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The Two Faces of Love
In her debut novel, Laura Thrash investigates love, loss, friendship, and second chances.
Ada Cameron’s life was perfect. Okay, maybe not perfect, but it was going pretty much according to plan. She and her life-long-best-friend, Daisy, had each married their high school sweethearts and taught elementary school right across the hall from one another. Ada and her husband, Troy, were completely in love, utterly devoted to each other, and excited to create a family together. Life was everything she had imagined, until one day, it all came crashing down. Ada has to learn how to grieve the life she had, the life she wanted, and her incredible love.
Now, two years later, Ada is trying to create a new version of her life, one without Troy. When Ada’s friends push her to start dating again, it seems that she will never find another love as strong as the one she had.
Following new dreams, Ada spends the summer in a nearby town taking graduate art courses, where she finds herself with new friends, new opportunities, and a new mysterious love-interest. Can Ada move on from Troy and find love again, or was what she had once-in-a-lifetime?
Ada Cameron’s life was perfect. Okay, maybe not perfect, but it was going pretty much according to plan. She and her life-long-best-friend, Daisy, had each married their high school sweethearts and taught elementary school right across the hall from one another. Ada and her husband, Troy, were completely in love, utterly devoted to each other, and excited to create a family together. Life was everything she had imagined, until one day, it all came crashing down. Ada has to learn how to grieve the life she had, the life she wanted, and her incredible love.
Now, two years later, Ada is trying to create a new version of her life, one without Troy. When Ada’s friends push her to start dating again, it seems that she will never find another love as strong as the one she had.
Following new dreams, Ada spends the summer in a nearby town taking graduate art courses, where she finds herself with new friends, new opportunities, and a new mysterious love-interest. Can Ada move on from Troy and find love again, or was what she had once-in-a-lifetime?
431 pages, Paperback
Published December 9, 2024
6 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 4, 2025
The story centers around Ada Cameron, a woman whose idyllic existence is upended by tragedy. The author skillfully captures the emotional turmoil that accompanies grief, as Ada grapples with the loss of her husband, Troy, and the life they had envisioned together. The narrative begins with a vivid portrayal of Ada’s former happiness, setting the stage for the profound changes that will follow. This initial contrast serves to heighten the impact of her subsequent struggles, making her journey all the more relatable and heart-wrenching.
As the story progresses, the readers witness Ada’s attempts to rebuild her life in the wake of her loss. Two years after Troy’s death, she is encouraged by her friends to step back into the dating world, a prospect that fills her with both hope and trepidation. The author adeptly illustrates the complexities of moving on, as Ada wrestles with the fear that she may never find love as deep and meaningful as what she shared with Troy.
The summer spent in a nearby town taking graduate art courses serves as a transformative period for Ada. There, she encounters new friends and experiences that challenge her to redefine her identity beyond being a widow. The art classes become a metaphor for Ada’s emotional reconstruction, allowing her to explore her feelings and ultimately find solace in creativity.
Amidst her personal growth, Ada also finds herself drawn to a new love interest, a mysterious figure who embodies the potential for new beginnings. The author masterfully builds tension around this budding romance, leaving readers to ponder whether Ada can truly open her heart again.
The writing style is both lyrical and accessible, making this book a compelling read. The author’s ability to convey complex emotions with clarity allows readers to connect deeply with Ada’s journey. The supporting characters, particularly Daisy, serve as a source of strength and encouragement, highlighting the importance of friendship during times of hardship.
The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding love again, even after profound heartache. I highly recommend it to everyone.
As the story progresses, the readers witness Ada’s attempts to rebuild her life in the wake of her loss. Two years after Troy’s death, she is encouraged by her friends to step back into the dating world, a prospect that fills her with both hope and trepidation. The author adeptly illustrates the complexities of moving on, as Ada wrestles with the fear that she may never find love as deep and meaningful as what she shared with Troy.
The summer spent in a nearby town taking graduate art courses serves as a transformative period for Ada. There, she encounters new friends and experiences that challenge her to redefine her identity beyond being a widow. The art classes become a metaphor for Ada’s emotional reconstruction, allowing her to explore her feelings and ultimately find solace in creativity.
Amidst her personal growth, Ada also finds herself drawn to a new love interest, a mysterious figure who embodies the potential for new beginnings. The author masterfully builds tension around this budding romance, leaving readers to ponder whether Ada can truly open her heart again.
The writing style is both lyrical and accessible, making this book a compelling read. The author’s ability to convey complex emotions with clarity allows readers to connect deeply with Ada’s journey. The supporting characters, particularly Daisy, serve as a source of strength and encouragement, highlighting the importance of friendship during times of hardship.
The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of finding love again, even after profound heartache. I highly recommend it to everyone.
May 30, 2025
It is an emotionally rich and immersive novel that beautifully captures the journey of healing, self-discovery, and the resilience of the human heart. Through the life of Ada Cameron—a widowed elementary school teacher still reeling from the loss of her beloved husband—the author presents a narrative that is both heart wrenching & hopeful.
Ada’s reluctance to re-enter the dating world is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity. Her encounter with Calin, a man whose charm quickly fades into controlling & unnerving behavior, adds suspense to the story while subtly reflecting the dangers of modern online dating. What truly shines through, however, is Ada’s inner strength. Her close friendship with Daisy adds warmth & emotional support, providing light-hearted relief amid the deeper, more serious undertones of grief & trauma.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the way it balances romance, mystery, and personal growth. The writing is engaging, the pacing steady, and the characters richly drawn. Ada’s decision to attend a summer art course on Hartlyn Island becomes a transformative experience—offering not only a change of scenery but also a chance to reconnect with her long-buried passion for art. The vivid setting, the welcoming community, and the gentle reawakening of Ada’s spirit add depth and beauty to the narrative.
The author also skillfully weaves in themes of personal safety, intuition, and empowerment. Ada’s growing discomfort with Calin’s uninvited advances is handled with care, showcasing how important it is to listen to one’s instincts and establish boundaries.
At its core, *The Two Faces of Love* is about learning to trust again—not just others, but oneself. It's about finding joy in new beginnings while still honoring the past. With tender prose and relatable characters, the author delivers a heartwarming and inspiring tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to heal, love, and move forward.
This novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary women's fiction and emotional dramas with strong female leads and hopeful endings.
Ada’s reluctance to re-enter the dating world is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity. Her encounter with Calin, a man whose charm quickly fades into controlling & unnerving behavior, adds suspense to the story while subtly reflecting the dangers of modern online dating. What truly shines through, however, is Ada’s inner strength. Her close friendship with Daisy adds warmth & emotional support, providing light-hearted relief amid the deeper, more serious undertones of grief & trauma.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the way it balances romance, mystery, and personal growth. The writing is engaging, the pacing steady, and the characters richly drawn. Ada’s decision to attend a summer art course on Hartlyn Island becomes a transformative experience—offering not only a change of scenery but also a chance to reconnect with her long-buried passion for art. The vivid setting, the welcoming community, and the gentle reawakening of Ada’s spirit add depth and beauty to the narrative.
The author also skillfully weaves in themes of personal safety, intuition, and empowerment. Ada’s growing discomfort with Calin’s uninvited advances is handled with care, showcasing how important it is to listen to one’s instincts and establish boundaries.
At its core, *The Two Faces of Love* is about learning to trust again—not just others, but oneself. It's about finding joy in new beginnings while still honoring the past. With tender prose and relatable characters, the author delivers a heartwarming and inspiring tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to heal, love, and move forward.
This novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary women's fiction and emotional dramas with strong female leads and hopeful endings.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews