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From Day One
"This debut novel by J. Lynn Stamper is heartbreakingly beautiful. What begins as a story of the romance between two people that met young and grew up loving one another, smoothly transitions into a deeply moving and realistic portrayal of one woman's struggle with her own demons and inability to fully let go. Readers of Jodi Picoult and Colleen Hoover's dark, female centered stories, will feel every moment of this book. Get it, and read it now."
Christina Kaye, award-winning novelist
Allison West has always been a model student, patient older sister, and an obedient daughter, despite her family's painful history. She prides herself on her sense of order and believes in the importance of following the rules. Always eager to please others and expecting very little in return, she thrives on the predictability of her life.
That is, until Christmas 1990 when twelve-year-old Allison meets a slightly older aspiring musician, Henry Hawthorne. This chance encounter evokes strong emotions in Allison that make her long for something outside of her routinely mundane life.
Not only is Allison preoccupied with Henry’s serendipitous entry into her life, she also becomes obsessed with his family’s sudden move to Berryhill. For some strange reason, he and his family never discuss their lives prior to their abrupt and unexplained relocation to her tiny one-stop hometown. Eventually, Allison can no longer hide her undeniable attraction to Henry. She’s always been the “good girl” but now, her emotions cannot be contained within her tidy, neatly organized world.
However, when Henry invites her to his family’s lavish estate, she gives in to her passion for him, awakening feelings she’s never experienced before. Finally, what began as a childhood crush becomes a romance that rivals history’s greatest love stories.
As the years go by, their relationship unravels, and Allison misses the closeness she and Henry once shared. Reluctantly, she decides to move on with her life, lands a successful career at NASA, and slowly begins to believe she will be fine on her own. But she is haunted by her time with Henry, and she desperately needs to know his reason for breaking her heart.
If Allison can’t find the closure she needs, she will be fated to a life of empty promises and loneliness, and she’ll forever lose the man she loved FROM DAY ONE.
Christina Kaye, award-winning novelist
Allison West has always been a model student, patient older sister, and an obedient daughter, despite her family's painful history. She prides herself on her sense of order and believes in the importance of following the rules. Always eager to please others and expecting very little in return, she thrives on the predictability of her life.
That is, until Christmas 1990 when twelve-year-old Allison meets a slightly older aspiring musician, Henry Hawthorne. This chance encounter evokes strong emotions in Allison that make her long for something outside of her routinely mundane life.
Not only is Allison preoccupied with Henry’s serendipitous entry into her life, she also becomes obsessed with his family’s sudden move to Berryhill. For some strange reason, he and his family never discuss their lives prior to their abrupt and unexplained relocation to her tiny one-stop hometown. Eventually, Allison can no longer hide her undeniable attraction to Henry. She’s always been the “good girl” but now, her emotions cannot be contained within her tidy, neatly organized world.
However, when Henry invites her to his family’s lavish estate, she gives in to her passion for him, awakening feelings she’s never experienced before. Finally, what began as a childhood crush becomes a romance that rivals history’s greatest love stories.
As the years go by, their relationship unravels, and Allison misses the closeness she and Henry once shared. Reluctantly, she decides to move on with her life, lands a successful career at NASA, and slowly begins to believe she will be fine on her own. But she is haunted by her time with Henry, and she desperately needs to know his reason for breaking her heart.
If Allison can’t find the closure she needs, she will be fated to a life of empty promises and loneliness, and she’ll forever lose the man she loved FROM DAY ONE.
294 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2021
2 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
J. Lynn Stamper
1 book13 followersMy family moved up and down the East Coast due to my father's US Naval career for most of my early childhood. In 1992, he retired and we settled in Hampton Roads Virginia. It was then, in the eighth grade, that I met my husband. Together, we attended high school where I graduated with highest honors and secured a scholarship to Christopher Newport University while he enrolled in trade school at the shipyard. At CNU, I graduated with a B.A. in English and a concentration in writing. As soon as I graduated, we got married.
I had always hoped to obtain a career that involved my passion for writing but, 'adulting' won over and my career has mainly consisted of human resources, operations, and administrative work. I truly never thought that becoming a writer would ever happen.
August 2020, I decided to sit down and write just one chapter and see how I felt about it. If I thought it was something that I could continue then I would keep writing and if not, no harm, no foul. As I wrote, my creativity awakened as it had when I was a teen writing poems and short stories. It was exciting to see where my story would take me. After years of doubting myself, putting my husband and two beautiful children first, I finally decided to take the leap and complete a novel. I'm very proud to say that my debut novel will be released Fall of 2021.
I am currently working on my second novel and hope to have a Spring 2022 release.
I am excited to bring to my audience a world of suspense, romance, family secrets, and characters that challenge our own insecurities and strengths.
I had always hoped to obtain a career that involved my passion for writing but, 'adulting' won over and my career has mainly consisted of human resources, operations, and administrative work. I truly never thought that becoming a writer would ever happen.
August 2020, I decided to sit down and write just one chapter and see how I felt about it. If I thought it was something that I could continue then I would keep writing and if not, no harm, no foul. As I wrote, my creativity awakened as it had when I was a teen writing poems and short stories. It was exciting to see where my story would take me. After years of doubting myself, putting my husband and two beautiful children first, I finally decided to take the leap and complete a novel. I'm very proud to say that my debut novel will be released Fall of 2021.
I am currently working on my second novel and hope to have a Spring 2022 release.
I am excited to bring to my audience a world of suspense, romance, family secrets, and characters that challenge our own insecurities and strengths.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 9, 2021
What a beautifully written love story, one that changes and matures through times of growth and of loss. Although heartbreaking at times, the inspiration to live one’s life to the fullest is very powerful. This one will stay with me.
January 15, 2022
41/2 stars
This is a love story like no other that will pull at your heartstrings. The characters are unforgettable,
as their paths cross from teenagers to adulthood as they form a unique bond.
Allison West feels an instant attraction when she meets Henry Harrison, an older teenager who is training to be a musician. Even though their meeting is brief, Allison cannot get him out of her mind.
Years later, they meet again and their relationship strengthens. As Henry pursues his career and starts to travel they grow apart and Allison is devastated. She follows his concerts and the two finally connect again. Married life is ideal until tragedy strikes.
I received this Ebook from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. It was a fast paced romance with a totally shocking ending. I love how the author explored the character’s lives and different backgrounds.
Highly recommend!
This is a love story like no other that will pull at your heartstrings. The characters are unforgettable,
as their paths cross from teenagers to adulthood as they form a unique bond.
Allison West feels an instant attraction when she meets Henry Harrison, an older teenager who is training to be a musician. Even though their meeting is brief, Allison cannot get him out of her mind.
Years later, they meet again and their relationship strengthens. As Henry pursues his career and starts to travel they grow apart and Allison is devastated. She follows his concerts and the two finally connect again. Married life is ideal until tragedy strikes.
I received this Ebook from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. It was a fast paced romance with a totally shocking ending. I love how the author explored the character’s lives and different backgrounds.
Highly recommend!
December 17, 2021
Nicely written. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews