Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Book Review: The Cost of Love and Sanity

Synopsis from Goodreads.com:

For Alex Carter, everything is going according to plan—she’s built a successful career and has a steady boyfriend—until life decides to throw a wrench in the mix. Suddenly, her company threatens to downsize and her boyfriend ends their relationship. It is then that she realizes that, like many women, she has neglected to pursue love and family—the goals closest to her heart—in favor of a career.

As a new year begins and Alex decides to focus on personal concerns, she runs into an old flame, Nathan Chestnut. Though she once had it bad for Nathan, she’s careful about trusting him again. Alex’s remedy is to ask him for an unexpected favor, which seems like the perfect resolution to her broken belief in happiness until she realizes that it can only grant her a piece of her dreams.

As her heart and reality get in the way of her request, Alex reaches a major crossroad. Will she gather her faith and fix the situation? Or will she suffer in silence for the rest of her life?


When I read the synopsis of this book, I was drawn to it as right now I feel like everything is taking a back seat to my career.  Not exactly by choice, as I did not feel this way when I lived in Minneapolis, but since moving to Charlotte that is how I feel.  I sometimes wonder if marriage and children will be part of my future, hence the reason I was interested in reading this book since the main character is wondering the same thing.

Unfortunately the book fell a bit flat for me.  The main character is 35 but I felt like she acted like a naive 20-something at times (no offense to the 20-somethings out there, I was naive at one point, too).  The book spans about 2-3 months and within that time span she makes some huge decisions that I don't think most people can or should make in that short of a time frame, so it felt a bit unrealistic to me.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review, and the opinions are my own.

10 comments:

Marlys said...

It's so disgusting when a book disappoints! My heart aches for the answers you are seeking, so I pray.

Jeanie said...

Doesn't it just drive you nuts when you think a book might be just the right thing, you spend the time reading it and it is disappointing or leaves you flat? I think I'll give this one a pass. I suspect you will know the answers when they present themselves... until then, hang in there!

Abby said...

I'm disappointed that the book ended up being far fetched and unrealistic. I bet you're so ready to get out of Charlotte, move on with life, and find some answers. My heart goes out to you Lisa

Amber said...

Oh darn! That's too bad it ended badly. I really struggle with unrealistic books. That's why I'm struggling a little bit with Sea of Tranquility right now. While I like the plot and idea of the book, the characters just don't feel "real" enough to me and I can't really relate to them. But the story/unknowns are intriguing to me so I keep reading :)

Stephany said...

Oh, what a bummer! I hate when a book disappoints me and feels too unrealistic. It makes it hard to really dig in to the story and fall for the characters!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

I'm kind of judging it by its cover and it sort of screams chick lit or bad romance ha.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Yeah, that does sound a bit unrealistic. Thanks for the review!

Unknown said...

While the book was not to your liking, I appreciate your review.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Thanks for your review for the tour.