas and ballets is perfect.
I refuse to be any more detailed than this in my review. I care not to throw in spoilers. Read and experience it all for yourself.
This is a scrumptious look at love, art, science and the many pieces that link into a helix that sweeps the reader into its orbit.
November 18, 2017
Don’t judge a book by its cover as this book proves to me. I thought this was gonna be erotic but I was so wrong.
This was a different kinda read for me, a strange read, a great read.
I kept thinking I knew how it was going to end but I was so wrong. However I loved the ending. Great read.
This was a different kinda read for me, a strange read, a great read.
I kept thinking I knew how it was going to end but I was so wrong. However I loved the ending. Great read.
January 17, 2013
I got this book as an ARC because it sounded really interesting. I read it and at first I was kind of skeptical about the book. But as the story continued, I was pulled into it and read the whole thing in one day.
Tessa gets divorced by her husband, she's broke and most likely going to be homeless. Until one day she steps out her house and a stranger named Brian runs into her. He throws himself into her life and all she wants is for him to leave. Come to find out, he's from a parallel universe where Tessa and Brian are married. She thinks he's a kook and he is hooked on proving it too her.
I feel this book sounds a little childish from the concept of the book but once you read it, it is a great book. It could be considered a great romance about what you would really do for LOVE. Would you travel to another universe in hopes of seeing your true love once again? How far will you go to experience a real relationship. I think it has a deeper meaning then what's on the surface.
I loved the way the book ended and I feel a book 2 could be made. I would definitely read the 2nd book if it was ever made. I think this is a must read.
Tessa gets divorced by her husband, she's broke and most likely going to be homeless. Until one day she steps out her house and a stranger named Brian runs into her. He throws himself into her life and all she wants is for him to leave. Come to find out, he's from a parallel universe where Tessa and Brian are married. She thinks he's a kook and he is hooked on proving it too her.
I feel this book sounds a little childish from the concept of the book but once you read it, it is a great book. It could be considered a great romance about what you would really do for LOVE. Would you travel to another universe in hopes of seeing your true love once again? How far will you go to experience a real relationship. I think it has a deeper meaning then what's on the surface.
I loved the way the book ended and I feel a book 2 could be made. I would definitely read the 2nd book if it was ever made. I think this is a must read.
February 21, 2013
Disclaimer: Received a free copy via netgalley.
Don't be fooled, the cover is nothing like the book.
I do think the premise is interesting and holds potential. The book itself falls flat to me. It felt cheesy and over the top. It was not for me.
Don't be fooled, the cover is nothing like the book.
I do think the premise is interesting and holds potential. The book itself falls flat to me. It felt cheesy and over the top. It was not for me.
March 26, 2013
This is a new author for me, and based on what a friend of mine said about this book before she shelved it as DNF, I did not expect to like it at all. The first 60 pages or so are pretty hokey. But after you figure out what's happening and that this is real...and find out the reason why Brian bridged the ocean of another universe and alternate reality to get to Tessa, it's very touching and sweet and...sad. Tessa's life was irrevocably changed due to her experience of meeting the love of her other life, Brian. She changed, she grew up, she accepted reality, she stopped being so judgemental, and she started doing smart things for her life and not goofy things. And in turn, she gave Brian a very rare and precious gift...in several ways. Don't judge the cover...this is not erotica, although there are some pretty hot sex scenes in it, including one where they do it in a lot of different positions in an art gallery without realizing that they are on closed-captioned television and everyone can see them...and worse, thinks it's performance art! This was a very quick read and went by very quickly. I enjoyed it and it gave me a lot of flashbacks of movies such as Back To The Future, Sliding Doors, The Time Machine and Family Man.
If you read this book, you will know why this image from Back To The Future kept popping into my head.
My big editing problem with this book. Ejaculated should never, ever, ever be used to express speaking. As in "Nice!" he ejaculated. I'm not kidding. Page 214. Not sure how that got past the editor.
If you read this book, you will know why this image from Back To The Future kept popping into my head.
My big editing problem with this book. Ejaculated should never, ever, ever be used to express speaking. As in "Nice!" he ejaculated. I'm not kidding. Page 214. Not sure how that got past the editor.
January 18, 2013
This book is nerdy and artsy and quirky and funny and endearing. It's kind of like a mashup of The Big Bang Theory and a Miranda July movie. Or something. It probably won't be for everyone, but it was definitely for me.
Tessa is a big-hearted artist with some personal demons and a single digit checking account. Brian is a genius physicist from a parallel universe - of course she thinks he's a crazy homeless man, albeit one with a certain appeal. Their series of interactions is madcap and harebrained, yet delightful.
The book's style is brief and punchy. Its indie art flick tendencies include short chapters like quick cuts between scenes. Characters are defined by their quirk, vocabulary and passion, which doesn't allow for incredible depth, but makes them captivating nonetheless. There's lots of ubersmart sciencey talk, and ubersmart artsy talk (and physics jokes! oh, the physics jokes!) which is right up my alley in Nerdlandia, but may turn some readers off.
And what's not to love about chapter titles like "In which insanity enters" and "Downward facing dog solves all the problems of life"?
Both Tessa and Brian (and just about everyone else) are a bit crazy. Maybe kooky is a better word. But even in the throes of despair, grief and pain, they are vibrant and full of life. The end is wonderful and gives the whole story a soulfulness that it totally earned.
One note: the cover is clever, but misleading. There will be no warming of the naughty bits while reading this one - love scenes are strictly fade to black.
ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Tessa is a big-hearted artist with some personal demons and a single digit checking account. Brian is a genius physicist from a parallel universe - of course she thinks he's a crazy homeless man, albeit one with a certain appeal. Their series of interactions is madcap and harebrained, yet delightful.
The book's style is brief and punchy. Its indie art flick tendencies include short chapters like quick cuts between scenes. Characters are defined by their quirk, vocabulary and passion, which doesn't allow for incredible depth, but makes them captivating nonetheless. There's lots of ubersmart sciencey talk, and ubersmart artsy talk (and physics jokes! oh, the physics jokes!) which is right up my alley in Nerdlandia, but may turn some readers off.
And what's not to love about chapter titles like "In which insanity enters" and "Downward facing dog solves all the problems of life"?
Both Tessa and Brian (and just about everyone else) are a bit crazy. Maybe kooky is a better word. But even in the throes of despair, grief and pain, they are vibrant and full of life. The end is wonderful and gives the whole story a soulfulness that it totally earned.
One note: the cover is clever, but misleading. There will be no warming of the naughty bits while reading this one - love scenes are strictly fade to black.
ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
November 20, 2014
I have a confession to make. I've read fan-fiction. Not as much as it used to be but I still am. Most of them was erotica, and I liked them. But reading erotic fan-fictions made me loose my ability to read erotic novels. I don't know why but I can't stand reading steamy scenes in novels. So imagine my disappointment when I saw this cover and imagine my joy when I realized this book isn't an erotica. I shouldn’t have judge the book by its cover!
Tessa Barnum is a starving artist. Her husband left, she's broke and one day a homeless man approaches her and claims they are married. In an alternate universe, of course *d'uh* Tessa doesn't believe him and wants him out of her life but he has "five days, four hours, and twenty-two minutes left" and until then he has no interests in to go anywhere else...
I really enjoyed this book. Much better than I expected. The romance in the book is sweet and has a creative, geeky plot. I found the book well written and I read it quite quickly. Characters are captivating and the story is very intriguing. My only problem with this book is the story felt a little rushed. But I was surprised with the end, I didn't quite see it coming and I loved the little twists and turns. This is a good book that keeps you fascinated until the end. I will probably read more by this author.
I received a review copy from the publisher for an honest review.
January 29, 2015
Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes The Love Of My (Other) Life [Parvati Press], this year’s most charming – and bittersweet – romantic comedy novella.
The latest offering from critically acclaimed author and Yale and Columbia graduate Traci L. Slatton, The Love Of My (Other) Life follows the beguiling and uncompromising Tessa Barnum, a 30-something would-be painter struggling to find her rightful place in the city that never sleeps: the ever-bustling, always-magical backdrop of New York City.
Frustrated by a world that champions meaningless post-modernism and money over truth, beauty and transcendence, Tessa is about to be evicted, too insecure in her own talent to let her Turner-esque landscapes leave her closet, and emotionally exhausted by a recent divorce. When she is suddenly faced with Brian Tennyson behind every corner – a disheveled yet devilishly handsome man who, out of virtually nowhere, claims to not only be a Yale physics professor who has uncovered a gap in the time-space continuum, but also her husband in an alternate universe (!) – Tessa finds herself on a rollercoaster ride the likes of which she never in her wildest dreams imagined she would have to be prepared for.
A touching and immersive portrait of a young woman reconciling her passions, convictions and realities with an impossible love story unfolding around her, The Love Of My (Other) Life is a surprising, funny and engrossing addition to any romance lover’s bookshelf, digital or otherwise.
The latest offering from critically acclaimed author and Yale and Columbia graduate Traci L. Slatton, The Love Of My (Other) Life follows the beguiling and uncompromising Tessa Barnum, a 30-something would-be painter struggling to find her rightful place in the city that never sleeps: the ever-bustling, always-magical backdrop of New York City.
Frustrated by a world that champions meaningless post-modernism and money over truth, beauty and transcendence, Tessa is about to be evicted, too insecure in her own talent to let her Turner-esque landscapes leave her closet, and emotionally exhausted by a recent divorce. When she is suddenly faced with Brian Tennyson behind every corner – a disheveled yet devilishly handsome man who, out of virtually nowhere, claims to not only be a Yale physics professor who has uncovered a gap in the time-space continuum, but also her husband in an alternate universe (!) – Tessa finds herself on a rollercoaster ride the likes of which she never in her wildest dreams imagined she would have to be prepared for.
A touching and immersive portrait of a young woman reconciling her passions, convictions and realities with an impossible love story unfolding around her, The Love Of My (Other) Life is a surprising, funny and engrossing addition to any romance lover’s bookshelf, digital or otherwise.
January 30, 2013
Wow! This was such a fun read! I have to say that I can't remember laughing so hard while simultaneously feeling kinda dumb. :) I mean, what's not to love about a story containing a time-traveling physicist who's constantly offering silly physics jokes?!? It was very entertaining despite my uneducated-ness in physics...and art...Hey, I was an English major, what can I say??
When we meet Tessa Barnum, she's a bit down on her luck. She's about to be evicted, she's been divorced for three years and she's a starving artist...literally. She's hasn't painted in three years, couldn't get a gallery showing anyway so she spends her days working with the elderly at her church for minimal to no pay.
Brian Tennyson is a brilliant physicist who earned his PhD at 17 from MIT. He's now teaching calculus at Yale, where he's an assistant professor, and a baseball player, when he meets a lovely student named Tessa Barnum --- in his world. In his world, Tessa plays cello and ends up falling madly in love with him. They marry and have a great life...in this alternate universe.
