Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: Forever, Interrupted

By Amy Bromberg

**Giveaway is now closed**

Elsie Porter is an average twenty-something and yet what happens to her is anything but ordinary. On a rainy New Year’s Day, she heads out to pick up a pizza for one. She isn’t expecting to see anyone else in the shop, much less the adorable and charming Ben Ross. Their chemistry is instant and electric. Ben cannot even wait twenty-four hours before asking to see her again. Within weeks, the two are head over heels in love. By May, they’ve eloped.

Only nine days later, Ben is out riding his bike when he is hit by a truck and killed on impact. Elsie hears the sirens outside her apartment, but by the time she gets downstairs, he has already been whisked off to the emergency room. At the hospital, she must face Susan, the mother-in-law she has never met—and who doesn’t even know Elsie exists.

Interweaving Elsie and Ben’s charmed romance with Elsie and Susan’s healing process, Forever, Interrupted will remind you that there’s more than one way to find a happy ending. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I saw some friends on Twitter saying that they weren't able to put this book down. Well, let's just say this emotionally packed debut instantly sucked me in. The beginning of Forever, Interrupted will hit you really hard as this is when Ben dies, which is basically right after Elsie and Ben get married. After that the book is told in two different time periods: one being the past, during Elsie and Ben's courtship, and the other being the present, Elsie meeting Susan (her mother-in-law) and grieving over Ben's loss. One thing that really puts this book at the top, and sets it apart from other books with the widow theme, is how in depth we get to know the characters...especially Elsie. She really speaks her mind and says things that most people would just keep inside bottled up, especially while grieving for a lost love. To say that this character is very relatable is an understatement. Elsie is flawed, yet beautiful and lovable at the same time. Talking about really putting your feelings "out there," this is exactly what Ben does towards Elsie, more or less, from the first time they meet. There is no playing games or holding back on how he feels about her. Any girl would crave to have a man love her so deeply. It's one of the best feelings ever...you feel SO special and loved.

The one aspect that seemed a bit unrealistic was how quickly Elise and Ben's relationship evolved. We don't see that often a couple getting married after only dating for six months. But hey, this is fiction and it's the author's playground.

The take away message I got from Forever, Interrupted, one that I already knew, is that you need to live your life to the fullest in the right here and now. Life is so precious and it could be taken away in an instant. These two quotes from The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle say it perfectly:

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

"“Nothing has happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now.”

Thanks to Goldberg McDuffie Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review. They also have one copy for a lucky US reader.

How to win:
Since our two most recent reviews have been about widows, tell us your favorite novel about a widow. (If you haven't read any yet, tell us which one would interest you the most to read.)

One entry per person.

Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win. Entries without contact information will NOT be counted.

US only. Giveaway ends August 12th at midnight EST.

You might also enjoy (this could help with the above question, as well):




30 comments:

pascale said...

without question, the best book I have read about a widow is SHELTER ME, by Juliette Fay. I actually would say it is the best book I EVER read. GO BUY IT NOW!!!!!

This book sounds great.
pascale.poitras@verizon.net

Britney Adams said...

Your review of The Lost Husband was wonderful! I can't wait to read this heartwarming story!

texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

kwaskewich said...

Maine by J Courtney Sullivan was amazing. A lot of back and forth between past and present but I loved it!

Charlotte said...

I can't think think of any book that I have read on this subject,
CABWNANA1@bellsouth.net

Nova said...

i think the book, THE GLASS WIVES
by Amy Sue Nathan is a great book! Loved it!
sparkle40175@hotmail.com

Lisamarie said...

Good Grief...but I am looking forward to Glass Wives too!

tropicalsunlover05(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I think Silver Girl. Although, it was the best friend of the main characater. THanks for the giveaway!

sumsum085@aol.com

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I loooooved Silver Girl! This book sounds so good and I have seen such positive comments, I think I definitely have to pick it up!
Missamberljohnson@gmail.com

Janine said...

Off the top of my head, I can't think of a book that I have read with a widow in it. I would love to read this one though.

susieqlaw said...

I would love to read the Widow Waltz by Sally Koslow.

sendsusanmail at gmail dot come

Bonnie K. said...

I haven't read The Glass Wives yet, but that would be one to read. One older book involving a widow that I love is The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

Cher B said...

I loved The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve: are your husband and your marriage really what you think they are?! Good stuff. Looking forward to reading Forever, Interrupted, it sounds fantastic. Thanks for the chance to win!

cherbasonATgmailDOTcom

Preet said...

I read three books back to back in June that featured widows. Ten Years On by Alice Peterson. My goodness what a beautiful story!

kaur_chanpreet(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

What a beautiful review!

Anonymous said...

Can't recall any about Widows that I've read recently, but just finished The Lake House where the man's fiance dies (is that close enough). Loved it Mel, tks! Can't wait to read this one too.

Darla

Lori R said...

I loved The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve.

Lvlrios at gmail dot com

For the love of teaching! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leslie B. said...

One of my favorites is gone with the wind. Does that count?

Linda Kish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Linda Kish said...

I also read The Pilot's Wife. I can't think of another one.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would have to say The Glass Wives. It was sooo good!

Bjoneill@hotmail.com

bn100 said...

Forever, Interrupted would be interesting to read

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My favorite book about a widow was "The After Wife" by Gigi Levangie Grazer. Another great "widow book" is "The Glass Wives."
Both novels were thought provoking, beautifully written, and at times made me cry.

jessbair15@gmail.com

Hailey Fish said...

Shelter Me by Juliette Fay.

fishiegirl22@yahoo.com

DD said...

I really liked The Love of His Brother by Jennifer AlLee.

dawndennis66611 at yahoo dot com

Kerry said...

I've never read any widow based books, but this one sounds pretty darn good. As do all of the other incredible suggestions listed through the comments. A great resource to have :)

kerryingon (at) me (dot) com

Maureen said...

A good book is Must Love Kids by Jackie Braun.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Kristen said...

I've heard wonderful things about Glass Wives and Shelter Me... this one sounds great, too!!!

Kly(dot)327(at)gmail.com

Melissa said...

Thanks for participating and recommending books about widows.

Thanks to Goldberg McDuffie for sharing this book with our winner.

Random.org chose one winner from all entries with contact info.

Congrats to Chanpreet!