Patchy Fog

by Hadley Hoover

Does one, can one ever forget . . . dismiss . . . disdain the life-changing, mind-boggling, heart-blasting impact of a first love? Memories of it may flounder in the fog of passing years, or be consumed by the blaze of more persistent, lasting love. Whether it was ecstasy or agony, does a first love ever lose its power? Does sunlight truly obliterate fog, or does it merely push it aside until it is merely the shadows? Renita Vander Voon never expected to be asking these questions, but then her first-love reappeared. That’s when she realizes that fog obscures all but what is most the next step to take, which is something only her heart knew.

248 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2016

About the author

Thank you for your continuing interest in my stories over the years. If you enjoy them, please continue to tell your friends. If you didn't find a particular book of interest or to your taste in reading, it's always wise to "do unto others" (including authors!) as you would like others to "do unto you."
Best wishes for many happy hours of reading,
~ Hadley Hoover

Reviews

[Judy Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading nine of her novels, and even recommending them to friends, i have to admit if I had picked this one first I would not have considered the others.
My discovery of Minnesota author Hadley Hoover started with Prevailing Winds, an impulsive library choice that I spied on a Staff Picks display as I was about to check out. It was late on a cold night before a long weekend with a blizzard in the forecast, and though it seemed like a so-so choice with no awards or high profile (or any, for that matter) review quotes, it promised a change of pace and some regional, relatable references and situations. I enjoyed it. Real people, decent writing, kind of like a beach read - one step up from a formula romance novel; almost a bit of a relief from "good literature" with intense themes, serious plots, and tragically dysfunctional characters. More like an interesting real-life story revealed in a neighborhood friendship.
I reserved the other books in the series (California), and then the Prairie Rose books. Overnight reads.
But this? Patchy Fog? It was a disappointment from page one. I thought the writing was awkward, the main character (recently retired elementary school teacher, recently widowed) unbelievable and unlikable, the small town descriptions and neighbors saccharine and shallow, and the new next door neighbor that caused inexplicable turmoil for this crotchety snoop a bit hard to imagine. Renita Vander Voon is not Olive Kitteridge.
Sigh. "Hokey" came to mind early on. Seriously lacking needed depth.