Full disclosure: I could not completely relate to any characters in this book. But I still really enjoyed the story. It created an interesting and unique dichotomy for me. Let’s start with what I liked.
I could totally get behind the “hitting rock bottom to rebuild” setting that propels Bree. I found her tribulations to be amusing as she navigated reinventing herself and trying to be a better person. I did also like how she learned more about herself and others around her during her journey.
I also did feel for her at times, and understood her reluctance to part with sentimental items, especially those that reminded her of her mother. In today’s world where everything needs to be picture-perfect, old things are often shunted aside for shiny, new things…and I think that’s just wrong. This is where Bree was conflicted, and where I understood her the best. Deep down she knew what was right, she just didn’t know how to access it and got distracted
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I appreciated Trey. Of any of the characters, I think I could probably identify with him most, especially his attitude toward commercialism and social media. I could get behind someone who just wanted to be able to live without having to have every second documented. At times, this caused interesting tension between him and Bree.
And the social media aspect is where I just couldn’t relate. The whole influencer/non-influencer/collaborator thing is so shallow to me. I find the whole thing (in real life) to be just phony. The emphasis on followers (regardless of whether they’re real or not) and buying them to “boost” yourself seems ridiculous.
Given that, however, I think the author captures the whole movement perfectly from start to finish. Bree’s journey ultimately shows her the importance of real-life connections and experiences, and how dangerous living in the virtual social media world can be.
And perhaps that’s the point – it’s time to refocus on real people, not virtual, fake images.
AUTHOR BIO:
Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker with an insatiable case of wanderlust. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of software. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and planning her next big vacation.
Thanks for stopping by my stop on the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Women’s Fiction & Romance. Be sure to check back throughout the summer for more reviews!
