Book review! Different Roads by Lori L. Clark (plus ebook giveaway)

I received a copy of the book mentioned for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

It’s been said that when we look back over our lives, we are able to recognize the pivotal moments that in some way, shape, or form have led us to where we are today.

When Jacqueline Carter is fifteen, she crosses paths for the first time with Seth Thomas, a young man who unwittingly alters the direction of her life forever.

Jaq plans to break-up with her boyfriend on her sixteenth birthday. Instead, she is date-raped, and left emotionally broken. She builds a wall around her heart and begins spiraling downward on a road filled with drinking, drugs and physical abuse.

When Seth re-enters her life a few years later, the walls around her heart slowly come down and the two of them fall in love.

Unfortunately sometimes, fate has other ideas, and we’re forced down a different road from which we initially set out.

Buy the book

My thoughts

This may very well be the hardest review I ever write… at least the hardest without spoilers. Let me tell you a few things about the book. I really enjoyed the characters we met. I loved Seth, although the story line with him really fell flat and it bothers me immensely that we don’t know why he walked away from Jaq. I liked Jaq, although I felt her behavior odd from time to time. I hated Damon. I thought he was a jerk from the first meeting and wondered why Jaq even started a “thing” with him. All that said, she was broken; a broken spirit. I felt sorry for her but I think she made some decisions that were just stupid.

My biggest problem with this story is the ending. I can honestly say that I did NOT see that coming. I was completely, 100% surprised by how this book ends and the thing about it is, you truly have an ending that takes place on the last page. Don’t read the last page and then start the book (I used to do that). It will completely mess you up! At the same time, expect the unexpected because this one was truly that. Do I like the ending? NO. I felt there was such a build up with Jaq and Seth and the other characters that something had to come of it. I felt let down and upset by the ending to this book. At the same time, I think it really adds that suspense and drama that many books lack nowadays.

I gave this one 3 stars. I think it probably would have gotten more with some more details… like the whole Seth and Jaq story. I wanted to know more. That unknown really made it hard for me to get into this book. Add that to the ending that threw me and made me sad, and I couldn’t give more than 3 stars. But, I still would recommend others read this book. Just don’t get too attached to any one character or you will be sad. Read and enjoy each page for what it is because the next one may really throw you for a loop with this novel.

About the author

Ten things about me:
1. I’m an only child.
2. I love dogs!
3. I was born in Iowa City, Iowa and lived in Iowa until January 2007.
4. I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years.
5. I’m a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.
6. I’ve written 5 books and am in the process of brainstorming a 6th.
7. I don’t look or act my age!
8. I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50.
9. I love 80’s hair band music.
10. I’m a claims payment analyst for one of Fortune 500 Magazine’s “Top 100 places in America to work.”