But something happens in Brian's universe that influences his decision to test his decoherence device on himself and travel to a parallel universe - the one where Tessa's an artist divorced from her college beau.
The trick is getting Tessa to believe he is actually who he says he is - not some nut job spouting off physics jokes and making Star Trek references. This is easier said than done - especially since it involved decoherence theory and quantum chromodynamics. But Brian is brilliant, and hey, Tessa made some bad decisions but she's pretty smart too! So does Brian accomplish his goal? And will Tessa ever let go of the past and move forward?
Well, you'll have to read the book, silly!
I absolutely enjoyed The Love of My (Other) Life. I felt as though the author was trying to convey the message that we should make our choices and if they end up being mistakes, let them go and keep moving forward. Of course, that message could have been meant for the other me in a parallel universe! :) I'm completely fascinated with the idea of a multiverse. (This sparked quite a bit of conversation with my son, an aspiring physicist!) I was also drawn to the characters, with their delightful personalities. I liked the banter between Brian and Tessa, as well as their inner dialog, particularly on Tessa's part. Ms. Slatton has written an innovative story that's also very witty. Despite the science and art references that flew right over my head, the unique story and appealing characters all combined for a lovely read.
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When we meet Tessa Barnum, she's a bit down on her luck. She's about to be evicted, she's been divorced for three years and she's a starving artist...literally. She's hasn't painted in three years, couldn't get a gallery showing anyway so she spends her days working with the elderly at her church for minimal to no pay.
Brian Tennyson is a brilliant physicist who earned his PhD at 17 from MIT. He's now teaching calculus at Yale, where he's an assistant professor, and a baseball player, when he meets a lovely student named Tessa Barnum --- in his world. In his world, Tessa plays cello and ends up falling madly in love with him. They marry and have a great life...in this alternate universe.
But something happens in Brian's universe that influences his decision to test his decoherence device on himself and travel to a parallel universe - the one where Tessa's an artist divorced from her college beau.
The trick is getting Tessa to believe he is actually who he says he is - not some nut job spouting off physics jokes and making Star Trek references. This is easier said than done - especially since it involved decoherence theory and quantum chromodynamics. But Brian is brilliant, and hey, Tessa made some bad decisions but she's pretty smart too! So does Brian accomplish his goal? And will Tessa ever let go of the past and move forward?
Well, you'll have to read the book, silly!
I absolutely enjoyed The Love of My (Other) Life. I felt as though the author was trying to convey the message that we should make our choices and if they end up being mistakes, let them go and keep moving forward. Of course, that message could have been meant for the other me in a parallel universe! :) I'm completely fascinated with the idea of a multiverse. (This sparked quite a bit of conversation with my son, an aspiring physicist!) I was also drawn to the characters, with their delightful personalities. I liked the banter between Brian and Tessa, as well as their inner dialog, particularly on Tessa's part. Ms. Slatton has written an innovative story that's also very witty. Despite the science and art references that flew right over my head, the unique story and appealing characters all combined for a lovely read.
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2013
This could have been a good book, but sadly, Tessa's character was so distracting, it was practically unreadable for me.
In The Love of My (Other) Life Tessa is a artist in her early 30s and graduate of Columbia University. She is being followed by Brian, a professor of physics who claims that she is his wife in a parallel world.
This was a fun premise, and Brian was done really well. His character reminded me of a character in The Big Bang Theory. When focusing on Brian's backstory, I was absolutely engrossed.
In contrast, Tessa's an immature child. She's supposed to be an Columbia grad, but she says things like this:
What worked with my old folks? Distraction. "Look, a purple chicken drinking vodka while playing an organ!"
What am I reading? I feel sad.
Here's the thing about that line. It's not funny. I know that Tessa is supposed to be quirky and odd, but still. It's goofy.
Then there's all of Tessa's ranting about how she's painting again therefore her financial woes will be over. Didn't you know that all great art sells for millions? Duh. MILLIONS.
Again, Tessa is not 18. She's 34 and a college grad.
Then, I guess because we need our female characters to be nurturers, Tessa is a part-time eldercare provider. And, aren't they just the CUTEST old people EVER?!
NO! Stop it!
Her interactions with the old folks were so stilted and dorky. Old people are so adorable, gah!
The premise was really refreshing, but Tessa needs work that will make her believable and her interactions with her world genuine.
Advance Reader Copy provided by Parvati Press and Netgalley.com.
April 16, 2013
Artist, Tessa Barnum is broke and has the co-op board of her apartment building after her for outstanding payments of maintenance bills which she has let lapse since her husband left her years before. That’s the bad news! The good news is she has started painting again for the first time since the scandal and she really feels with her newly found enthusiasm for her work that she will be able to get herself back on her feet again, pay off her debts and recover from the disgrace she suffered in her past.
As she tries to dodge the rep from the co-op she runs into a unkempt guy who appears to be homeless. She gives him a few dollars to get himself a coffee and he tells her he is from an alternative universe and in his world they are married. Enter, Brian Tennyson. He is undeniably attractive and vaguely familiar to Tessa and through him she finds the path to herself.
This is a lovely story of love and loss, surmounting obstacles, believing in what appears to be unbelievable and taking second chances. Tessa is drawn to Brian and even though, under normal circumstances, she would run a mile from a strange man who appears to be stalking her, she is not one bit afraid of Brian. She trusts him even though she doesn’t know him. As their relationship unfolds it is clear Tessa has many things to come to terms with from her past and so does Brian.
There is a quirky, magical feel to this story and although someone arriving from an alternative universe used to be the stuff of science fiction only, Traci Slatton uses some basic modern scientific principles to make the possibility believable. Having said that, it is very light on the science and very focused on the emotional connection between Tessa and Brian.
The book is a quick read, only 235 pages and I really enjoyed it. Actually, it put me in mind of the film Kate and Leopold with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman, so I suppose anyone who enjoyed that film would really like this book.
It was recently published at the end of January and is available from bookstores and online from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
The Love of My (Other) Life
As she tries to dodge the rep from the co-op she runs into a unkempt guy who appears to be homeless. She gives him a few dollars to get himself a coffee and he tells her he is from an alternative universe and in his world they are married. Enter, Brian Tennyson. He is undeniably attractive and vaguely familiar to Tessa and through him she finds the path to herself.
This is a lovely story of love and loss, surmounting obstacles, believing in what appears to be unbelievable and taking second chances. Tessa is drawn to Brian and even though, under normal circumstances, she would run a mile from a strange man who appears to be stalking her, she is not one bit afraid of Brian. She trusts him even though she doesn’t know him. As their relationship unfolds it is clear Tessa has many things to come to terms with from her past and so does Brian.
There is a quirky, magical feel to this story and although someone arriving from an alternative universe used to be the stuff of science fiction only, Traci Slatton uses some basic modern scientific principles to make the possibility believable. Having said that, it is very light on the science and very focused on the emotional connection between Tessa and Brian.
The book is a quick read, only 235 pages and I really enjoyed it. Actually, it put me in mind of the film Kate and Leopold with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman, so I suppose anyone who enjoyed that film would really like this book.
It was recently published at the end of January and is available from bookstores and online from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
The Love of My (Other) Life
February 6, 2013
The Love of My (Other) Life by Traci L. SlattonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Don't Be Fooled By The Cover - PG-13 Light Enjoyable Story with a Bit of Self Awakening
Brian was married to Tessa he says but in another alternate universe …. And so our story begins. This is a multi-layered story of romance and I guess self discovery plus throw in some old Science Fiction slightly reminiscent of The Time Machine and you have the making of a great romance.
The romance IS the main thrust of this short novel, make no mistake, the Sci-Fi, the craziness, a poetry quoting bad guy and other things revolve around the connection between Brian and Tessa BUT things are never as they seem to be in these novels are they
This novel slowly leads us down a path where we get to discover the things that have led both of these people to this point in their life, you have moments where you have to decide who is really crazy (if anyone) and throw in a bit of self awakening and it all works together to make this an uplifting and enjoyable story with a bit of a twist at the end
Bottom Line: This is a great story, a bit of craziness at the beginning to drop you into the story and a bit of everything a good romance needs with an ending quite satisfying on many levels. 4+ Stars and to many people this will be a 5 Star novel because it will touch some more deeply than the light story on the surface.
(if you like this review please feel free to give it positive feedback on Amazon)
View all my reviews
March 14, 2013
Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.
The Love of My (Other) Life is a Contemporary Romance written by Traci L. Slatton. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review by Parvati Press through NetGalley.
The Review:
I really did not enjoy this book at all. The writing was choppy and hollow, abruptly switching from one scene to another. Paragraphs or chapters would end on antidotes that were neither cleaver nor funny. Though I liked the idea of this book, even if not terribly original, I couldn’t get into the story and I felt like it was buried under a slew of awkward actions, frivolous words and artistic ideals.
The characters were vacant and animated. I never got a real sense of who they were. Where I think the author was trying to portray quirky and ingenious characters, they only came off as pretentious and annoying. Tessa was in her mid thirties and had the maturity of a teenager. Her grasp on reality was skewed which she lays off as her artist eye. The one bright note in this book was Brian. I did like him even though he had a mad professor feel to him. He was eccentric and fun and his reason for traversing between universes for a lost love was sweet and sincere.
One last note - The cover is very deceptive. Looking at it, you get the sense this is an erotic book or even a heavy romance which it is not. Its sweet and energetic but could easily pass in the New Adult genre.
The Wrap Up:
Though I wasn’t a fan of this book, it had enough kooky and fun that Im sure it would appeal to other readers, I just wasn’t one of them.
The Love of My (Other) Life is a Contemporary Romance written by Traci L. Slatton. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review by Parvati Press through NetGalley.
The Review:
I really did not enjoy this book at all. The writing was choppy and hollow, abruptly switching from one scene to another. Paragraphs or chapters would end on antidotes that were neither cleaver nor funny. Though I liked the idea of this book, even if not terribly original, I couldn’t get into the story and I felt like it was buried under a slew of awkward actions, frivolous words and artistic ideals.
The characters were vacant and animated. I never got a real sense of who they were. Where I think the author was trying to portray quirky and ingenious characters, they only came off as pretentious and annoying. Tessa was in her mid thirties and had the maturity of a teenager. Her grasp on reality was skewed which she lays off as her artist eye. The one bright note in this book was Brian. I did like him even though he had a mad professor feel to him. He was eccentric and fun and his reason for traversing between universes for a lost love was sweet and sincere.
One last note - The cover is very deceptive. Looking at it, you get the sense this is an erotic book or even a heavy romance which it is not. Its sweet and energetic but could easily pass in the New Adult genre.
The Wrap Up:
Though I wasn’t a fan of this book, it had enough kooky and fun that Im sure it would appeal to other readers, I just wasn’t one of them.
