Review by sara_cottingham -- In Hindsight
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Sara Barnes Cottingham
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Review by sara_cottingham -- In Hindsight
[Following is a volunteer review of "In Hindsight" by Sharon Bonanno and Lisa Scott.]
The forward for In Hindsight welcomes anyone who feels lost and tells them they are not alone. When I first began reading the book, I didn’t know if authors Lisa Scott and Sharon Bonanno would have a story that I would find relatable. That had changed by the end. I felt seen, and I can say with certainty that I didn’t feel entirely alone.
In Hindsight tells the story of sisters Lisa and Sharon. They grew up in a complex family life when their father remarries when they are younger. Lisa is diagnosed with diabetes at an early age, and both sisters find themselves traveling on vastly different paths as they reach young adulthood. Sharon finds peace in a structured life. She also found fulfillment in caring for children as a teacher. Although not fully aware of Lisa’s drug problem, Sharon and her mother finally confront Lisa later when both are at their wit’s end. Their willingness to help Lisa in small ways would no longer work for the sisters who were once so close. Lisa attends rehabilitation, giving her a new chance at life. She also finds a career path that enables her to help others at their lowest. She takes great satisfaction from her job because she knows what it’s like to have reached rock bottom. Sharon forgives her sister for their years of struggle, and they come out the other side closer for it. They can now look back on their formative years and see how each overcame different struggles to find peace and happiness in their lives.
I connected with both sisters’ stories on different levels. I understood Sharon’s tendency to be a caregiver and custodian for her younger sister. I cheered for her when she put her foot down in helping Lisa. It was a decision that seems to have changed both their lives for the better. I deeply connected with Lisa’s struggle of self-doubt and avoidance. Her ability to finally take responsibility for her actions and make amends is a difficult step. Seeing her overcome her addiction and reach a place in her life where she feels fulfilled by both her career and relationships was incredibly powerful. There were times when I cried reading their story because I saw many similarities between their struggles and my own. Like they wrote in the forward, I didn’t feel alone finishing their story. Indeed, I felt seen and welcomed.
I only found one thing truly distracting in the book that pulled my focus away from the reading. The quotes pulled from the text and emboldened throughout the book felt rather unnecessary. I appreciate the authors wanting to emphasize specific ideas, but it gave the book a textbook feel that was distracting.
The book is professionally edited, and I found no errors throughout my reading. I highly recommend this book. Giving it a 4 out of 4 rating is a profoundly easy choice. This book is best suited for adult readers as there are curse words and discussions of drugs.
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In Hindsight
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The forward for In Hindsight welcomes anyone who feels lost and tells them they are not alone. When I first began reading the book, I didn’t know if authors Lisa Scott and Sharon Bonanno would have a story that I would find relatable. That had changed by the end. I felt seen, and I can say with certainty that I didn’t feel entirely alone.
In Hindsight tells the story of sisters Lisa and Sharon. They grew up in a complex family life when their father remarries when they are younger. Lisa is diagnosed with diabetes at an early age, and both sisters find themselves traveling on vastly different paths as they reach young adulthood. Sharon finds peace in a structured life. She also found fulfillment in caring for children as a teacher. Although not fully aware of Lisa’s drug problem, Sharon and her mother finally confront Lisa later when both are at their wit’s end. Their willingness to help Lisa in small ways would no longer work for the sisters who were once so close. Lisa attends rehabilitation, giving her a new chance at life. She also finds a career path that enables her to help others at their lowest. She takes great satisfaction from her job because she knows what it’s like to have reached rock bottom. Sharon forgives her sister for their years of struggle, and they come out the other side closer for it. They can now look back on their formative years and see how each overcame different struggles to find peace and happiness in their lives.
I connected with both sisters’ stories on different levels. I understood Sharon’s tendency to be a caregiver and custodian for her younger sister. I cheered for her when she put her foot down in helping Lisa. It was a decision that seems to have changed both their lives for the better. I deeply connected with Lisa’s struggle of self-doubt and avoidance. Her ability to finally take responsibility for her actions and make amends is a difficult step. Seeing her overcome her addiction and reach a place in her life where she feels fulfilled by both her career and relationships was incredibly powerful. There were times when I cried reading their story because I saw many similarities between their struggles and my own. Like they wrote in the forward, I didn’t feel alone finishing their story. Indeed, I felt seen and welcomed.
I only found one thing truly distracting in the book that pulled my focus away from the reading. The quotes pulled from the text and emboldened throughout the book felt rather unnecessary. I appreciate the authors wanting to emphasize specific ideas, but it gave the book a textbook feel that was distracting.
The book is professionally edited, and I found no errors throughout my reading. I highly recommend this book. Giving it a 4 out of 4 rating is a profoundly easy choice. This book is best suited for adult readers as there are curse words and discussions of drugs.
******
In Hindsight
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami
