Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: Leaving Before It’s Over
Author: Jean Reynolds Page
Publisher: Avon (A)
ISBN-13: 978-0-061-87692-9
Release Date: August 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: General Fiction
Year/Setting: Present day, North Carolina
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: None/Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: None/Minimal
Jean's Website/Blog: www.jeanreynoldspage.com
Dear Readers:
This is one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve read in a long time. Typically, lately, what I see on television or read in the newspaper is about as wretched and horrific as the world can get. So when a book comes along that not only makes me feel good about the human race, but also extremely happy that there are honorable people still out there in the world, I am beyond excited.
In this fantastic story, we meet Roy Vines and his family. They are living a very wonderful life in rural, small town America until, unfortunately, heartache strikes the family; Roy’s wife, Rosalind, has been struck down by a serious illness. Now Roy and Rosalind have a "true love" – one of those special relationships where Roy gave up family money in order to marry the woman he wanted and have the life he craved.
Unfortunately, because of his wife’s sickness, and the fact that a certain traffic "change" in town has taken business away from him, Roy has to turn to the family he absolutely despises for help. Now…his brother will help him, but only on one condition: Roy must take a seventeen-year-old boy into his home who believes wholeheartedly that Roy is the father that abandoned him years ago. With the bad blood that is running through the veins of this family, Rosalind tries to step in and fix the problems that have erupted over the years. What keeps readers completely on edge is whether or not this woman can heal the wounds that date back over decades, or if she’ll succumb to the pain and agony that threatens to tear her heart apart. Not only that, but Roy’s incredibly hideous brother is a character that most readers will want to tear from limb to limb.
The small town landscape, which reminded me so much of where I hail from, was extremely "cozy" to read about. The neighbors that try with all their might to make Rosalind’s life better, and the helping hands that seem to reach out with warmth and friendship over every page, makes readers really want this wonderful family, that they grow to love, get the happiest of endings possible.
From the kindness of the characters, to the faith and love that comes to light even through some of the darkest times possible, every chapter almost feels like a gift. I can’t wait for this author’s next novel. Enjoy!
Until next time,
Amy
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