An apparently random meeting is not what it seems

Synopsis

Is her whole life built on a lie?

Rose has always been close to her father. Her mother died soon after she was born, so it’s been just the two of them for as long as she can remember.

But a chance encounter days before she’s due to get married leaves Rose questioning everything she has ever known.

The man she trusts most in the world has been keeping a secret from her.

And the truth will leave her with an impossible choice…

My review

Just before getting married to Ryan, Rose is having a pampering weekend with her best friend. And even if her friend has a family emergency, Rose is being persuaded to have the much earned pampering.
During her ‘me – time’ she meets Cassie, and they spend the day and evening together.
But Rose has no idea that meeting Cassie is not so random as it appears, and that revelations will be made that will turn her whole world upside and her trust in those close to her may or may not be justified…

I have never read something from this author before, but reading the blurb, it surely intrigued me. And you never know what new authors you may fall in love with when reading something different than what you are used to!

When Rose and Cassie meet, I understood why they bundled their forces. Spending a day at a spa in company is better than spending it alone, and it makes it easier to dodge not so nice other customers.
However, when they agree to swap their life stories, I found it a bit strange, as you just do not share the most important events of your life with a random stranger.
But of course, the author is doing this with a purpose, making us understand the characters better. And seeing how both Rose and Cassie have lived their lives until now, getting them at this specific spot, was a nice way to do. Even if there are many flashbacks, having them actually being able to ‘hear’ them was a new way for me to relive the past of our main characters.

The more is revealed from the past, the quicker I realized what the devastating realization would be. so when Rose got to know the truth, it didn’t come as a total surprise to me.
But I was left a bit flabbergasted when there were even more revelations, concerning people Rose trusts unconditionally.
I felt how her heart broke when she realized that she has been lied to by more people than she could imagine.

This story for me was proof that there are always two sides to a story. And if you know only one side, it’s easy to judge someone’s behaviour. But also in real life, seeing another point of view can make you understand the other person so much better and you can even comprehend the made choice.
One decision made in the past doesn’t mean that in the present you are that same person. Because everyone of us mature in time and thanks with the right people by your side, you can find the courage to make amends.
But the author shows us also that taking those first small steps towards forgiveness is just the start and that the road can be long because it’s not that because you are ready for the next phase, that the counterparty is there yet.

I found this a beautiful story about regrets, making amends, forgiveness and family. The evolution of the characters made in most cases make me feel proud, even if there was a big disappointment in the case of one character (you’ll know what I mean when you are at that part in the story!).
But here again, with the right, loving people by your side, you will be able to overcome the great pain that has been caused to you!