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A Seventy-Five Percent Solution
As victims of their parents’ unhappy marriage, both Joanne and Kate grow up with very different views of what love is but also what it is not. Kate now believes love to be a trap into which she vows never to fall, while Joanne, desperate for affection, grows up believing no one could ever fall in love with her. However, after a whirlwind romance, the handsome and charismatic Steve asks Joanne to marry him. It seems to her a once-in-a-lifetime chance to escape from her bullying father and realise all her dreams. Dismissing her sister’s reservations and determined to make it work, Joanne ignores the cracks that begin to appear in her marriage. That is until the day all of her illusions are blown apart and she must face the bitter truth, then attempt to make a new life for herself. The promise of redemption whispers in her ear, but she soon realises that before she can step into her future, she must turn and confront her past.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2017
37 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Julia Brannan
17 books334 followersJulia has been a voracious reader since childhood, using books to escape the miseries of a turbulent adolescence. After leaving university with a degree in English Language and Literature, she spent her twenties trying to be a sensible and responsible person, even going so far as to work for the Civil Service for six years.
Then she gave up trying to conform, resigned her well-paid but boring job and resolved to spend the rest of her life living as she wanted to, not as others would like her to. She has since had a variety of jobs, including telesales, Post Office clerk, primary school teacher, and painter and gilder.
In her spare time she is still a voracious reader, and enjoys keeping fit, exploring the beautiful countryside around her home, and travelling the world. Life hasn’t always been good, but it has rarely been boring. Until recently she lived in the beautiful Brecon Beacons in Wales, but in June she moved to Scotland, and now lives in a log cabin in rural Aberdeenshire, so has new countryside to explore!
A few years ago she decided that rather than just escape into other people’s books, she would quite like to create some of her own and so combined her passion for history and literature to write the Jacobite Chronicles. She’s now writing the side stories of some of the minor characters, and is researching for her next series, The Road to Rebellion, which will go back to the start of the whole Jacobite movement.
People seem to enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoys writing them, so now, apart from a tiny amount of editing work, she is a full-time writer. She has plunged into the contemporary genre too, but her first love will always be historical fiction.
Then she gave up trying to conform, resigned her well-paid but boring job and resolved to spend the rest of her life living as she wanted to, not as others would like her to. She has since had a variety of jobs, including telesales, Post Office clerk, primary school teacher, and painter and gilder.
In her spare time she is still a voracious reader, and enjoys keeping fit, exploring the beautiful countryside around her home, and travelling the world. Life hasn’t always been good, but it has rarely been boring. Until recently she lived in the beautiful Brecon Beacons in Wales, but in June she moved to Scotland, and now lives in a log cabin in rural Aberdeenshire, so has new countryside to explore!
A few years ago she decided that rather than just escape into other people’s books, she would quite like to create some of her own and so combined her passion for history and literature to write the Jacobite Chronicles. She’s now writing the side stories of some of the minor characters, and is researching for her next series, The Road to Rebellion, which will go back to the start of the whole Jacobite movement.
People seem to enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoys writing them, so now, apart from a tiny amount of editing work, she is a full-time writer. She has plunged into the contemporary genre too, but her first love will always be historical fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2017
An Unexpectedly Good Read
I've read Brannan's series The Jacobite Chronicles and have really enjoyed her writing, but had overlooked this book because it's not my usual genre of choice. Then Brennan advertised that it was free for a few days, so I figured why not? I wish I had given it a chance earlier. It was such an emotional and interesting read and got me thinking about how people become who they are. Following Joanne's life was heartbreaking, but also hopeful. I liked that Brannan didn't say away from describing the brutal abuse from Steve, while really delving into her reason for staying. From an outsider, it is baffling, but it further showed how such actions against a person can truly break their self-esteem and make them see such actions as acceptable. Should this be read as a self-help for someone in an abusive relationship - no. It's a fictional story, with a fairly dramatic (but satisfying) ending. But it is a book that illustrates that even in our worst moments their can still be hope and that learning to love yourself and accept the choices you've made is half the battle.
I've read Brannan's series The Jacobite Chronicles and have really enjoyed her writing, but had overlooked this book because it's not my usual genre of choice. Then Brennan advertised that it was free for a few days, so I figured why not? I wish I had given it a chance earlier. It was such an emotional and interesting read and got me thinking about how people become who they are. Following Joanne's life was heartbreaking, but also hopeful. I liked that Brannan didn't say away from describing the brutal abuse from Steve, while really delving into her reason for staying. From an outsider, it is baffling, but it further showed how such actions against a person can truly break their self-esteem and make them see such actions as acceptable. Should this be read as a self-help for someone in an abusive relationship - no. It's a fictional story, with a fairly dramatic (but satisfying) ending. But it is a book that illustrates that even in our worst moments their can still be hope and that learning to love yourself and accept the choices you've made is half the battle.
May 21, 2020
Well written and hard to read
As usual Brannan utilizes her terrific skills to build a plot and define characters that are deeply identifiable. The plot and portrayals are very well done. The subject matter is disturbing. To empathize with someone caught in spousal abuse is hard enough but to become imbedded in the day to day acting out of such abuse over years of hopeless repetitious destruction is a major downer. The book ended with a survivor however it offered no sense of hope for redemption for either the abuser or the abused. Perhaps that is truly how real life is. I don’t find fault with this book or story-I would just like an offer of some hope for the future.
