Read Time:2 Minute, 8 Second
People often head to the beach to escape from reality—to take a break from jobs and responsibilities. But in True to Me by author Kay Bratt, one young woman heads to the beach to seek answers to her past—and maybe even find the family she never knew she had.
The story travels to Hawaii with Quinn Maguire, whose life spirals into chaos after her mother’s death. Quinn grew up with no family outside her mother—and some stories about a deadbeat dad. But when Quinn’s mother makes a shocking deathbed confession, Quinn decides to drop everything and travel to Maui, the place where her mother grew up, to find answers to who she is and where she came from. But when she leaves her fiancé behind and arrives on the island, ready to move into the house she purchased with her inheritance, things get messy.
No matter how messy things get, though, the stress and confusion that Quinn experiences still can’t take away from the magic and charm of the story’s island setting. If you’ve ever dreamed of running away to a tropical island, True to Me will have you saving your pennies for your own Hawaiian home. There’s just something about the setting, the culture, and the characters that make the story warm and relaxing. The author does an excellent job of transporting her readers—and immersing them in the Hawaiian setting. Quinn doesn’t stay tucked away at a posh resort; she stays in a small guest house, where she’s introduced to Hawaiian culture and customs. She becomes a part of the community. And while that may not be the main focus of the novel, it definitely enhances the story.
As Quinn tries to sort through her life—her feelings about her family, her questions about her past, difficulties in her relationship—the suspense builds. Readers will get to know the characters and worry about what will happen to them in the end. Many of these stories come to a satisfying conclusion, but Quinn’s story may not feel quite as satisfying. After drawing the mystery out for hundreds of pages, the revelation feels rather rushed, the resolution a little too easy. And the answers might leave readers feeling uneasy and uncertain.
Despite its flaws, though, True to Me is a light read with a captivating story. If you’re in need of a warm, sunny tropical getaway but can’t swing the travel expenses, this is a decent replacement.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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