This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Emma Kingston
If You’re Not The One is a tale that explores the age-old question, what if?
As Jennifer Wright finds herself approaching her late thirties she is trying to reignite the passion with her husband, Max. She worries that things might have become a little tired between them and begins wondering what might have been with some of her previous relationships. No sooner do these thoughts start crossing her mind than an argument with Max causes her to run out of the house straight into the path of a car. The accident leaves her in a coma, but whilst those around her are hoping and praying for her survival, Jennifer finally gets the chance to see what might have been with three of her previous loves.
There is Aidan, the super sexy, sun-kissed Adonis that Jennifer met travelling before university; Tim, the gloriously intelligent and filthy rich entrepreneur; and super sweet Steve, who would have done anything for Jennifer. She finds out how a different decision at each juncture could have led her to a very different path.
For me, If You’re Not The One was an entertaining, easy read that would be perfect to devour from a sun lounger on a very lazy beach holiday. I found the concept deliciously intriguing, who hasn’t wondered ‘what if’ at some point in their lives? Of course, the nature of the story means that you have to suspend belief at certain parts of the book, and I found the passages that depicted the transitions between each ‘life’ a bit clunky. The prose in between, however, was enthralling. It kept me wondering what was coming next and there were a few shocks along the way.
I really liked the ending. I won’t tell you what happens because I don’t want to spoil it (what sort of a reviewer would that make me?), but I think it might be a Marmite ending, you are either going to love it, or you are going to hate it. I loved it and it made me see the whole book in a different light. All in all, I wasn’t bowled over by it, but I enjoyed Jemma Forte’s writing and it is definitely worth a read.
5/10
Jemma Forte’s Website