Friday, January 21, 2022

Book Review: Sasha's Redemption



By Sara Steven

This is a story about redemption and finding love in the unlikeliest of places. Sasha Sokolov is the woman every woman loves to hate. And if you've read any of the first three Sweet Water Circle books, chances are, you probably do, too. But doesn't everyone deserve a chance to right their wrongs and be happy?

After Sasha is fired from her high-powered advertising job for lying about her college education, it sets her life off on a downward spiral, leaving her single, broke, and with no place to live. As if things couldn't get any worse, Sasha's unraveling life attracts the interest of the most unlikeliest of groups, The Sweet Water Circle, Sasha's former work nemeses. Can this tight-knit group help Sasha turn her life around? And if they can, does Sasha even want their help? She might move to Skid Row just to spite them.

But sometimes, you don't get what you want. You get what you need. And if anybody needs the snarky wisdom of the Sweet Water Circle, it's Sasha. That being said, one thing she really doesn't need is to move in downstairs from a single dad with two young girls who excel at invading personal space. Or does she need them to learn what it's like to truly care for another person? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

Some might say, “Why add a nemesis to a book series’s lineup?” And to that I say: Read Sasha’s Redemption!

I’ve read every single book within the The Sweet Water Circle series and have encountered plenty of Sasha. Much like the synopsis states, she is the woman everyone loves to hate, but for good reason. She likes to undermine, manipulate, and make enemies, never friends. But why? Where does that motivation come from? I’m really glad that Grayson Avery gave us backstory into the why, because like any bully, those feelings of inadequacy and the need to lash out had to start from somewhere, and we get to find that out, and more. 

A central theme for Sasha is: “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” Despite her attitude and the way she's treated the ladies within the Sweet Water Circle, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her as one by one the things she holds most dear to her slip away; her job. Her living situation. A relationship that may not have fulfilled her, but made her look good. Anything that makes her seem as though she has her life in order has been stripped from her, and she has to find a way to find a new normal within all of it. 

Sasha has to decide on who she can rely on, even when she’s always felt that there is no one to rely on but herself. It was really great to see a lot of character evolution, when she tries to figure out what that means and who is worth fighting for, even when no one wants to fight for her. As always, Grayson Avery provided the reader with a lot of laughs, great dialogue, and realistic reactions that felt fitting for Sasha, but we get to see a side of Sasha never seen before–which made her story a great addition to the series, and a worthy five-star read!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Grayson Avery is the author of The Sweet Water Circle Series, a romantic comedy series that focuses on childhood friends in their 30's and 40's as they help each other navigate the stormy waters of dating, marriage, divorce, and a whole lot of inappropriate, naughty, and downright hysterical situations.

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1 comment:

Grayson Avery said...

Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.