January 24, 2013
I do not think that I was smart enough to enjoy this book. I am a sci-fi geek and a paranormal romance girl-so when I read the description of this book I was excited. After I started reading it, the story lost some of its appeal. I do not have a physics, philosophy or an art degree so there was a lot that was over my head. I loved the idea of a love that was so profound that it crossed over a universe. I love the fact that the main character was intelligent, passionate about her beliefs and shows compassion to others. I didn't like that there was little romance in this story.
As you can see, the cover shows a nearly naked woman. One would assume that there would be some type of sex. Don't get me wrong, the other does broach the subject, she just doesn't give us the details. What is the point of a good old romance novel if I don't get to read about heaving bosoms and fiery loins?
The author is more descriptive about the atrocities in the art community and the laws of physics. I also have never encounter an underworld thug that speaks so eloquently that I don't know what he is saying. "The ugliness that repels us in nature exists, but it becomes acceptable and even pleasurable in the art that expresses and shows beautifully the ugliness of ugliness," What kind of thug talks like this and what is he saying? Like I said I was not smart enough to enjoy this book. In my opinion, it is difficult to get drawn into the drama of the story, but like with all fairy tales there was a happy ending.
As you can see, the cover shows a nearly naked woman. One would assume that there would be some type of sex. Don't get me wrong, the other does broach the subject, she just doesn't give us the details. What is the point of a good old romance novel if I don't get to read about heaving bosoms and fiery loins?
The author is more descriptive about the atrocities in the art community and the laws of physics. I also have never encounter an underworld thug that speaks so eloquently that I don't know what he is saying. "The ugliness that repels us in nature exists, but it becomes acceptable and even pleasurable in the art that expresses and shows beautifully the ugliness of ugliness," What kind of thug talks like this and what is he saying? Like I said I was not smart enough to enjoy this book. In my opinion, it is difficult to get drawn into the drama of the story, but like with all fairy tales there was a happy ending.
January 31, 2013
This was fun. And rambly and cute.
It was a fast read, mainly because I had to know what happened! How could this end happily? I had to have that HEA, that's why I read books...and Ms. Slatton made it work.
Brian has come from an alternate universe...at least that's what he is saying. Tessa is skeptical. He says they are married in his universe, and she feels drawn to him, when she knows she shouldn't be.
There's a mystery about art and about whether Brian REALLY is from somewhere ELSE. There's painting talk, which I loved as I'm an artist myself. And there are physic jokes that made me snort. At least when I GOT them I snorted. Many of them went over my head, but I smiled anyway.
Okay, the cover caught my attention in my Goodreads timeline. After having read the book, only the heart makes sense. But since it caught my attention I guess it did it's job. Don't be fooled, either; there aren't any graphic sex scenes in this one. The cover is the most graphic thing about it.
I did worry about the ending...but it worked out. Which doesn't seem like a spoiler to me. That's why we read these types of books...for an HEA. THIS one is a good one! I enjoyed it very much, and you might, too.
Thank you NetGalley and Parvati Press, for the opportunity to read THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE.
It was a fast read, mainly because I had to know what happened! How could this end happily? I had to have that HEA, that's why I read books...and Ms. Slatton made it work.
Brian has come from an alternate universe...at least that's what he is saying. Tessa is skeptical. He says they are married in his universe, and she feels drawn to him, when she knows she shouldn't be.
There's a mystery about art and about whether Brian REALLY is from somewhere ELSE. There's painting talk, which I loved as I'm an artist myself. And there are physic jokes that made me snort. At least when I GOT them I snorted. Many of them went over my head, but I smiled anyway.
Okay, the cover caught my attention in my Goodreads timeline. After having read the book, only the heart makes sense. But since it caught my attention I guess it did it's job. Don't be fooled, either; there aren't any graphic sex scenes in this one. The cover is the most graphic thing about it.
I did worry about the ending...but it worked out. Which doesn't seem like a spoiler to me. That's why we read these types of books...for an HEA. THIS one is a good one! I enjoyed it very much, and you might, too.
Thank you NetGalley and Parvati Press, for the opportunity to read THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE.
January 21, 2013
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the quirkiness of the characters, especially the duel 1st POV of the heroine and the 3rd POV of the hero. The premise is that Brian comes from a parallel universe to spend time with the love of his life, Tessa. Tessa's parts are written in first person as the reader needs to be skeptically right there with her as Brian, in his distant 3rd voice, tries to convince her of his far out tale of decoherence. The perspective shift was a very clever and apropos trick, and it worked to help me believe in the madness of this story. The reason that I did not finish this book is the dialogue gave me a headache.
I've read books where the plot or details were so intricate that they went over my head the first time and I had to reread to understand what just happened. No amount of rereading was going to clue me in on the physics, art, and philosophical jokes, innuendos, and rants of this book. I felt really left out, and eventually too stupid to continue.
I've read books where the plot or details were so intricate that they went over my head the first time and I had to reread to understand what just happened. No amount of rereading was going to clue me in on the physics, art, and philosophical jokes, innuendos, and rants of this book. I felt really left out, and eventually too stupid to continue.
February 23, 2013
3.5 to 4 stars
For this review and more Live Read and Breathe
Live Read and Breathe Giveaway
So it took me a bit to get into this book because it was a bit quirky but I ended up loving it. I laughed. I cried. It was like the mixture of the movie Sliding Doors meets the Big Bang theory.
It is also about the idea of possibility. I loved the concept of multiverse instead of universe. It left me with so many what if's.
I love that fact Tessa and Brian's love comes across in every realm and possibility. It's just about time, fate and chance. Each Brian bring out the best in Tessa with her love, compassion, talent, loyality and passion.
