Beyond Fate

Almost Perfect #2

by Jackie Weger

Overcoming the demons of the past is never easy, but when fate comes a’calling and love works its magic, two lives may be changed forever. Lust and love burn hot in this sweet, classic romance.

Fletcher Maitland, perennial bachelor, falls in lust and love with the beautiful new arrival in Big Mama’s fish camp. All he asks for is a cup of coffee. What he gets is more … much more.

Cleo Anderson lives her life in the shadow of her mother’s sin. As Cleo begins to fall in love with Fletcher Maitland, the demons in her past rise to taunt her, and she must choose between a life lived in guilt and shame or a future beyond fate.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Ebooks, Drama

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

I would rather write an obit than my bio, mostly because I'm one of the most boring souls you'll ever meet. I have been to interesting places and met interesting people, but none of it rubbed off on me. Some of those places and some of those people found their way into characters or settings in my romance novels which lends me about an inch of panache--on the table below the salt. With family or solo, I've traveled since I was about eleven. I spent years living abroad in Central America in little jungle villages absorbing the native culture and language. I spent months on off-islands and sailed in the Pacific with a friend until his sloop sank--not with us on it--thank goodness. I spent a New Year's in Montreal, a summer semester in the U.K and a few glorious days in Paris before returning Stateside to finish a degree in history, then it was off to Panama and Costa Rica. While my passport is always handy, I've settled down in Texas to be near my family. Since I'm sitting still, I've plugged in my laptop and started writing again. After an absence of a few years, I've jumped back into the publishing world which has changed dramatically. I love the changes. In the past, category romance novels had a shelf life between yogurt and ice cream, but with the advent of e-books they can live on the Web for years. I'm excited to be publishing my backlist. I'm working on a new novel. I live with a man, a dog, seven feral cats and go to Bingo on Friday night. The most exciting thing that's happened in my life recently is a cow wandered into my yard and ate my garden. See what I mean about being boring?

Reviews

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

Kindle Freebie! Awesome ratings - No Perfect Fate by Jackie Weger

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R...

Blurb...

Cleo Anderson’s people skills are hesitant and her life broken, yet she is determined to leave her past behind. Alone is good and she is finding her way. On a whim, she parks her Play-mor in a fish camp in the wilds of the Okefenokee Swamp, where gators yawn, bears slumber, and snakes slither. The camp pace is slow, the owner kind, and the people friendly. Cleo encounters Fletcher Freemont Maitland and his goddaughter, eleven year-old Katie. Cleo didn’t know her life was about to unravel yet again, her heart would shatter, and that Fletcher Maitland would help her mend. But Cleo is about to find these things out the hard way. Both Fletcher and Katie will change her life and if Cleo does not learn to accept that life is bountiful and fate imperfect, she will lose both forever.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical love story

This is my second Jackie Weger book, I'm hooked! I'm not sure how to describe this story except to say it's definitely not your typical love story or HEA. It is a love story about 2 people who are not looking for love but find it anyway, at a fishing camp. My favorite character turned out to be neither of the main characters, it was instead,11 year old funny, sassy, questioning, brutally honest, heart breaking Katie. I would recommend this story to anyone who wants to read a not so ordinary love story. I also recommend having plenty of tissue nearby.

[Catherine Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an emotionally charged book, I did a lot of crying throughout the whole book. The characters are so realistic, I could actually imagine them as people I know. The way Cleo learns to love and finally let go of her past is inspiring. She is very sweet and Fletcher is a southern boy that is so full of himself, it's actually hilarious.

I felt as if some of the storyline was not needed. It would have been a 5 star review if not for that. But in all, it is a good book. I really loved all of the characters.

I was given this book for an honest review in return.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT!!!

