Stuck with Me
Adult; Romance; (Market)
Stuck with Me is a contemporary romance about the return of a small-town girl, Lucy Gilbert, who decided to move back to her hometown from New York City in search for something more. She is a hopeless romantic through and through. There is just one tiny problem: she still hasn’t found her own epic romance. The closest she ever came to that happy ending was back when she was in love with the captain and star of the basketball team and homecoming king, Jamie Gallagher. Shortly after accepting a teaching position at her old high school, she runs into Jamie, who as fate would have it, just accepted the position of assistant coach for the high school basketball team, after a career-ending injury to his knee while playing college basketball at UCLA. The emotions of love, hurt and passion flood her when she sees him for the first time in five years. Past memories rejuvenate an old love connection and creates a complicated present.
Lucy desperately wants to move on from the past, but both Lucy and Jamie have to deal with the feelings that emerge each time they see each other. The fear of admitting their true feelings aren’t the only obstacles that stand in their way. Lucy is intrigued by a new fling and Jamie is tied down with his new fiancée. Are these two characters willing to reopen old wounds or move forward in their lives? Lucy and Jamie have to face the reality of the choices they made and find out if true love really finds a way.
Quarter Finalist
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 9.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The author has crafted an engaging story line that not only entertains but moves the reader. While the ending may be a given, the author does a good job making the journey worthwhile for the characters and the reader.
Prose: The author is a strong writer and storyteller. The plot moves forward at a steady pace, and readers will enjoy getting to know the stories behind these characters and what brought them both back to their hometown as adults.
Originality: The premise is a fairly familiar one, but strong characters uplift the more predictable elements.
Character/Execution: The alternating first-person narrative offers the reader great insight into Lucy and Jamie's perspectives, so thoughts and motives are clear and known to the reader.
Date Submitted: August 23, 2023