There was so many different aspects of this story that I got lost into. It's a book that I find hard to review because you need to get lost in it yourself to really appreciate the beauty of this story.
For this review and more Live Read and Breathe
Live Read and Breathe Giveaway
So it took me a bit to get into this book because it was a bit quirky but I ended up loving it. I laughed. I cried. It was like the mixture of the movie Sliding Doors meets the Big Bang theory.
It is also about the idea of possibility. I loved the concept of multiverse instead of universe. It left me with so many what if's.
I love that fact Tessa and Brian's love comes across in every realm and possibility. It's just about time, fate and chance. Each Brian bring out the best in Tessa with her love, compassion, talent, loyality and passion.
There was so many different aspects of this story that I got lost into. It's a book that I find hard to review because you need to get lost in it yourself to really appreciate the beauty of this story.
February 20, 2013
http://booktobookreviews.blogspot.co....
Follow the above link and fill out the Rafflecopter for a chance to win one of two eBook copies of The Love of My (Other) Life! (The giveaway is open from the 20th of Feb until the 28th!)
This book is a very good example of why you should not judge a book by its cover. This book cover makes you think that the book must be erotic, but really, it's a sweet romance with an interesting storyline.
This book was definitely a fun read.
And it really does make you ask the question: What would you do for the love of your life?
Or rather as the description says: What worlds would you move to be with your soulmate?
I was also totally convinced that I knew how the book was going to end. I was wrong. So, the book isn't a predictable one either!
A fun, quirky read that I'd recommend.
Follow the above link and fill out the Rafflecopter for a chance to win one of two eBook copies of The Love of My (Other) Life! (The giveaway is open from the 20th of Feb until the 28th!)
This book is a very good example of why you should not judge a book by its cover. This book cover makes you think that the book must be erotic, but really, it's a sweet romance with an interesting storyline.
This book was definitely a fun read.
And it really does make you ask the question: What would you do for the love of your life?
Or rather as the description says: What worlds would you move to be with your soulmate?
I was also totally convinced that I knew how the book was going to end. I was wrong. So, the book isn't a predictable one either!
A fun, quirky read that I'd recommend.
January 19, 2013
I love romances novels especially the ones that aren't the girl meets guy and they fall in love. The Love of My (Other) Life has a twist to a romantic story. The main character Tessa is an artist that is struggling with the way her current life is. One day she meets a man named Brian that says he knows her and is her husband. She has never met him yet feels a connection to him. The more he tells her things that he knows the more she thinks he is crazy.It makes the reader wonder how is the story going to pan out when Tessa doesn't believe David and Davids time with her is running out. This is an enthralling story with humor, sadness, sensuality, and the unknown of whats gonna happen next.
January 27, 2013
This book definitely wasn't what I expected when I first began to read it a week ago. I honestly thought from the cover that this would be another erotic romance novel, but was pleasantly surprised that it was not. I honestly didn't understand the character of Brian at first. but the further along I read, his character and his purpose really grew on me.
I thought this book was going to be a slow read for me, but when i finally got the opportunity to get time to read, I flew thru the rest of the book without issues. The book was an overall good read if you'd like something different and a break from the normal Erotica that is being published as of late.
I thought this book was going to be a slow read for me, but when i finally got the opportunity to get time to read, I flew thru the rest of the book without issues. The book was an overall good read if you'd like something different and a break from the normal Erotica that is being published as of late.
January 28, 2013
This light-hearted romp through the lives of two damaged personalities - one who knows she's damaged, one who hasn't yet realized it - plays hard and fast with the idea of multiple dimensions. The story revolves around a scientist who is looking for his lost love and an artist who seems to have hit rock bottom. The plot plays well with the idea that people are not always what they seem, and our first impressions may in fact be colored by what we expect to find. At times sweet, infuriating, and laugh out loud funny, it's a must for any adult fiction collection. (review is based on a galley copy; book to be published 1/31/2013)
January 19, 2013
When I saw the book and read the summary it seemed like it would be a good read. I should say this book may not be for everyone.
With the mix of artiness, geeky nerd, quirky characters and part sci-fi in the book. It was one that was, in my opinion, a great book to read.
It reminded me of Big Bang Nerdiness (yes, I know made up word) meets Quantum Leap (or Voyager-for those of us who were raised in the 1980’s) …
I should note that cover can be deceiving, this FAR from being an erotica. The book is a contemporary romance that was interestingly written.
With the mix of artiness, geeky nerd, quirky characters and part sci-fi in the book. It was one that was, in my opinion, a great book to read.
It reminded me of Big Bang Nerdiness (yes, I know made up word) meets Quantum Leap (or Voyager-for those of us who were raised in the 1980’s) …
I should note that cover can be deceiving, this FAR from being an erotica. The book is a contemporary romance that was interestingly written.
February 18, 2018
Tessa is a painter, but she doesn't paint anymore and is about to be evicted from her condo because she hasn't paid her condo fees. She spends a lot of time helping the elderly at her church. Suddenly, Brian shows up and claims to be her husband in another universe. Interesting enough.
May 3, 2022
El libro está raro... y siento que muy apresurado... la idea era buena pero creo que se quedó a medias.
May 3, 2022
El libro está raro... y siento que muy apresurado... la idea era buena pero creo que se quedó a medias.
December 16, 2023
Linda historia corta sobre reencuentros, segundas oportunidades.
February 14, 2013
Reading this book left me a little puzzled, especially after seeing some much higher rating from various sites. Let's say, maybe I'm not really good to appreciate it fully....
Tessa Barnum is a young woman in a very difficult time of her life: she's recovering from the failure of her marriage, a painter who has just passed years where she had abandoned his art and has big economic problems. This doesn't change the fact of being a woman with a big heart, devoted to help others and perhaps this is one of her problems, She always wants to help others, without thinking to herself. Suddenly her life is turned upside down by the arrival of a strange man, Brian, who claims to come from a parallel reality where he and the woman were married.
Tessa thinks he's a poor mad guy, but the man somehow seems to know things about her, that a stranger might not know. Why does Brian want so stubbornly to force his presence, what is it his purpose?
Well to find out the answer to that question I have to read, more than half of the book.
The real problem was that the succession of chapters where you have to move from the present reality to the parallel reality of Brian, and this thing doesn't agree to give a real logical Threads of the plot. One must continue to read to figure out where he wants to prove his point in the story.
Sometimes I found annoying Tessa's character, with her attitudes at the very least confused and not quite good for a woman of her age.
Brian in the beginning of the bookat contradicts himself with the progress of story and his mathematical-physical ruminations are sometimes a bit heavy.
In short the idea could be good and the irony of the writer writing could create a much more cute story, in my opinion.
One of the few positive thing I found it was a very touching and heartwarming moment between Tessa and Brian to the ending of the book, but this cannot hold the rest of the book.
The cover doesn't look right with the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Parvati Press for the book.
Rating: 2 stars
TITLE: The Love of my ( other) Life
AUTHOR: Traci L. Slatton
PUBLISHER: Parvati Press
PUBLICATION DATE: January 29, 2013
La lettura di questo libro mi ha lasciato un po' perplessa, soprattutto dopo aver visto alcuni rating molto più alti del mio nei vari siti. Diciamo che non sono riuscita ad apprezzarlo pienamente, forse...
Tessa Barnum e' una giovane donna in un momento molto difficile della sua vita: e' reduce dal fallimento del suo matrimonio, pittrice che ha appena sorpassato una fase in cui aveva abbandonato la sua arte e ha grossi problemi economici. Questo non le vieta di essere una donna di grande cuore, votata ad aiutare il prossimo e forse anche questo e' uno dei suoi problemi, voler aiutare sempre gli altri, senza pensare a se stessa. All'improvviso la sua vita viene sconvolta dall'arrivo di uno strano uomo, Brian, che afferma di provenire da una realtà parallela dove lui e la donna sono sposati.
Tessa crede sia il solito svitato vagabondo, ma l'uomo, in qualche modo, sembra conoscere cose di lei, che un estraneo non potrebbe sapere. Perché Brian cerca così ostinatamente di imporle la sua presenza, qual e' il suo fine?
Ecco per scoprire la risposta a questa domanda ce n'è voluto di tempo, più di meta' libro.
Il vero problema e' stato che, nell'avvicendarsi di capitoli che si spostano dal presente, alla realtà parallela di Brian, non sembra esserci un vero filo logico della trama. Uno deve continuare la lettura per capire dove vuole andare a parare la storia.
Il personaggio di Tessa l'ho trovato a tratti irritante, con i suoi atteggiamenti per lo meno confusi e poco maturi per una donna della sua età.
Il Brian della parte iniziale del libro poi si contraddice, con quello che afferma con il progredire della storia e le sue elucubrazioni matematico-fisiche a volte sono un po' pesanti.
Insomma l'idea poteva essere buona e l'ironia di cui e' dotata la scrittrice nello scrivere poteva dare origine a una storia molto più carina, a mio parere.
Uno dei pochi lati positivi che ho trovato e' stato un momento veramente toccante e commovente tra Tessa e Brian verso il finale del libro, pero' mi sembra un po' poco per reggere tutto il resto.
La copertina poi non la riesco a collocare proprio con il libro.
Si ringraziano Netgalley e la Parvati Press per la visione del libro.
VOTO: 2 stelle
TITOLO: The Love of my (other) Life
AUTRICE: Traci L. Slatton
EDITORE: Parvati Press
DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: 29 gennaio 2013
April 11, 2013
Full review here at Once Upon a Story
The Love of my Other Life is a “time” story. For those of you who’ve read my past reviews, you’d know that time-related stories are catnip to me—I adore them. This one is no different. Teresa is a 34-year old woman who has reached the lowest point of her life and has now decided to redeem herself, starting with her Charity Work at church. She wants to help Fr. And her elderly friends to get more funds. I immediately liked Teresa because she was relatable. I sympathized with how hopeless she was as a struggling artist (even though her comments about ‘real’ art was kind of mean) and how vulnerable her self-esteem was. I felt her frustration with how the life she imagined and the life she lived weren’t the same. She wants to help herself, but she doesn’t know how to get there. I totally get that.
Then, Brian comes. Brian is from another dimension altogether. He’s smart, quirky, and just an all-around cool guy. He essentially heals her and makes her believe in herself and her artistic talent. And when I found out exactly why he invented a machine to travel in the multiverse, I realized that Teresa was also healing him and his grief over the Teresa of his dimension. He, too, has his own issues and these are explored in the chapters about him and his life with the Other Teresa. Through all that, he even concocts a plan so that the Brian of that dimension meets with the Teresa of that dimension too (because in this dimension, they didn’t meet). I like how the author developed the relationship between the Teresas and Brians. For purposes of clarity, I’m calling the main character Teresa as Teresa 1 and the Brian of that dimension Brian 1. The Brian who creates the machine to travel across the multiverse is Brian 2 and his Teresa is Teresa 2. Alright. So, Teresa 1 and Brian 2 worked well together. Even though Brian 2 kept commenting on how Teresa 2, the one he fell in love with, was so different from Teresa 1, he was ever-supportive and loving. Both women were essentially Teresa, but they were different in ways that matter to Brian 2. Teresa 1, on her part, couldn’t help but care for someone so completely and unwaveringly in love with her, even if it was a different version of her. And when Teresa 1 and Brian 1 finally met, it was evident that they fit together better than Brian 2. So, I really like the romance/relationship aspect of this novel.
