Review:: Left to Love by Jolene Perry

Left to Love by Jolene Perry 
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 286
Series: The Next Door Boys


Leigh’s life is shaping up to be pretty perfect.

She married the father of a little boy she fell in love with. They live in a nice house, on a quiet street, and her hobby of a sewing business is keeping her busier than she ever imagined. She’s back in touch with her brother who she hasn’t seen since she was a child, and her new husband has an “in” for his dream job when he graduates in the spring.

But when her small symptoms begin to lead up to something big - she has to face the shattering realization that her cancer is back.

Leigh struggles with her new marriage, her faith, her desire to adopt the little boy who calls her mom, and the strength to keep fighting for her life.


Review:
I loved The Next Door Boys and when I found out that author Jolene Perry had gone ahead and self published its sequel I was all over it. Bought it about 2 minutes after I realized she'd done that. I pretty much knew where this next book was headed. You could make a good guess. If it didn't go this way, I would have been surprised. It called for it. It was the natural progression of things. 


While I did enjoy it, there were several moments that I felt it needed a much bigger punch. It felt monotonous for a good portion but then when we finally got to the climax moments...they were rushed! We'd spent all that time to get there and then BAM! It was over. So, I'd read more. It was bland and then a crucial part would come...and it was glossed over. I left my head shaking a few times. Those moments deserved better. They called for some time spent on them. The other stuff could have been rushed. I would have been OK with that. It was all the same anyway. Chemo, more chemo and more throwing up. Over and over. I wanted more.


I also was hoping for something more romantic. Oh, there is romance but I wanted more--who doesn't?! There were so many tender moments in The Next Door Boys and I just maybe wanted a few more of those. These were different kinds of tender moments. Leigh is sick. She has cancer. Brian is taking care of her. She doesn't feel all that romantic. I know I wouldn't. Heck, I didn't feel romantic being pregnant! But, I was hoping for a few butterflies in my stomach. 


The end was nicely wrapped up. I just wanted a few things ironed out. Or maybe spelled out is the right word. You know how it ends, but it's like a haze. It would have been nice for there to be resolution. Period. 


I did enjoy it. I love Leigh and Brian's character's and it was nice to see them in a married role. A newly-weds take on cancer. That has to be tougher than anything I can imagine. I've never known anybody with cancer but it felt so real.I felt like I was going through it with Leigh. Even with such a tough subject matter author Jolene Perry kept many fun and light hearted moments. It wasn't drab and solemn. 


If you haven't read a Jolene Perry book yet, you should! I'm a fan.