Another Life by K.L. Shandwick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’m going to crank out a review before I get distracted with the chaos that is my life.

Usually if a book didn’t tickle my fancy I skip providing a star rating as to not negatively impact the book’s average. Most times I chalk my dissatisfaction with a book to my own personal preferences or experiences. Today however, I felt this book earned it’s 3-star rating. Why?

First, the book was obnoxiously repetitive. Cole repeats himself throughout the entire book. Every epiphany and new lesson he masters is the same concept just worded slightly differently. It was tiresome as a reader yet the author would present it as character growth. It was the same awareness of his loss, grief, moving on, etc. While the angst and turmoil in the beginning of the book was strong enough to hook readers the rest of the book didn’t have the same quality of plot.

Secondly, Harper is a mix of bold yet subservient. It gave me whiplash and made her character unbelievable. Sometimes she was hyper aggressive in her sexual demands with Cole. For example, in one conversation she makes a crass statement about “fucking”. Yet that dominance didn’t come through in other aspects of her life. She seemed absolutely satisfied to continually mention Cole’s first wife. While certainly they needed to come to some understanding in the beginning of their relationship it was highly inappropriate to mention her all.the.time…especially during her wedding vows. That’s YOUR day, Harper!

Lastly, (well, not lastly but I don’t need to butcher this book to death) when Cole and Harper decide to pursue a relationship it’s mentioned they love each other…yet Cole’s first conversation is to learn about Harper’s life. She’s such a stranger to him that he has to inquire about where she grew up, her parents, how many siblings, etc. Based on the information provided to me as the reader their attraction was lustful but not based on meaningful conversation, mutual interests, or awareness of each other’s needs/wants.

My dearest book buddies, please know that I hate to bash books. The author has taken time, their creative energy, and invested part of themselves to bring the project to completion. I respect their craft and admire their tenacity to see the project to fruition. (Something I have yet to do!) However, I want people that follow my reviews to see my honest opinion. If I gave every book a 5-star rating that just wouldn’t be accurate or fair.



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