The other thing I really liked about this book is just how smart a lot of the characters are. Teresa 1 was knowledgeable in Art. She kept referencing names of artists and I didn’t know them but I could tell that they were super artsy and iconic, etc. She came off as a bit of an art snob but, hey, I thought that was very consistent with how Art majors generally (stereotypically) are. Brian 1 and 2, on the other hand, were Physics geeks. He kept making Physics jokes and even if I only got a few of them, I still found it funny. I have a soft spot for nerds so I was crushing on him badly by the fifth chapter. There was also this shady underground arts dealer who spoke like a philosopher would and he was really interesting even if it was hard to construe what he really meant. So there was a mix of art and physics and philosophy which makes me think that the author is some sort of genius. I actually researched her educational background and all I can say is, “hell.”
What I didn’t like about the story is that the writing didn’t feel like a cohesive narrative and I thought some of the scenes needed fleshing out more. Like, I wanted to understand what exactly happened with Teresa 1’s wrecked career three years ago, Teresa 1 and Brian 2’s marriage, Brian 1’s college life without having met Teresa. Also, I would’ve liked the resolution, Teresa 1 and Brian 2 goodbye moment, to make more sense. I mean, Brian 2 used scientific means to build the machine that took him to Teresa 1 and then, out of the blue, there’s this magical blue ball that is Teresa 2’s spirit? I was taken aback and had to put extra effort to get back to the story.
In spite of my qualms, I thought it was a very satisfying story. I really liked the concept and the characters.
The Love of my Other Life is a “time” story. For those of you who’ve read my past reviews, you’d know that time-related stories are catnip to me—I adore them. This one is no different. Teresa is a 34-year old woman who has reached the lowest point of her life and has now decided to redeem herself, starting with her Charity Work at church. She wants to help Fr. And her elderly friends to get more funds. I immediately liked Teresa because she was relatable. I sympathized with how hopeless she was as a struggling artist (even though her comments about ‘real’ art was kind of mean) and how vulnerable her self-esteem was. I felt her frustration with how the life she imagined and the life she lived weren’t the same. She wants to help herself, but she doesn’t know how to get there. I totally get that.
Then, Brian comes. Brian is from another dimension altogether. He’s smart, quirky, and just an all-around cool guy. He essentially heals her and makes her believe in herself and her artistic talent. And when I found out exactly why he invented a machine to travel in the multiverse, I realized that Teresa was also healing him and his grief over the Teresa of his dimension. He, too, has his own issues and these are explored in the chapters about him and his life with the Other Teresa. Through all that, he even concocts a plan so that the Brian of that dimension meets with the Teresa of that dimension too (because in this dimension, they didn’t meet). I like how the author developed the relationship between the Teresas and Brians. For purposes of clarity, I’m calling the main character Teresa as Teresa 1 and the Brian of that dimension Brian 1. The Brian who creates the machine to travel across the multiverse is Brian 2 and his Teresa is Teresa 2. Alright. So, Teresa 1 and Brian 2 worked well together. Even though Brian 2 kept commenting on how Teresa 2, the one he fell in love with, was so different from Teresa 1, he was ever-supportive and loving. Both women were essentially Teresa, but they were different in ways that matter to Brian 2. Teresa 1, on her part, couldn’t help but care for someone so completely and unwaveringly in love with her, even if it was a different version of her. And when Teresa 1 and Brian 1 finally met, it was evident that they fit together better than Brian 2. So, I really like the romance/relationship aspect of this novel.
The other thing I really liked about this book is just how smart a lot of the characters are. Teresa 1 was knowledgeable in Art. She kept referencing names of artists and I didn’t know them but I could tell that they were super artsy and iconic, etc. She came off as a bit of an art snob but, hey, I thought that was very consistent with how Art majors generally (stereotypically) are. Brian 1 and 2, on the other hand, were Physics geeks. He kept making Physics jokes and even if I only got a few of them, I still found it funny. I have a soft spot for nerds so I was crushing on him badly by the fifth chapter. There was also this shady underground arts dealer who spoke like a philosopher would and he was really interesting even if it was hard to construe what he really meant. So there was a mix of art and physics and philosophy which makes me think that the author is some sort of genius. I actually researched her educational background and all I can say is, “hell.”
What I didn’t like about the story is that the writing didn’t feel like a cohesive narrative and I thought some of the scenes needed fleshing out more. Like, I wanted to understand what exactly happened with Teresa 1’s wrecked career three years ago, Teresa 1 and Brian 2’s marriage, Brian 1’s college life without having met Teresa. Also, I would’ve liked the resolution, Teresa 1 and Brian 2 goodbye moment, to make more sense. I mean, Brian 2 used scientific means to build the machine that took him to Teresa 1 and then, out of the blue, there’s this magical blue ball that is Teresa 2’s spirit? I was taken aback and had to put extra effort to get back to the story.
In spite of my qualms, I thought it was a very satisfying story. I really liked the concept and the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews