Review by Mollymae -- Flaherty's Crossing
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Mollymae
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Review by Mollymae -- Flaherty's Crossing
[Following is a volunteer review of "Flaherty's Crossing" by Kaylin McFarren.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Flaherty’s Crossing by Kaylin McFarren was a delicious read. Although the first couple of chapters may not be indicative of the true flavor of the finished confection. As the story opens, the main character, Kate Flaherty, is trying to say good-bye to her dying father. She is angry and resentful towards her father as he was not around for much of her childhood. Her mother was killed by a drunk driver after an argument with her father, and Kate can not get past what she feels was his fault. The second chapter follows along in the same vein as Kate’s husband, Drew, arrives home from a business trip to find his wife gone. He’s unhappy. Their marriage is strained and he decides on on the spur of the moment to leave her and stay with a friend. Communication between the couple is poor and mistakes have been made. At this point, I can understand how some may feel that the plot is somewhat tired and overdone.
But shortly there after, the story takes a twist that leads the reader on a roller coaster of delight.
Driving home at night, distracted and upset, Kate’s in an accident. I hesitate to elaborate on any more of the story for fear of giving too much away. But what follows is a well crafted tale that left me wanting more. The author ends most chapters with a cliff hanger that makes it very difficult to put the book down. The writer manages to blend the characters and events with a heart warming message that leaves the reader with a smile.
Ms. McFarren weaves themes of love, faith, and forgiveness throughout her novel. She does so in such a manner that it makes the book very easy for anyone to relate. Love is an integral part of our lives, and the author does a very nice job of showing us how true love intertwines with and is strengthened by both forgiveness and having faith in those you love. It’s a timeless message that resounds throughout Flaherty’s Crossing.
The author reminds us how difficult it can be to forgive yourself as well. Later in the story, she introduces Paul, the man who had killed Kate’s mother by driving drunk. She elaborates on the toll that guilt has taken on his own life and again has nice closure for a very difficult situation in a believable manner.
My least favorite part of the book is the beginning. I feel like it took the author a bit too long to build up steam and get the reader to bite. But I was pleasantly surprised from then on. I loved how she was able to end many of the chapters in such a manner that you simply had to start the next chapter for more of an explanation. It was overall a delightful book to read. It was also a book that left me feeling happy and hopeful. So it was for that reason that I rated the book a 4 out of 4 stars and look forward to more from this writer.
******
Flaherty's Crossing
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4 out of 4 stars
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Flaherty’s Crossing by Kaylin McFarren was a delicious read. Although the first couple of chapters may not be indicative of the true flavor of the finished confection. As the story opens, the main character, Kate Flaherty, is trying to say good-bye to her dying father. She is angry and resentful towards her father as he was not around for much of her childhood. Her mother was killed by a drunk driver after an argument with her father, and Kate can not get past what she feels was his fault. The second chapter follows along in the same vein as Kate’s husband, Drew, arrives home from a business trip to find his wife gone. He’s unhappy. Their marriage is strained and he decides on on the spur of the moment to leave her and stay with a friend. Communication between the couple is poor and mistakes have been made. At this point, I can understand how some may feel that the plot is somewhat tired and overdone.
But shortly there after, the story takes a twist that leads the reader on a roller coaster of delight.
Driving home at night, distracted and upset, Kate’s in an accident. I hesitate to elaborate on any more of the story for fear of giving too much away. But what follows is a well crafted tale that left me wanting more. The author ends most chapters with a cliff hanger that makes it very difficult to put the book down. The writer manages to blend the characters and events with a heart warming message that leaves the reader with a smile.
Ms. McFarren weaves themes of love, faith, and forgiveness throughout her novel. She does so in such a manner that it makes the book very easy for anyone to relate. Love is an integral part of our lives, and the author does a very nice job of showing us how true love intertwines with and is strengthened by both forgiveness and having faith in those you love. It’s a timeless message that resounds throughout Flaherty’s Crossing.
The author reminds us how difficult it can be to forgive yourself as well. Later in the story, she introduces Paul, the man who had killed Kate’s mother by driving drunk. She elaborates on the toll that guilt has taken on his own life and again has nice closure for a very difficult situation in a believable manner.
My least favorite part of the book is the beginning. I feel like it took the author a bit too long to build up steam and get the reader to bite. But I was pleasantly surprised from then on. I loved how she was able to end many of the chapters in such a manner that you simply had to start the next chapter for more of an explanation. It was overall a delightful book to read. It was also a book that left me feeling happy and hopeful. So it was for that reason that I rated the book a 4 out of 4 stars and look forward to more from this writer.
******
Flaherty's Crossing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Mollymae's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "The Intrepid" by Jeff Tellier
