Mitch, Jeff, Kay.... Damn what an emotionally captivating love triangle. The main reason I hate love triangles is because they're usually done purely for the author's advantage, not so much the sake of the story, plot, or characters. This one is different, purposeful, meaningful. It was the heart of the story, So, don't let it deter you from giving this book a chance.
I loved that this story was told in one book... No cliffhanger or open end for more. Romantic plot is resolved and the future looks bright for the world.
The author did a fantastic job fleshing out the characters in such a short timeframe. I think the diary entries/letters really helped readers connect with Kay & feel her loss, confusion, strengths, weaknesses, and newfound outlook on her future.
For the most part, this book is about the struggle to move past loss & allow the heart second chances. It takes an unexpected turn and becomes about the difference between settling for contentment in comfort, familiarity -or- having awakening passion with someone. For the male MC, it's a struggle of conscious, promises, and loyalty. There were some heartbreaking moments for all the characters as love and loyalty constantly collide and clash. Again, the author did a great job with 'feel' vs 'tell' writing.
It was a nice romantic read with fairly clean sexual scenes.. Nothing too wild or boisterous for the tame crowd. Steamy, but no Fifty Shades style lovemaking;)
My one complaint... the road to the end!
What I didn't like was that the guy who opted to leave did so in a way that put the female MC through unnecessary grief and left her without any way of knowing he was remotely an option.
Her thought was that he was headed to a place she couldn't possibly go and that there wouldn't be any hope of finding him any time soon, if ever. I didn't like that he, by all intent and purpose, took her CHOICE away from her. I understand why he felt like he owed them a chance or closure, I just did not like the 'how' he did it.
What if she would've snuck off and risked her life to go after him? What if she thought he didn't love her enough to fight so she'd go with the guy that stuck around because of fear, desperation, and heartbreak? What if she would've chosen to go be a big city doctor?
Just Too, Too many what ifs for such a stupid risk when he could've given them the space they need for resolution without the extremely risky disappearing act that not only took being with him off the table in her mind, but could've put her in danger.
^ It made the ending somewhat dissatisfying for me personally because it seemed that it was more happenstance in her choices of what NOT to have that she ended up where she did in the end vs a situation where he chooses her and she chooses him. Some may see this differently; So, read it and come to your own conclusion!
Despite my complaint, I'd still recommend the book because I still loved all the characters & the story. It was well worth the read.