But sometimes I'm a little to close to either the book or the author to give an objective opinion, and that's what happened in the case of this next book. Author Stacey Grice, however, loved this book. So she decided to do a guest review for me. Here now, is Stacey Grice and the book she is reviewing, "Change of Hart".
People choose to read fiction for a variety of reasons. For therapeutic benefits, to be moved emotionally into a good cry or fit of laughter, or to really make themselves have to think. Sometimes, the story allows you to escape from your ordinary life into a fantasy world of absolute make believe. And sometimes you read a story that is technically fiction and yet so real. Truly relatable, authentic characters going through everyday experiences and dealing with normal situations.
M.E. Carter has managed to encompass most of those reactions and more in her amazing debut novel. This tale is so real. Such an honest portayal of sincere characters going through life. Parts will make you tear up and really think of how you would cope with the same thing happening to you or your family. And other segments will make you crack up laughing. I loved every twist and turn of this story.
Addison is an elementary school teacher and single mother. An everyday woman with physical flaws and emotional baggage. After losing her husband tragically, she is attempting to raise her son in a healthy environment but is struggling internally with some guilt and is certainly no devoting enough time to herself. Romance and dating is not even on her radar.
Jason Hart is determined to make the most of his football career and is navigating through a very public life with himself and his wants and his needs as priority number one. He refuses to get serious with any woman, and enjoys playing the field both in his NFL job and in romance. Settling down isn't happening any time soon, in his mind.
But things quickly change in a chance meeting with Jaxon, a child at the school where Jason was doing a random public community appearance. The bond that is instantly forged between Jason and Jaxon was so sweet and heartfelt. Jason was his hero and Jaxon quickly became Jason's little buddy, teaching him lessons that he didn't even know he needed to still learn.
Addison is Jaxon's mother and through the eyes of her child, she learns to deal with her own grief and guilt while forming a friendship with her child's celebrity hero. Feelings beyond friendship were developing but Addison refused to allow herself to go there, in fear that if things didn't work out, her child would again lose a prominent male figure in his life, and she couldn't bring herself to be the reason for his impending devastation.
This book definitely carried you on a journey with some heavy subject matter but was written in such a beautiful and lighthearted way. The secondary characters were crucial and added a necessary balance between the heavy and fun. We all either have a friend like Lindsay, or wish we did and Deuce was hysterical.
Once Addison gave into the attraction she was feeling for Jason, their chemistry was hot and undeniable. I was anticipating the typical hot and steamy "first time" scene which M.E. Carter absolutely delivered, but she throws you for a slight loop by making everyday realities and concerns part of the action. Addison needed to freshen up before proceeding forward and get her Spanx off first. She was insecure and shy about her stretch marks and curves. I admired her and this author for keeping it real. Just enough humor intertwined with the series.
Ultimately, the story takes an unexpected turn, which I refuse to spoil, insisting that you read it for yourself. You will be shocked for sure but I'm confident that you will be happy with this book in the end. Whether it ends the way you wanted to or not, the writing is well done, the story is well told, and the experiences are authentic. M.E. Carter truly scored a touchdown with this phenomenal debut novel and I cannot wait to read more from her in the future. I hope this is just the start of a promising career ahead.
Chelle here. Let's get business out of the way. You can get "Change of Hart" by clicking here.
Now, Stacey and I had a huge debate on her rating of this book. But in the end, it is her review. And she threatened to cut me if I didn't give it what she said. I don't like bleeding, so I called uncle. Stacey give "Change of Hart" a touchdown with
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