novel philosophy

Authors: Beth Merlin & Danielle Modafferi
Genre: Romance
Published: 2024
Rating: 3 stars

Summary

All of Avery’s dreams came true. Her boyfriend proposed in front of a choir of Broadway stars while standing in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Could life be any more perfect?

The following morning starts with a rude wake-up call. FBI officers fill their apartment arresting her boyfriend on accusations of fraud. In her attempt to clarify the situation, Avery ends up getting her own visit to jail. Hours later, Avery stumbles out realizing her life has completely collapsed.

In the weeks that follow, Avery loses everything. She’s lost her fiancé, apartment, and a majority of her possessions. She starts to rebuild the only way she knows how. She returns to her beloved Broadway cafe and gets her old job back. It’s not so bad. She embraces the opportunity to perform the stage’s greatest hits to their diners.

A few chance encounters with an old ex develops into something more. The guy who got away returns, and Avery falls back in love with this remarkable man. Yet, in the months that follow, her happy ending doesn’t feel so happy.

A mysterious magic has been leading her since that day in jail. It takes the form of unexpected helpers and an old phone booth. It led her to her ex, but it also led her to an extraordinary opportunity.

Now, Avery has to choose. Will she follow the love of her life to DC? Or, is her next big break on Broadway right around the corner?

Themes

Second Chances

This theme is the heart of the book. Several years earlier, Avery felt forced to choose between her love life and her career. An upsetting breakup only succeeded in driving Avery into another relationship. Well, we soon realize that the second relationship was nothing but a scam. So, Avery begins to rebuild. It’s not long until she faces the same decision from all those years ago.

She’s reunited with the of her life. This was what fate drove her towards, right? Then why does it still feel wrong? As her career gets a second life, tension grows in her renewed relationship. Finding herself at a crossroads, Avery has to decide between taking a chance on a Broadway audition or giving it all up for love.

Quotes

“Sometimes you don’t realize the weight of what you’ve been carrying until you finally lay it down.”

“Honey, did you ever stop to think that when things seem to be falling apart, they may actually be falling into place?”

“My father used to say rock bottom will teach you the lessons the mountaintops never could.”

Final Thoughts

This was another Kindle First read that surprised me. Overall, it’s a great book. It moved quickly and the characters grew on me. Great writing drew me in and left me dissatisfied with the happy ending I was sure was coming. Instead, the authors threw in a lovely twist.

This book made me think about chasing dreams. We all had them when we were young. The naivety of youth challenged us to change the world. But, along the way reality hits. We doubt ourselves and our purpose, and we let those dreams slip away.

So, with Avery as our inspiration, what would you do differently if you had a second chance? What dreams can you still chase?

I would pursue a book-related career. Maybe go and get my masters in English lit or get a job in publishing. I don’t have the time to devote to a master’s program while working full time. I really don’t want to start my career over with an entry-level editing job. But, I still enjoy reading and sharing my thoughts with you. Plus, no one knows what the future holds…

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