Sandy M’s review of Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London
Contemporary Romance published by Pocket Star 18 Aug 09
I hadn’t intended to read this book for review when I picked it up to look it over. But it’s one of those themes that you’re curious to know how an author deals with the subject matter, the emotions, and, of course, the conclusion. This is one of those situations that is impossible to deal with, impossible to know what to do, impossible for a woman to choose. But there has to be an ending to the story, and it’s always interesting to see how many readers, especially women, want one solution and how many want another.
Macy’s life drastically changes twice in the span of four years. First is when the Army informs her her husband has died in Iraq. She’s finally gotten on with her life, dealt with her grief, and decided to live again. The second time is when the Army informs her they made a mistake. Her dead husband is, in fact, alive. Something she is happy about, grateful for, thank the Lord. But she’s also remarried and now has a second husband to deal with.
Flying to Washington, D.C. with her family as well as her first husband’s family, her greatest wish has been realized, Finn, the love of her life, escaped his captors, is in pretty good shape considering all he’s been through, and he wants to pick up right where they left off four years ago. As much as Macy wishes that could happen too, she does have Wyatt to consider. He brought her out of her misery, made her want to live again. She loves him too.
I felt for Macy from the beginning. Doesn’t matter how it happens, a woman in this situation has a difficult choice of a lifetime. More than difficult. But also right from the beginning, I got a little irritated with her. I realize she had to go to D.C. She had no choice. Wyatt was very understanding about that. But the entire week or more that she’s gone, she did not once contact Wyatt to keep him updated, and all that man wanted was to hear her voice, make sure she’s okay. She never returns his phone calls, never thought about him and what he might be going through.
The week is busy for her and Finn, the Army putting them through all kinds of meetings and whatnot, morning TV shows clamoring for them and their story, but, I’m sorry, Macy should have had at least sixty seconds for the husband she left at home. Especially since the next thing we know, she’s refusing her first husband’s sexual advances and finally tells him she remarried, and things begin to go south for them. Then when she gets home to Wyatt, he can’t wait to have her in his bed again and she goes willingly. But then her next step is to move out so she’s not staying with either man until her decision is made.
I think that little tidbit so early in the book is what turned me toward my decision that I would choose Wyatt for Macy. Of course, I couldn’t help but feel for Finn too. He went through hell during his captivity, thoughts of Macy the only thing keeping him going the entire time. I know that probably put a good many readers in his corner. And he not only finds his life with Macy gone, but also his home is gone, his ranch run down and the land about to be sold, his prized horses sold long ago. But this information came a little too late in the story for me. Macy does take her time making her decision, and she makes it her way. Even later on when Wyatt decides to play hardball to win her, I couldn’t fault him for it. Of course, both men eventually realize their fates and come to their own conclusions after a lot of heartache.
I’m a bit surprised at my choice in this instance. I thought I would cheer for the love that would eventually end up winning, but I definitely did not. And, on top of that, the man who was not chosen, Macy never hears from him again, we have no idea what happens to him after he knew he would never win his fight for her. I didn’t care for that at all, of course, because of my partiality toward him all along. It’s not clear to me why Ms. London chose to do that. I had this niggling thought that perhaps another book might come of it, but I doubt it, especially since there is nothing on her website alluding to that, that I can tell anyway.
This is an interesting read and an emotional one, no doubt about it. It’s a book that could put you on the opposite side of what you think you might do and of what others might think. Even Macy’s friends and family had clear thoughts on what she should do when she takes so long to make her decision. She always thought her choice would be clear-cut, but when finally faced with such a dilemma and with life being so different after so long, who’s to say we really know what we would do in the same circumstances.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Whose wife was she?
Macy Lockhart’s life shattered in a moment with the news that her husband, Finn–serving in the military overseas–has been killed in the line of duty. Their ardent and devoted marriage is over, leaving Macy alone and directionless. But while she tries to sustain herself with memories of Finn, the quiet, strong man who made her and their small Texas ranch the center of his life, it is wealthy Wyatt Clark who slowly brings joy back into her life. Her love for Wyatt may be less romantic than the breathless passion she’d once shared with Finn, but she vows to cherish him, and their marriage is happy and solid as a rock. Until the day that Finn, miraculously spared from death, returns home to claim his bride…
How can a woman choose between the two men she loves? And how will she make the right choice–for herself and everyone involved?
Read an excerpt.
