Sandy M’s review of Finding Fraser by K.C. Dyer
Women’s Fiction published by Lions Mountain Liteary 15 May 15
Two reasons I picked up this book to read – I’m a huge Outlander fan, love Jamie and Claire as does this author, and Diana Gabaldon, Herself, recommended it on her Facebook page. Even her review on Amazon continues the accolades: “Jamie Fraser would be Deeply Gratified at having inspired such a charmingly funny, poignant story–and so am I.” Life has been busy lately, a good laugh and light entertainment are needed. So my hopes were quite high when I began reading.
It’s too bad this book doesn’t deliver on either front. I didn’t laugh once, nor was I truly entertained. Maybe it’s because I’m twenty-five years older than Emma, but despite the fact she has the gumption to sell everything she owns to make her trip to Scotland, that’s about the only thing she does that comports with her age and life experience so far. The rest of her journey is silly and her goal becomes too skewed that she’s missing the point of one of literature’s best-loved characters. She does eventually come to realize all of this, but it’s a bit too late for me.
As Emma tries to follow Claire’s journey from so long ago, she gets sidelined and sidetracked quite a bit, bringing her in contact with numerous others, none of which are all that entertaining or interesting enough, aside from Jack. He’s an author himself of pretty good success, but discovers a flaw in his writing – through Emma of all people. Gerald and his partner are slightly entertaining, but I don’t see the reason for their presence. It’s not comic relief, that’s left to others, like the group who gathers at a book reading. I’m not sure why Emma has to hook up with a Scot who only wants to get to California. She thinks she’s found her Jamie, but he’s got a wondering eye and is a coward to tell Emma he’s no longer interested. Then there’s the gal she meets up with during her tour of Culloden, and that doesn’t end well at all. Too many characters going in too many directions, in my opinion.
Does Emma eventually find her Fraser? Well, I’d like to tell you, but, even though this book doesn’t do it for me, it may work for you. So I’ll keep that little tidbit to myself, just in case you’d like to take a tour with Emma in Scotland. That part does work well. You do get that Scottish feel as Emma bumbles her way through the country. Other than that and Jack, I’m definitely underwhelmed with the entire book.
Grade: C-
Summary:
I met Jamie Fraser when I was nineteen years old. He was tall, red-headed, and at our first meeting at least, a virgin. I fell in love hard, fast and completely. He knew how to ride a horse, wield a sword and stitch a wound. He was, in fact, the perfect man.
That he was fictional hardly entered into it.
At 29, Emma Sheridan’s life is a disaster and she’s tired of waiting for the perfect boyfriend to step from the pages of her favorite book. There’s only one place to look, and it means selling everything and leaving her world behind. With an unexpected collection of allies along the way, can Emma face down a naked fishmonger, a randy gnome, a perfidious thief, and even her own abdominal muscles on the journey to find her Fraser?
No excerpt available.