The novel captured my attention when I read the synopsis and even more so when I read the ‘sample.’ It started off pretty well and as I read on I came to know a little about the H/h, Cleo and Fletcher, both of whom captured my attention at the start which lead me to purchase the novel. Cleo lived with her grandmother (“Gran”) when her own mother passed away when she was 11. When you think grandmother you picture a loving and supportive woman, one who spoils her grandchild and someone to bake cookies with. Cleo’s Gran was the complete opposite; a bible thumping woman who believed that everything Cleo did was a sin, even asking about her father whom she has never met and knows nothing about is a sin. Gran puts the fear of God into Cleo. A loving grandmother and mother she is not. Her own daughter (Cleo’s mother) becomes very ill and the old lady refuses to call a doctor, the ambulance or even take her to the hospital herself. Two days later Cleo loses her mother.

Before her mother passes, she told Cleo to leave the house as soon as she can. Cleo dreamt of leaving her grandmother and finally did by going off to college. There she meets her future husband who turns out to be a complete shit as he puts her down constantly, belittles her, berating her and making her feel useless as a woman and as a wife but she’s aces when she brings home the pay cheque so that Ed can go to school full time and become lawyer. Ed pretty much rejects Cleo when it comes to having sex with her most of their marriage but once we learn he’s gay, the sex part makes sense; however, it’s still no excuse to treat your wife the way he did. Leaving Ed and having no money, no job and no degree, she once again ends up staying with her bible thumping Gran. However, one day out of the blue Cleo decides she needs to move on and leaves. She gets a camper and starts travelling around going to different parks and camp sites.

When Cleo reaches the new camp site she plans on spending the summer at, she’s accidentally pushed to the ground by Fletcher who’s trying to get away from two women chasing him; it seems Fletcher’s a lady’s man. However, when he meets Cleo for the first time, he finds himself smitten over her.

So far so good.

Cleo, who doesn’t really interact with anyone, wants to be left alone, left alone with her thoughts as she has many conversations with herself, an inner voice with whom she talks with everyday. I actually liked the conversations she had at first but after a while it became too much. I couldn’t help but think that she suffered from some type of mental issue, perhaps a split personality.
Fletcher who can get any woman he wants can’t understand why she won’t go out on a date with him, isn’t charmed by him or comes over to his cabin to take a peak; basically not gaga for him. You have to give him credit though as he never gives up. Cleo does think about him, finds him handsome and sexy but she doesn’t believe she’s worthy of falling in love again or worthy of a man like Fletcher. It’s a constant battle with herself and thoughts of her Gran and everything she preached popping up in her head is a daily reminder that she’s not deserving of anything good.

Finally, weeks later somehow Fletcher gets a date with her. He tells her about his life and after some prodding gets Cleo to open up about hers and boy does she ever; she tells Fletcher absolutely everything about herself and how she came to be at this campsite. After their talk Cleo finds herself smiling and feeling happy which leads to her and Fletcher having sex for the first time. Bomb’s away! This is where it all went to hell for me.

What does the author do? She pulls the “insta-love” crap. Fletcher falls in love with Cleo and her with him and the next thing you know they’re engaged. I have to say this...give me a fucking break (yes, this deserves the “F” word here)! This is a man who’s a serial dater and doesn’t do relationships, yet falls in love with Cleo. Cue the eye-rolls. I mean seriously people, Cleo hasn’t had sex since her ex-husband (who was also her first) and when you take into account her life growing up in a home where her Gran belittled her, constantly making her feel unworthy of love and happiness, she declares her love for him? Am I reading this right? Yes, I know this is fiction and that its part romance but come on, can we not make it somewhat believable? If that wasn’t bad enough, after having sex with Fletcher, Cleo turns into a much happier person (understandable) and a nymphomaniac (give me a break!) I mean the woman can’t get enough. I should’ve listened to my ‘inner’ voice and threw my Kindle off my balcony so it could smash into small bits and pieces as this is absolutely ridiculous. I can understand that she loved having sex and would most likely want to do it again but not to the level Cleo takes it. If that’s not bad enough, they’re married in a matter of days.

[Side note: I understand why they got married so fast as there’s another part of the novel that deals with Fletcher’s goddaughter, Katie. Everything to do with Katie was tough at times to read but she’s pretty much the only good thing about the novel I liked. I haven’t included her story in my review as I don’t want to give everything away for those who wish to read it.

