Rachel Spangler is a very good storyteller. She’s good at writing emotions and angst. Sometimes that angst is justified, sometimes it’s not. The characters she writes are multi-layered, and even when I don’t particularly like them, they’re interesting.

I was rather uncomfortable with this book from the start, the relationship being between a life coach (not really a shrink but not that different) and her client. I felt Elaine (the coach) should have put an end to the professional relationship from the start, but then there wouldn’t be a story, I guess. Yet, despite this uncomfortable feeling, I found myself rooting for Joey and Elaine anyway. That’s all that matters, in the end. ( )

A nice diversionary tale. Both too long and too short all at the same time. One must suspend some serious disbelief, but that is after all, what good escapist lit is all about. ( )

This could almost be a nonfiction book, as it contains much for the reader to think about. Readers will follow Joey’s path of self-reclamation and find themselves wanting to try some of Elaine’s prescribed exercises for themselves. Joey’s awakening is all the more realistic because of this, as is Elaine’s coming-out process. The characters are real, relatable, and the author truly makes the readers care about them, even after the story is finished. However, the story is also slow-paced, with little outright action. Instead, it follows a simple falling in love process and the day-to-day lives of two women. There is little action or conflict, which could make it boring to some. The strength of the characters enable the reader to muddle through this lag—but it is a muddle, and thus warrants a medium recommendation. ( )