4 stars: Review of KEEPING CLAUDIA by Suzanne McKenna

See full issue for 2017 12-18
 

The Rundown

One of the greatest challenges for New Adult Contemporary novels is to stand out amongst other novels of the same genre. It is, quite frankly, a difficult task to accomplish especially for this particular genre. KEEPING CLAUDIA somehow did.

The novel starts with Claudia Chiametti’s return to the small coastal town she grew up in and once fled, back to the arms of the only to have ever awaken her heart. Toby Faye is a changed man, and with Claudia finally within his reach, he has decided to put the past behind him… Except for one last dark secret lurking in the dark recesses of his past. The one secret that may ruin everything.

The first half of the story was dragging. It seemed as though there were jigsaw puzzles that looked like they fit but you can tell they don’t fit perfectly. Claudia was not a character you could easily relate to nor connect with. There were few moments when her decisions and beliefs seem contrary and it brought confusion. Toby, on the other hand, was far easier to relate to. He isn’t perfect; he has flaws just like any other human being. The way he deals with problems is utterly familiar, in a sense that the emotions take precedence.

It was somewhere halfway through the book when the story picked up. The second half certainly did shine through and brought much of the emotional punch the reader would have expected in the first half. The last dark secret, however, didn’t really feel as crucial as how the blurb would describe it to be. Rather it was merely an element of the most important point of this entire novel.

See, KEEPING CLAUDIA is a riveting story about trust. Trust on the people who matter and trust on the love one have for someone. And through all the hardships and obstacles life throws at you, the trust on yourself to stand back up and believe in yourself. And that you can get through with it, whatever it is.

This is what made a light read novel like KEEPING CLAUDIA such an enjoyable yet emotionally gripping reading experience. One that you won’t forget for a very long time.

This novel is the final half of a series but it may still be read as a standalone.


The Recommendation

Although the first half was slow, it all makes up for the heart-wrenching second half of the novel. This is a great read for those looking for a light read packed with enough emotions.


The Rating Reviewer Rating: 4 Stars

4 Stars (out of 5): Recommended. For the right audience, this book is a great read. It can hold its own against any traditionally published novel in its genre.

The Pros & Cons

Pros: Believable, Characterization, Emotional
Cons: Slow in Places, Starts slow

The Links

More about Keeping Claudia on UBR

The Reviewer

Kate Ashley

Visit Kate Ashley‘s website.
 

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