(Before they get married) On the day they had lots of sex, Cleo joins Fletcher and Katie’s family for dinner and seeing how Katie’s parents could use some ‘alone’ time, Cleo mentions that Katie can stay with her for a few days to give her parents a break. Well doesn’t this get Fletcher in a snit. He’s so upset because she didn’t discuss this with him, he ignores her and doesn’t follow her to the trailer, and early in the morning ups and leaves the campsite and travels back home without a single word to Cleo, the woman he declared his love to and wants to marry. When he finally calls, his excuse is that he didn’t want to go down the same road like his parents (his mother ran their lives). Am I the only one bothered with this? I’m sorry but that was a WTF and ‘are you kidding me’ moment for me. Worse, Cleo forgives him. Bang, bang, bang....that’s my head hitting the table. I’m sorry, but this is absolutely asinine. Is it any wonder I kept deducting the stars.

I’m going to stop here and say that this was not a winner in my eyes (more like agony) which is most unfortunate as it started off pretty well. However, like always, the decision is yours on whether you should read this novel or take a pass on it.

[Claire - The Coffeeholic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleo Anderson has had it bad, after an unexpected marriage disaster. She's bound with her grandmother who thinks so little of her. When she goes on a trip in a fish swamp (have you heard about snake weathers? ugh!) she meets Fletcher Maitland under a canopy. Awkward meeting but long-lasting impression nonetheless.. And then she gets to know his goddaughter Katie.

Cleo and Fletcher are so fun to read, very dynamic characters and appealing too. I did cry a lot though because of Katie, that poor soul. How can a happy celebration of love happen in the midst of death, I had no idea.

One thing I am sure though, Jackie Weger is a master manipulator of feelings, and I meant in a good way. I love all her stories, especially this one because it tugged at my heartstrings. Would definitely read more of her books soon!

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Fate Jackie Weger.

RC supplied by author.
I hadn't read any of Jackie's books til she contacted me after reading my review of a fellow authors' books that were similar standalone romance. I loved the first one I read, Eye of the Beholder, so eagerly moved on to the second. And I wasn't disappointed. Jackies' books are something different from the romance novels currently flooding the kindle market – they are romance but with a good back story, with some sensual sex scenes that fit the plot, and each with that definitive extra that makes a five star read for me. They're not about teens – fun though they are I want to read older people finding romance too, sometimes I think most authors write as if anyone over 21 can't enjoy a romantic fling or find love. Jackies' books ( the two I've read so far anyway ) feature older people. This time it's Fletcher who's in his late 30's and Cleo who I think was around 30.
the characters in this book are great, Cleo, repressed all her life by her grandmother who she lived with along with her single mother. Her mum died young, and grandmother then raised her. She blamed Cleo's mum for having her unmarried, called it sinful and brought Cleo up to regard anything faintly sexual as sinful, and to be avoided at all costs. Cleo escaped into a marriage that didn't work out, she wanted escape her gran, he was looking for cover for his sexuality. She felt she'd failed, and after the divorce was once again escaping when her gran died, avoiding facing up to the reality of her life. She was travelling in a camper van, taking photos and writing articles for publication and on a whim turns onto a small fishing camp and meets Fletcher and his family....small things can have a huge impact on life and this changes hers...
Fletcher is staying with his close friend and wife, and their two young children. for the summer. 11 year old Katie is dying from cancer, she knows it and the way she deals is just so incredible. She needs to talk, but knows her mum is avoiding facing her death so she slowly manipulates Cleo, Fletcher and Big Momma, camp owner as confidants by getting them to help plan her demise and what will follow. Its a bitter-sweet read, she's so funny and yet so poignant too – it really shows what the impact of a serious illness does to a family, and how we all cope in different ways. Wrapped up in this humour and sadness is the slow romancing of Cleo, its hard to think anyone could write romance along with Katie's situation but this book does it perfectly. Fletcher is the consummate bachelor, saw his parents unhappy marriage and decided he was definitely not going down that route. He mocked his married friends and even went so far as to write a tongue in cheek book, telling men how to stay in control if married...then to his shock one of them turned the tables and published it, setting his reputation into print. Of course Cleo hears about it and it reinforces her resolve not to let him get close. Still, slowly Fletcher wears her down, not realising that he's getting himself straight into the situation he's avoided for so long. Usually women fall at his feet, he has the looks and the charm so he's nonplussed when Cleo doesn't, and not sure how to progress, but her appeal to him is such that he just can't give up. Thankfully he doesn't and we get some incredibly hot, sensual scenes, sexual but not smutty, erotic but not uncouth, its all beautifully written.
I felt I was there in the book, staying at the camp and living among the visitors. Its got such a feel that I almost imagined the characters as people I knew. They made me laugh, especially Katie and with her situation laughing is something you'd not think possible. I cried when things went wrong, sniggered at the silliness of some situations, and loved when Cleo and Fletcher finally got together. Even that was one step forward two back though, because of Cleos' upbringing. They're a couple that on paper should never work and yet they do. There are a few characters that only fleetingly appear and yet the detail to them is just a good as Jackie has written for the main ones.
If you love your romance with a beautiful and well thought out story, your characters to be older than teens/twenties, and sex to be sensual not crass then this book is one for you. If book three reads the same way, and I hope it does, Jackie will become one of my favourite romance authors. Priced at £2.68 for 232 kindle pages its excellent value and is one for my keepers files for re reading.
Stars: five all the way!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleo sets up in a campground in deep Georgia along the Suwanee River and meets Fletcher on the first day. He's instantly smitten but she's got a complicated past that prevents her from moving forward in her life. F's love helps her to overcome this.

