Review: Carly's Gift by Georgia Bockoven

Carly's Gift by Georgia Bockoven

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 384

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  What's in the past is over and done with . . . or is it? 

Sixteen years ago Carly Hargrove made a decision that would irrevocably alter her life. With little comprehension of the life-long consequences of her actions, she trades her own future happiness to protect the man she's loved since kindergarten, David Montgomery.

With an ocean separating them, Carly builds a life for herself without David. She's the mother of three, lives in a beautiful house, and is married to a man who comes home every night—even if most of those nights he drinks too much. What more could she want?

Her answer arrives on a cold fall day when David shows up at her door. In town for his father's funeral, he has come to see Carly one last time, hoping to rid himself of the anger that still consumes him.

Instead, he is drawn into a web of secrets that rekindles the fierce need he once felt to protect Carly. He becomes caught up in her life in a way he never could have imagined—a way that will bind him to her forever.


Kritters Thoughts:  Before you start this book, be prepared to cry and devour this book in one sitting.  Ok, now that you have been warned let me tell you that I LOVED this book.  Originally published in 1993 as The Way It Should Have been, this is my second Bockoven book that has been updated and republished and made me a new audience member for this author.  

Carly made a decision at a young age that impacted quite a few people, whether they knew it or not.  Carly's decision and secrets unravel quickly at the beginning, but there is a lot of story to follow.  I was nervous with the amount of action that happened at the beginning that the rest of the book wouldn't have anywhere to go, but I was completely wrong.  The large back story gave a sturdy foundation for the remainder of the book.

The other thing I loved is the way things unfolded, this author has a perfect sense of timing when the audience needs a piece of information or a twist - I am a fan!  I am not hunting down the other Georgia Bockoven books and will be reading them soon.  Have you read a book of hers?  If so, what is your favorite?

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The tour schedule:

Tuesday, September 17th: Kritters Ramblings

Wednesday, September 18th: A Patchwork of Books

Thursday, September 19th: Literally Jen

Monday, September 23rd: Tina’s Book Reviews

Tuesday, September 24th: Turn the Page

Wednesday, September 25th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books

Thursday, September 26th: Book-alicious Mama

Monday, September 30th: Sara’s Organized Chaos

Tuesday, October 1st: Lisa’s Yarns

Thursday, October 3rd: Time 2 Read

Friday, October 4th: Good Girl Gone Redneck