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| She Reads |
At twenty-one, Shandi Pierce is juggling finishing college, raising her delightful three-year-old genius son Natty, and keeping the peace between her eternally warring, long-divorced Catholic mother and Jewish father. She’s got enough complications without getting caught in the middle of a stick-up in a gas station mini-mart and falling in love with a great wall of a man named William Ashe, who willingly steps between the armed robber and her son.
Shandi doesn’t know that her blond god Thor has his own complications. When he looked down the barrel of that gun he believed it was destiny: It’s been one year to the day since a tragic act of physics shattered his universe. But William doesn’t define destiny the way other people do. A brilliant geneticist who believes in science and numbers, destiny to him is about choice.
Now, he and Shandi are about to meet their so-called destinies head on, in a funny, charming, and poignant novel about science and miracles, secrets and truths, faith and forgiveness,; about a virgin birth, a sacrifice, and a resurrection; about falling in love, and learning that things aren’t always what they seem—or what we hope they will be. It’s a novel about discovering what we want and ultimately finding what we need.
My Thoughts:
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| About Joshilyn Jackson |
The synopsis is correct. This book is charming, and poignant. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny at times and boo-hoo-hoo sad at other times.
I’ve recently realized that I’m a fan of black humor. I find it a brilliant way to discuss a heavy subject. Someone Else’s Love Story contains quite a bit of dark comedy to wonderful effect. This book tackles some of the gloomiest subjects you can think of but I came away from reading it with a smile on my face. I don’t think that’s an easy feat for an author. Kudos to Joshilyn Jackson for making it happen.
I wouldn’t call this the perfect book. There were a few too many things going on to make my best of the year list. All in all it was a very good read and the opening sentence is one of the best I’ve ever read.
The Relentless Reader 
Yay! Looks like Joshilyn Jackson remains awesome.
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Glad to hear that you enjoyed this one, too. I agree that it wasn't perfect but a great reading experience nonetheless. I LOVED the character of William.
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I really need to pick up my copy and soon!
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You sold me with black humor. 🙂
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Black humor, you say? Color me interested. Why have I never read Joshilyn Jackson? I need to get with it!
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Black humor and dark comedy…yes!! My favorite kind. I have this next on my pile and now I couldn't be more thrilled. It will be my first Jackson which is a damn shame since she lives about 15 minutes away.
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This sounds very funny, the summary gives you a really good idea of the sort of book it is. Black humour when done well works, too. Heavy books are good, but I've often found that comedy doesn't lessen the effect either.
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This sounds interesting. I'm not one to read much contemporary stuff, but your reviews do tempt me so!
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Joshilyn Jackson has been on my list for a long time. I need to read one of her books!
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Huh. I really can't decide if I'd like this one or not. How much about faith is there? That is usually a deal breaker for me…
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I love dark humor, and you KNOW I geek out about geneticists and stuff… I'm a bit confused – is the guy really Thor in disguise? Lol. Maybe I should just read it to find out…
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YES, I'm totally with you on dark humor!
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It was a cute, light book. I liked the not-perfect ending . . . until it wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste.
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I'm a fan of dark humor too and Someone Else's Love Story sounds like a nice read.
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I've heard a lot of people really enjoyed her novels. It sounds like I have another author to add to the never-ending list. 🙂
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I've read a couple of Jackson's books but I've just never been able to connect with her style. Still every time I read a review like yours, I think \”maybe I should give her another chance.\”
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I've been wanting to read this one, and you make me want to run to the bookstore and buy a copy right now–or maybe download it to my Kindle. I've yet to read a Jackson book, which is a crime, I know, but someday I will and I'm sure I'll love her work. I hope.
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I think I would find this a book read – dark comedy 🙂
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I've been curious about this book – I keep seeing it in bookshops but I hadn't had a chance to stop and pick it up to read about it. I'm not sure that it'd be quite my kind of story, though. Sounds a bit… busy? And funny me, but I didn't recognise the author and thought this was a debut! God where've I been?!
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Sounds charming and witty! Must get it on my TBR list. Thanks, Jennifer!
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I loved the first sentence too! I also agree that her ability to leave a reader happy while also making them think about some tough topics is very impressive. I often avoid books with dark themes, but I really enjoyed this book anyway. Great review Jennifer 🙂
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