Mandy’s life has become a complex labyrinth following the tragic death of her husband and twin daughters. Despondent and depressed, she withers away in a drunken haze on a glorious Maui beach, longing to turn back time, plagued by strange dreams of her family.
Even with her in this state, handsome surfer, Chase, cannot stop thinking about the mystery woman he sees lying on the beach every morning, and he befriends her.
A relationship is the last thing she wants, but will it light the way to finding herself again?
But some things don’t make sense… Who did Mandy catch a fleeting glimpse of in an SUV?
Will anyone believe her when she tells them who it was?
And can she prove she isn’t crazy by following leads to reveal the truth?
She’s determined to find out what happened all those years ago—and no one will stop her.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The story starts off strong but ultimately relies on coincidence and implausibility in the plot's resolution. While the bones of the story are solid, the author might want to work out a more believable means to the same end.
Prose: The author is a strong writer with excellent command of language. There is an equitable balance of action, dialogue, and description that makes for an easy and fluid read.
Originality: As the story unfolds, the reader is lulled into thinking Chase is a knight swooping in to save Mandy, a damsel in severe distress; what follows is a twisted, fast-paced story of deception and intrigue, which proves both creative and unique.
Character Development/Execution: Since this work is primarily about deception, the reader is meant to believe one thing when in reality, the opposite is true. Therefore, it's deliberately difficult for the reader to get to know what makes characters tick aside from Mandy. However, inconsistencies with lesser characters that crop up may warrant being addressed.
Date Submitted: June 23, 2022
