Someone Else's Love Story; Joshilyn Jackson

 

 William Morrow - Harper Collins-2013

In Someone Else's Love Story, Shandi Pierce, is a young mother who believes that her brilliant son Natty, is the product of a miracle virgin birth. Shandi's best friend Walcott has been there for her through thick and thin and is very protective of her. Wanting to give her son Natty a better life, Shandi decides to move to Atlanta and begin college there. Walcott helps Shandi and Natty with the move.

On the road trip to Atlanta, Natty becomes carsick so they make stop at the Circle K convenience store for ginger ale to settle his stomach.  Mother and son walk in on a holdup, and when a handsome man, Shandi calls Thor, saves their lives, she believes it was fate that brought them together. Thor (real name William Ashe) is wounded in the hold up and Shandi feels she must nurse him back to health.  William has issues of his own and doesn't quite read the signals being sent by Shandi.

The story is told in alternating chapters where the reader learns more about William Ashe's own sad story. Joshilyn Jackson weaves an intricate story that touches on some tough issues.  I loved some of the characters and disliked others, and I was thrilled with how it ended. I did think too much time was spent on the holdup scene, which made the story drag a bit for me.  Although this was not my favorite Jackson novel, it is still a story worth reading.  

4/5 stars  (review copy provided by publisher)

You can read my review for the prequel to this novel, My Own Miraculous, HERE.