As usual Brannan utilizes her terrific skills to build a plot and define characters that are deeply identifiable. The plot and portrayals are very well done. The subject matter is disturbing. To empathize with someone caught in spousal abuse is hard enough but to become imbedded in the day to day acting out of such abuse over years of hopeless repetitious destruction is a major downer. The book ended with a survivor however it offered no sense of hope for redemption for either the abuser or the abused. Perhaps that is truly how real life is. I don’t find fault with this book or story-I would just like an offer of some hope for the future.
February 23, 2025
Wow!
I loved Julia's Jacobite Chronicles series so much that I've read them several times. I love historical fiction and only decided to read this contemporary book because Julia is the author. As with the Jacobite Chronicles, I was hooked from the start and devoured this book. So well written. So many emotions course through you as you read this. Julia, brava!!! Well done!! I can't wait to immerse myself into more of your books.
I loved Julia's Jacobite Chronicles series so much that I've read them several times. I love historical fiction and only decided to read this contemporary book because Julia is the author. As with the Jacobite Chronicles, I was hooked from the start and devoured this book. So well written. So many emotions course through you as you read this. Julia, brava!!! Well done!! I can't wait to immerse myself into more of your books.
June 5, 2017
I'm a huge fan of this author so bought this book even though it was not a subject I would usually read about. I was not disappointed. This is extremely well written and the characters are believable and you do get totally drawn into the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone and have already bought a copy for a friend of mine!
October 8, 2019
I chose to read this book after finishing the Jacobite series. The story is well written and is centered upon a difficult topic. I wondered about the title throughout the book and then learned at the end that it is a positive reflection on an unsettling statistic. Generally I try to avoid reading about violence, but I think this book has a very important message.
February 17, 2021
This is a must read! Had me from page one and although I loved the Jacobite Chronicles by Julia Brannan, this book from a different genre is absolutely amazing. Thrilling, unexpected but also at times so realistic and topical that it is impossible not to keep reading way into the early hours to see what happens next!
May 6, 2017
Gripping story
A story for every women, giving an insite into a problem that still, sadly plaques our society. For those blessed, never having experienced it, but lack understanding of those that have.
A story for every women, giving an insite into a problem that still, sadly plaques our society. For those blessed, never having experienced it, but lack understanding of those that have.
December 18, 2017
Excellent!
Ms. Brannan has proved she can write about any topic! I loved the Jacobite Series, and I am now impressed at her ability to write a modern story. This story had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Excellent!
Ms. Brannan has proved she can write about any topic! I loved the Jacobite Series, and I am now impressed at her ability to write a modern story. This story had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Excellent!
March 6, 2018
Different to her Jacobite Chronicles but a good read
Different to her Jacobite Chronicles but a good read. I look forward to her new books and can't wait for the last Jacobite Chronicle.
Different to her Jacobite Chronicles but a good read. I look forward to her new books and can't wait for the last Jacobite Chronicle.
September 10, 2018
Different
From the authors other works but just as descriptive and intriguing. The voice of Joanne, the victim, is strong and nice to read a positive story from the victims point of view
From the authors other works but just as descriptive and intriguing. The voice of Joanne, the victim, is strong and nice to read a positive story from the victims point of view
May 21, 2017
A good weekend or holiday read
Good storytelling that makes you want to keep going until the end. Well done Julia a great holiday novel for a light read.
Good storytelling that makes you want to keep going until the end. Well done Julia a great holiday novel for a light read.
December 17, 2018
Great!
I sat on this one for a while but could not put it down once I started. Although I will admit that I'd read anything Julia wrote because I can always expect a great story!
I sat on this one for a while but could not put it down once I started. Although I will admit that I'd read anything Julia wrote because I can always expect a great story!
May 21, 2017
My favourite book so far....
Brilliant read I couldn't put it down.
It's different from Julia's fabulous 'Jacaobite Chronicles' (which I love) but even so I think it's worth breaking away from the usual genre and reading this.
Download it on kindle this book is a treasure......
Brilliant read I couldn't put it down.
It's different from Julia's fabulous 'Jacaobite Chronicles' (which I love) but even so I think it's worth breaking away from the usual genre and reading this.
Download it on kindle this book is a treasure......
August 26, 2025
This was a really important book ! Her understanding The forms of domestic violence described rings so , so true snd resonates with so many victims . It is a masterful work and has and will help many victims maybe even a few perpetrators . Incredible work ! Thank you !
July 12, 2017
A Seventy-Five Percent Solution by Julia Brannan has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"A compelling read."
"Well written and had me turning the pages to find out what would happen next."
"I hope there will be more contemporary books by this author."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"A compelling read."
"Well written and had me turning the pages to find out what would happen next."
"I hope there will be more contemporary books by this author."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
August 7, 2017
Loved this book. Could hardly put it down. Hard to believe this still goes on in our world today, but sadly it does. Well written.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews