It gives me great pleasure to be kicking off the blog tour for book two in the ‘Lisa Millar’ series, ‘The Good In Goodbye’. Many thanks to Rachel for having me on the tour, and for the ARC. Here is my review:
Relationships are complicated. Long distance ones, even more so.
When Lisa Millar met AJ Williams online through mutual friends, she wasn’t prepared to fall in love with the man of her dreams. She was even less prepared to discover that he already had a wife. In a heart-wrenching story of love attempting to transcend miles, Lisa finds herself pregnant and on the wrong side of the Atlantic from the man she loves.
Will their love conquer all? Or will the intricacies of a relationship woven across the Atlantic be too much to take and tear them apart once and for all?
(Warning: This book ends on a cliff hanger)
What does TWG think?
Before I go any further, if you arent already aware – ‘The Good In Goodbye’ is part of a series, the second book in fact. I would whole heartedly suggest that you get the first book, ‘Intimate Strangers’ read first before you get stuck into this one. The storyline in this book will make more sense to you if you do it that way.
So, yeah, as the blurb so rightly warns you, this DOES end on a cliffhanger. Something I didn’t realise until the very last minute as I dont read blurbs! Did it ruin the experience for me? Not at all. It just means that i really need to get my hands on book three….like right now!!
Mental health and different emotions are such a huge part of this book. Speaking from a personal point of view a moment, I could relate to the way that Lisa was feeling as I am feeling that way currently and have been for a while. The delivery of such raw emotions made me cry. All I wanted to do was run to Lisa and say ‘I feel this too, help me!’. Not only that, seeing emotions and thoughts I could relate to in black and white, really hit home as I have spent so long trying to find the words to convey how much my own mental health has spiralled.
Lisa has such a devastating time throughout this book, and the serious nature of the situation she found herself in was definitely an eye-opener. The entire scenario was written so clearly, and so honestly, I cannot even begin to imagine how much research the author embarked on to make it as realistic as possible.
Jeremy…..what a lad. I really wasnt sure of him in book one as I found him very over the top, yet he redeemed himself this time around. In fact, I bloody love him now. Everyone needs a Jeremy in their life, and I’m gutted I dont have one in mine!!
The whole Lisa and AJ situation made me angry! Firstly, Lisa did know what she was getting herself in for with the distance and everything else. Secondly, AJ really needs to get it into his head that simply saying ‘sorry’ doesnt just magically fix things. Thirdly, neither of them owe the other one anything, so they really need to work out what is best for them when it comes to their relationship!
Now before anyone says I’m harsh, I’m well aware that AJ has his own problems and that his own mental health can snowball. However, he really needs to take heed of the responsibilities he now has! As for his priorities, well, I’ll be here all night if I started going on about those!
From the moment I picked up the book until the moment I had finished it, the book stayed in my hands the whole time. I refused to stop reading until there were no more pages to read and, it’s safe to say that I was extremely invested in these characters and their colourful lives.
I know that I have a strong opinion about the two main characters, but can I just say that I bloody loved this book! Lasairiona is incredible at what she does! I love the way she makes her characters come to life as though they’re three dimensional instead of simply being words on a page. I found her storyline to be such a powerful and poignant masterpiece in terms of the deep rooted emotions which were there from start to finish.
‘The Good In Goodbye’ has left its mark on me. Luckily, the fact that it’s a thoughtful and brilliantly written novel makes me incredibly lucky to have the mark of such a enlightening read, left on me. This is raw, cut throat, unsettling, yet it is also a one of a kind read that I urge you all to get your hands on.
The Writing Garnet 