While this is very well written, the romance aspect gets overshadowed by the events that are connected to the main characters: a young girl's dying wishes, an escaped prisoner, and a looming forest fire. Any one of these would have been enough to see how C and F deal with it and each other -- the most poignant of course is F's dying God-daughter. F isn't all that interesting a character. Cleo's significantly more interesting to read.

For a "romance" this is a really really really sad book. The excitement that should be surrounding C and F's whirlwind romance is dampened by the impending death of Katie.

I'm not a huge fan of insta-love and I prefer a great deal more romance in my romances. But this is well-written, if not a bit over-written. The story of the escaped prisoner was unnecessary.

[sarah parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable book even under the circumstances of the terminally ill child. The child is what makes this book so enjoyable and memorable. The author did a wonderful job capturing the innocence of this child, on a level not many of us stop to consider in children. The impending death of a child can never be easy for anyone, yet this story delivered a completely different approach for such a time. The story in-between is humorous, and characters are fun. I liked the lack of violence, though situations do occur. Just the right amount of suspense for me.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good today as it was decades ago. A well written love story that is not JUST a love story. The setting is a fishing camp in the south and in some ways the child dealing with a huge life issue steals the show. Jackie Weger is a master storyteller. Definitely worth reading more than once and keeping to read again in the future.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad funny touching read....and one dynamic little girl who could teach us all a little something.

[Elena Johansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had so many issues with this; I expected a romance, and I did not get one.

1. Cleo and Fletcher have zero chemistry. He keeps throwing fancy words and smooth lines at her--his "lawyer talk"--and she tries to fight back but never rises to the occasion, or to his level of witticism. The dynamic made me uncomfortable; lots of successful partnerships have one person who is smarter/more intellectual than the other, but this was just rubbing my face in it. Especially with how Cleo's ex-husband is also a lawyer, wouldn't she be more gun-shy of someone like Fletcher? And if that's not supposed to be a conflict standing between them, why does he share his occupation with her ex? Why write that in if it doesn't matter?

2. Most of the book is not actually about Cleo and Fletcher. If Katie's illness and eventual passing were supposed to be a moving sub-plot, they take up far too much time and distract from the romance; even going so far, at the end, as to speed the lovebirds into marriage. Was I supposed to cry there? Am I heartless? Because it all just struck me as a terrible idea, and I didn't like Katie. She was irritating, entitled, and petulant; yeah, dealing with a terminal illness that young does things to you, but if I'm supposed to like Katie just because she's dying, I don't. Maybe she was a great kid before that. Maybe she wasn't. I don't have any reason to be invested in her, especially since she's clearly supposed to be the star of the book, when I thought I was getting a romance between adults instead of a shallow sob story about a brave little dying girl.

3. Back to Cleo and Fletcher--their lack of chemistry is highlighted by the abrupt cut-away from sex scenes. I've read and enjoyed plenty of romances that don't have explicit sex, or don't include sex at all; but given how Fletcher constantly talked about it (past a certain point in the courtship) and loaded all his innuendos for maximum titillation, I was honestly surprised when the first time they did it read as this is happening! [paragraph break] afterward, they were mellow... If an author chooses not to write sex scenes, for whatever reason, fine; but write around them convincingly, instead of leaving gaping holes in the narrative where they're supposed to be.

4. Katie's parents entrust their dying daughter to Cleo for an open-ended length of time while they take a "romantic, let's forget our daughter is dying" getaway? WHAT?!? You've known Cleo how long? Disclaimer: I'm not a parent. BUT WHAT THE HELL WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? HOW IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

5. The original reason Cleo and Fletcher are introduced, as well as the original conflict--the joke book he wrote about marriage--is forgotten for most of the story. Cleo eventually reads it, brings it up once in conversation (after Fletcher has already summarily decided and announced that they'll be getting married, this is it for him) and then poof! not a problem anymore. Fletcher, at that point, is clearly a changed man, even to my eye (bored and jaded by this story as it is) but his change actually all comes from within--meeting Cleo was the catalyst, but he fell so hard for her (for whatever reason) that he decided to chuck all his anti-marriage ideals and become good husband material for her. EVEN THOUGH SHE DIDN'T INDICATE SHE WANTED HIM TO. This whole thing reads like he railroads her into marriage; especially with the added weight of the dying-goddaughter sub-plot. Which is gross, and does not a romance make.

6. Cleo's ex-husband. She caught him cheating with a man. Now, points where points are due; when Fletcher hears the story, he refers to the ex as bisexual, the "b" word that almost no book ever uses. However, it's not clear whether the ex is or not, because Cleo describes their sex life as dull and infrequent, implying that he didn't find her attractive; but whether that's personal to her, or a sign of distaste for women in general, is not made clear. It's also not clear what's the worst issue at play: a) the cheating itself; b) that the "other woman" was a guy; or c) as stated by a single line and never referenced again, that the guy was significantly younger, possibly a teenager. I'm on board for breaking up over cheating; I'm on board for having a rational discussion about the ex's sexual identity and possibly ending the relationship because they're not compatible; I AM DEFINITELY ON BOARD FOR CHUCKING OVER A PEDOPHILE. But which is it? Because they're not all equal!

7. Minor, but worth mentioning; the cover. I bought this ebook for cheap on sale on the strength of its blurb, not because the cover caught my eye; it's odd for a romance, and definitely cheap-looking and basic. Having read the book, now, I know those are Katie's angel wings on the cover, that she was so obsessed with getting upon her death that her shroud-dress had slits for them--another sign, right on the cover, that this book is less about the romance and more about Katie than anything else.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance, Family Drama, and camping

Cleo was raised by a Bible toting Grandma who made her feel insecure by berating her and making her believe everything was sinful.

Fletcher is a Playboy with no intentions of settling down. He's famous for writing a book titled " for men only: a hundred and one ways to stay married and still do what you want".

Both Cleo and Fletcher seem a little nuts. Cleo hears voices which makes me think she might be a little schizophrenic or have a split personality. Fletcher acts like a control freak - psycho. One example is when he lets the air out of Cleo's tires to keep her from going anywhere. He has a very bad opinion of women and definitely was not a catch.

I wasn't sure what to make of this story and if it wasn't for 11 year old Katie and the story involving her, then I probably would have stopped reading. The actual Romance between Cleo and Fletcher only deserves approximately 2 Stars.

[JoAnne Gour · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that has anything new to say, or uses a different formula for talking about love, this isn't it. Trite, silly, obvious, with a dying young girl, an angry felon on the loose and a huge fire to boot. The main character is supposed to be religious, or at least was brought up that way, yet has make-up, wears frilly short shorts, and turns out to be gorgeous to boot. The man who 'courts' her, does so with some pretty sketchy and down-right creepy ways of expressing how attracted he is to her by pushing his erection onto her. Yes, he does 'slow down' if you can call a few days of getting her to capitulate, slowing down. I gave it more than one star because I was able to get through this mercifully short book.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one on my kindle. As I started reading, I thought it seemed a little dated. Some of the attitudes towards women and the dialogue gave it away. I checked the copyright and found out it was published in the 80's. However, occasionally there would be things mentioned like websites, blogs, emails, and cell phones. It would seem the author tried to modernize it a little. Unfortunately those things just seemed a little off from the story.

2025 52 Book Challenge: #4 Title starts with the letter "N"

[Joe Vitucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to stop reading books when one of the things they have for starters is a puritanical parent. This one had a little humor, so I kept reading. I'm glad I did.
How can you laugh out loud reading a book where one of the main things happening is a little girl dying? This book is so sad, yet so funny, and has so much tension of one kind or another. Life goes on, despite some bad things. I really liked this book.

[constance m slagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely...

Ms. Weber penned a story that reached into my soul and touched my heart. By the end of the book I felt as if Cleo, Fletcher and their friends were my dear friends, as well. And Katie, the bravest of little girls, could bring you to tears, while in the next moment have you laughing out loud at one of her outrageous remarks. This truly is a lovely book!

[Brian Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

☺☺☺☺☺

A really good read comes from a balance of a good story and engaging characters. When the plot pulls you in and the characters start to be friends you're rooting for, when you can't wait to see what happens but don't want it to end, you have a realignment read. Jackie shows once again that she understands, and that she can deliver.

[Vi Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, touching, thought provoking,

A repressed young woman comes into her own and learns to love. A young man discovers the true meaning of real love. Both discover life viewed through different lenses gives different meanings than what first appeared. A child teaches both adults how to open the doors to life.

[sharon murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romance

This starts out lighthearted and fun but takes on some serious life changes. I found myself deeply involved in these characters. It's worth your time to read this really great story.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who ever came up with the idea of combining romance, laughter, tears and a young girl with cancer. Yet, Ms. Weger does that and you fall in love with the younger heroine of this story. The background this author has is what adds depth to her voice and stories!

[Betty Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story

If could give this book six stars I would do so. What a great love story. What a great life story. Even with all the sadness love shone through. Keep writing. I will keep reading.

[Sandra Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This story made me laugh and cry. It made me think. This author has a special way with reaching into the reader's heart. I appreciate a love story that does not include explicit sexual scenes.
She developed the characters so well, they seemed real.

[Enid L. Lapham · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Suwannee

Romance, sorrow, mystery, even long last family! It's all here. Fun to read and kept me engaged. A few instances of poor sentence structure, but not enough to make me stop reading.

[Kerry Jenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and thoughtful tale

This book started slowly and I wondered whether to continue. But the author weaved her magic and the wonderful wonderful story unfolded. With sensitivity and humour these engaging characters emerged from the pages…. I was enthralled.

[Charlotte Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great romance with a heartfelt back story. Viewing a life altering event through a precocious, manipulative eleven year old’s eyes was done brilliantly. Katie’s character will reside in my heart for a long, long time.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal!! Loved it!! My first but certainly not last Jackie Weger!!

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read!

A lovely, sweet! Modern day romance. Looking forward to another book by this author. I would highly recommend it. Bye.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but fun

[Catherine Geist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This is one of the best books so ever read.It has love,dispair,suspence. It will have you tearful by the end I never put it down once I started it.

[Diane Bleyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special book & story

This book had so much-- fun, heartache, a child's faith and wisdom, learning to love oneself and others. I had to use tissues several times.