They’ve worked together for two years, but that’s all they have in common. Like oil and water, they just don’t mix. Julie thinks he’s a shallow flirt, Mark thinks she’s a cold fish. Despite their mutual dislike, they’ve carved out a civil work relationship at the restaurant. But after each of their inner worlds suffer a jolt; the careful, polite kitchen routine becomes a stew of conflicting emotions. Things are about to get interesting.
The cast of characters from Nancy Bolton’s, "A Work In Progress," seems bound to involve us in the individual stories of their lives, ‘til with one broad-palette-knife-stroke across the canvas of her novel Ms. Bolton blends their lives into a riveting tale of sorrows and trials, laced with underlying love, joy, and hope in the journey.
Rarely do I read a book that plumbs the depths of my conscience and causes me to ask “How do I apply what I’ve just read to my life?” But," A Work In Progress" does just that. In the affluent society in which we live, we’ve all become snobs, as Julie labels Mark. Snobs absorbed in our own lives, unaware of the countless needy people around us. But Ms. Bolton snatches the blinders off and sweeps us into real lives, needs, and passions we ignore.
Most certainly she’s not going to leave us at the titillating end of this book. She weaves an intriguing, yet realistic, story—a passionate love story—that screams for a series or at least a sequel. Great story. Great read. Great Book. With the promise of more to come from this very talented author and story teller? I certainly hope so.
Tempers flare as opposites attract In Nancy Shew Bolton’s latest novel A Work in Progress.
Julie and Mark have formed opinions of each other based on incorrect information. He thinks she’s cold; she thinks he’s just out for fun not caring who he hurts. He becomes curious about what she’s doing at night with all the leftovers from the restaurant where they work. At first he thinks she’s stealing, then he sees Julie in a whole different way.
Ms. Bolton takes an interesting subject and weaves it into a wonderful story. The added touch of the little boy both characters help gives extra warmth to the delicately selected prose.
I liked the story idea and the characters, but had some real complaints about it. Mainly that the story wasn't long enough to really handle the subjects discussed. Had this been a full-length novel, I think I would have loved it. As it stands, I wish there were fewer heavy subjects so they could be better addressed. It seemed like too many serious matters crammed in and then brushed off. For example, the panic attack, all of Kevin's issues, Julie's past love life, the issue of hunger, etc. Because of these issues, I give this book 2.5 stars.
I will have a full review video up within a month on Life is Story and will post a link here when it's live.
I enjoyed Julie and Mark's story, although I was a bit confused with some of the terminology used through the story and had to consult a dictionary. But other than that it brought a serious issue of hunger to the forefront as well as how we all can judge people before we see the whole picture. Another great read in this series. Matilda Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More