This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Kate Appleton
Mia and Lorrie Ann are lifelong friends: hard-hearted Mia and untouchably beautiful, kind, Lorrie Ann. While Mia struggles with a mother who drinks, a pregnancy at fifteen, and younger brothers she loves but can't quite be good to, Lorrie Ann is luminous, surrounded by her close-knit family, immune to the mistakes that mar her best friend's life. Until a sudden loss catapults Lorrie Ann into tragedy: things fall apart, and then fall apart further – and there is nothing Mia can do to help. And as good, kind, brave Lorrie Ann stops being so good, Mia begins to question just who this woman is and what that question means about them both. A novel of love, motherhood, loyalty, and the myth of the perfect friendship leading us to question how well we know those we love, what we owe our children and who we are without our friends.
This is a unique, brave and startling debut narrated by Mia whom provides the view point and offers us an insight into hers and Lorrie Ann’s life. The chronology of their life jumps all over the place which should have made it difficult to follow but thankfully it just added greater depth to the characters and their respective life situations. Mia’s journey between past and present makes you feel like you’re a fly on the wall in a documentary one which at times is extremely difficult to read.
The life of Lorrie Ann begins beautifully the descriptions of her family sounds idyllic without being nauseating, however as the friends come to the end of high school bad luck and demons take hold. Mia and Lorrie Ann due to their respective circumstances become separated, Mia going to university and travelling the world experiencing adventure and excitement. Lorrie Ann on the other hand stays in Corona del Mar and starts a family, one which quickly becomes blighted by tragedy and sorrow.The central theme of friendship strikes a chord and will resonate with most readers especially the focus on the longevity of friendship and the very real need to work on staying in touch. Mia and Lorrie Ann’s friendship is not one of equals, Lorrie Ann is on a pedestal in Mia’s eyes with her unwavering feeling that she isn’t a good person. This isn’t a happy story of friendship, it’s a sad and dark story which will make you sit up and take notice and it will probably also make you pick up the phone and call your best friend who you may not have spoken to for a while.
A highly addictive and unique debut from a very talented female writer.
9/10