Beautiful, Emotional Overdrive

A Curve In The Road by Julianne MacLean is a contemporary novel that deals with grief, betrayal and learning to live again. I read it in just one sitting. It was totally beautiful and heart wrenching. Tissues were needed as my emotions were shot to pieces.

Julianne MacLean writes novels that go straight to the heart. Her characters are realistic and likable. Dealing with grief is complex. We go through a range of emotions. “I’m so angry… Yet I can’t bear his absence.” Anger is normal. We hate the person for leaving us to cope alone. “Part of me wishes he were alive so I could kill him myself.” This paradox is totally understandable – in our hurt and pain we just want to lash out but really all we want is the arms of our loved one around us again. Grief stinks. We just need to work our way through it in whatever way we can.

The novel explores the role of mothers. Mothers are the rock that keeps the family together. No matter how old we get, we still need our mum.

Family dynamics are varied. We see both loving and dysfunctional families.

Life is full of ordinary superheroes. “The police officers… the firefighters and paramedics… I feel as if this town is full of heroes.” We salute the kind, compassionate and caring superheroes doing their job every day.

What happens when the life you thought you had is a lie? What do you do when you cannot confront the offender? The reader totally understands the conflicting emotions.

I loved the inclusion of Winston, a golden Labrador. He was as much of a character as the human ones. My heart was torn in two at times. His love and loyalty knew no bounds.

A Curve In The Road was a perfectly wonderful emotional read that tore me apart and put me back together again.

I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON