"new beginnings require a lot of trust & love"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted February 7, 2014
Romance Contemporary | Romance
Jill Shalvis hit one out of the park with ONCE IN A
LIFETIME. This story tugs at your heartstrings at how life
can just be so unfair. What I most admired most about this
story is how Shalvis let each character keep their
self-respect and maintain a sense of maturity. Shalvis did
not allow any cheap shots as she had her characters keep a
sense of humor dealing with situations that were difficult.
Theme of this tale is handling life as a responsible adult
and recognizing that everyone deserves to be loved.
Sometimes love feels like it is something that can only hit
you once in your lifetime. And when that love is gone, over,
well it doesn't leave any possibility of another. Life is
full of up and downs and every day brings with it a new
challenge. For Ben after the death of his young wife, the
challenge was just facing another day without her.
Emotionally he was shut tight. As bright as he was Ben
figured all he had to do was stay free of that word
commitment or relationship and life would be better for it.
No commitment, no hurt.
But coming back to Lucky Harbor was his destiny. Here were
the people who gossiped 24/7 but whose hearts were as large
as the universe. Ben had been saved by this town years ago
and coming back was the smartest thing he could have done,
even though it might mean opening his heart to decidedly
unwanted possibilities.
Lucky Harbor was home for Aubrey as well. Not the most
hospitable place to her in her growing up years but a
certain part of that was her fault. But was it really. Or
was it more a case of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Aubrey
seemed to live up to the expectations of those around her.
But in reality she was judged for who she appeared to be
rather than what she did. No matter there just was no easy
way to be Aubrey so she became a bitchy trouble maker, at
least in the eyes of this small town.
Aubrey searched her entire life for someone other than her
mother to really love her, to think she mattered. Just how
hurtful. Can you imagine being a child then a teen and
finally an adult and feel like you just don't matter?
In truth Aubrey was a kind soul, smart and resourceful. When
you have no one to really rely on you become remarkably
resourceful. All her choices had not been well-conceived and
to her dismay it was these choices that still haunted her.
So Aubrey made a list of personal wrongs -- her mission was
to correct them.
When faced with a situation, not of her making, she was
often reminded that her reputation preceded her and no one
would possibly believe her version. So rather than beat her
head against that unbendable wall of public opinion, she
turned the other check so to speak, shouldered the blame and
went on. So much of that opinion was weighted against her by
virtue of gossip and appearance. Here's where it gets almost
comical, if not so sad, Aubrey was gorgeous and her looks
were still another weapon used against her. Just can't win,
so use what you've got.
Case of living up to your reputation for Aubrey. Meeting Ben
after several years reawakened old feelings for Aubrey. She
had harbored quite a crush on this upperclassman even though
he was totally involved with his teenage sweetheart Hannah.
Ben went on to marry Hannah after many years apart, but that
marriage ended abruptly with his wife's early passing. His
friends were concerned with his lack of desire to move ahead
of his grief. But even so they were quite outspoken when it
appeared as if the woman who finally caught his eye was none
other than the town bad girl Aubrey. Aubrey was simply not
good enough for their Ben. Public opinion wins once again.
So happy to revisit the town of Lucky Harbor and spend more
time with old friends. Believe it or not Jill Shalvis
managed to incorporate these old friends in a very important
role in this lovely story about making new beginnings.
Lesson learned is everyone deserves a second chance and
equally important don't believe everything you hear. Make
your own judgment and that's what makes ONCE IN A LIFETIME
an important book to read. Everyone should be a Jill Shalvis
fan and this book should be at the top of must read list.
SUMMARY
After a wrenching loss, Ben McDaniel tried to escape his
grief by working in dangerous, war-torn places like Africa
and the Middle East. Now he's back in his hometown and
face-to-face with Aubrey Wellington, the hot-as-hell woman
who is trouble with a capital T. Family and friends insist
she's not the one to ease his pain, but Aubrey sparks an
intense desire that gives Ben hope for the future. Determined to right the wrongs of her past, Aubrey is
working hard to make amends. But by far, the toughest
challenge to her plan is sexy, brooding Ben - even though he
has absolutely no idea what she's done . . . Can this unlikely couple defy the odds and win over the
little town of Lucky Harbor?
What do you think about this review?
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