From the bestselling author of Bright Side and GusLove is strange. It comes out of nowhere. There’s no logic to it. It’s not methodical. It’s not scientific. It’s pure emotion and passion. And emotion and passion can be dangerous because they fuel love…and hate.I’m now a reluctant connoisseur of both–an expert through immersion. I know them intimately.When I fell in love with Miranda, it was … was swift and blind. She was the person I’d elevated to mythical status in my head, in my dreams.Here’s the thing about dreams, they’re smoke.They’re spun as thoughts until they become something we think we want. Something we think we need.That was Miranda. She was smoke.I thought I wanted her. I thought I needed her.Over time reality crept in and slowly dissected and disemboweled my dreams like a predator, leaving behind a rotting carcass.Reality can be a fierce bitch.So can Miranda.And I can be a fool…who believes in dreams.And people.And love.
more
Main characters: Seamus, Miranda, and Faith
Minor yet valuable characters: Kira, Kai, Rory, and Hope.
Seamus is a high school counselor. Miranda is a corporate queen who thrives on climbing the corporate ladder. Miranda is competitive and driven.
Seamus is one of those rare men who has no clue how good looking he is, how intelligent he is, how kind he is, how good he is. Seamus is idealistic, selfless, and genuinely believes in the good in humanity.
Premise: love/hate relationship between two individuals who are opposites.
Miranda lives life by a set of goals and achievements. Miranda uses people along the way to gain power and advance in life by any means possible.
The story is told from alternating POV’s from both the past and present. It’s easy to follow and in no way does this hinder the story or cause any confusion. In fact, it aids in understanding Miranda’s character.
Adapting to the obstacles in life is the key to a successful life. Winning at life by choices made. Choice between career and family.
Warning, reading this story will give you the feels. Kim has the power to provoke the feels out of you. Also, she has the ability to make you think. My mind is absorbing every word and inundating my brain with many thoughts.
Seamus and Miranda are characters that are developed not from their first encounter but from a pivotal point eleven years later. Miranda is discovered from the past moving forward and Seamus is developed during the present course of life.
Miranda struggles with the illusion of what she wants and needs in life to feel worthy. I’m completely perplexed and shocked by Miranda’s character. Miranda’s character was guided and fueled by power yet it was never explained what was the driving force for this direction.
It’s a layered story involving many issues. One being the battle between good and evil. Then there is selfishness, greed, and power. Finally, the bonding between children and adults.
Each character has struggles in life, but it’s the way they present themselves in life that get noticed.
Life is about possibilities and lessons. Story about regrets and choices. Story of the choices people make that influence the lives of children and how that affects the outcome of their life.
The layers in this story are lessons in being a better person, growing, adapting, second chances, acceptance, and self discovery.
A great book by one of my favorite authors
This book was not what I expected. I have read some of Kim’s books and this was written much different than the rest. It was really good but wow.
Miranda was just one of the worst people ever she was a character that you just hated. Honestly I don’t think she could be liked by anyone. She was horrid. I almost liked hating her. Every time another nasty thing came out that she did was even worse than the last horrible thing she did. She was almost the devil.
Seamus is like the picture perfect husband and father he will do anything for his family. He wants them to grow up to be amazing people and he makes sure they are all loved and cherished. I loved everything about him. I loved him even more when you found out what was wrong with him.
He makes sure the kids are all given time and space. He refuses to talk bad about Maranda to them even though he literally hates her with everything.
I don’t think there is any saving Maranda she is just awful even when she try’s she is selfish.
Then there is Hope who is the sweetest selfless person with her free hugs sign and taking time to get to know strangers. I loved her so much. I wanted one of her hugs .
I really liked this book it’s not one you can put down. Kim writes such amazing stories. Her books just stay with you.
Where do I start?
How about how I think I need Monkey Bread? What the hell even is it?
How about I tell you how I love Hope? Every day folks like her, live next door to you and I. We don’t bother them, they don’t bother us. We think ignorance is bliss, when we should exchange a smile, a nod, a touch?
How about I tell you how I love Benito? He’s the secondary character like the lovely Mrs Randolph from Gus. His part may be fleeting but it is pivotal. Right man. Right place. Right on dude!
How about I tell you how I hated Miranda? She reminded me very much of Dirty Red – Leah, the total bitch I will never,ever forgive (Tarryn Fisher by the way).
That leads me to another how. How can the most friendly, huggy, emotional, best mum, best wife in the history of all of the world – write about a bitch to rival said Leah who, up until now is the best bitch the world has ever known? Leah v Miranda fight, I would buy tickets for that. Ringside!
Seamus, I don’t need YouTube lessons in pronunciation, I’ve got this. I love a man who is unafraid to show emotion. What a beautiful soul. My heart really liked his heart. My heart really loved his kids too. Thoughtful Kai. English speaking Rory (hi Rory, I know your alter-ego and he is smashing), wild at heart Kira. Now, he would get best dad points. Read it – believe it. My PJ is actually just like that. He hugs them every day, loves them unconditionally. So proud of them – even the one who is not his blood.
How about I tell you about Rainbow Bright? Life blooms in second chances. She is the poster child of hugs. Faith. I am team Faith. Life is sometimes a bit shit, and people come along who pull you out. They might have been there before and know where the steps are.
Kim Holden has written a beautiful book. It challenges perception. It makes you think of being a better person. Well done. It was so much more.
A Karen Cundy review would not be so much more if it didn’t have quotes. I highlighted a lot – no sticky notes involved this time:
“Divorce. How can a word so benign become uglier every time I turn it over in my head? It’s just a word, seven little letters. Letters should be harmless. But those seven letters have ganged up on me and every time I think about them, it feels like an attack. An attack on my heart. An attack on my children. An attack that’s muddied my soul.”
“I didn’t know people could hug your soul with their soul.”
“Bitterness has me standing at the edge of sanity looking down into the deep, dark pit of future regret.”
“Compassion is something we should all be willing to show. Treating people badly in reaction to how they treat us plays into the ugliness in the world and perpetuates it. Treating people well, not in the hopes that they’ll change, because sometimes people never change, keeps our hearts free from the ugliness.”
“Every day is a new opportunity to be the person you’ve always wanted to be. Some days your heart will be in it, and some days you’ll fake it, but eventually it will become a habit and without thinking about it, you will be changed anew. A new attitude. A new outlook. A new perspective. The human mind is a wonderful thing to grant us that kind of change.”
“Every day when I wake up, I remind myself that the present is possibility, and the past is a lesson.”
Unlike Leah, I sort of warmed to Miranda, because she accepted her faults and failures and in her own Monkey Bread way tried to make it taste better.