Summary:
What would you do if your whole world fell apart?Jenny Harrison made some poor choices in the past, but marrying Gabe was the best thing she’d ever done. They had the perfect marriage, until a tragic accident leaves Gabe brain dead and her world in ruins.
Devastated by grief, she decides to preserve the best of their love by conceiving his child, but Gabe’s family is adamantly opposed, even willing to chance exposing long-held family secrets to stop her. Caught in a web of twisted motives and contentious legal issues, Jenny turns to best friend and attorney, Steve Grant. Steve wants to help Jenny, but he has reservations and secrets of his own.
When something so private and simple turns public and complicated, will Jenny relent? What is Steve willing to sacrifice to help Jenny?
Release Date:
March 31, 2014
Age Group:
Adult
Source:
Review copy from author
Reviewed By: Kelli
Review:
I loved Theresa Rizzo's first book, He Belongs to Me, and really didn't think I could love Just Destiny any more, but I did. I found this book completely impossible to put down.
What I love about Rizzo's writing is that her premises are so believable. While reading Just Destiny, I kept having the feeling that Jenny's tragedy could happen to me, or anyone else I know. Only a great writer can make you put yourself in a character's shoes, and Rizzo does that for me every time.
Jenny was an easy character to relate to. I really felt for her: first she loses her husband, then her entire life is made public through a legal battle. Jenny desires nothing more than to have Gabe's child and keep a piece of him with her always. However, Gabe's uncle (who raised him) is adamantly opposed and takes Jenny to court over the issue.
Jenny is not alone in her battle: she has a supportive attorney but most of all she has Steve, her neighbor and best friend. Steve was best friends with both Jenny and Gabe and therefore is personally invested in Jenny's case. I liked watching their relationship grow throughout the story.
The legal battle was interesting and added another layer of intensity to the story, while continuing the heartfelt premise of Jenny's struggle to cope with her husband's sudden death. Rizzo threw me for a loop with the ending, and at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but upon further reflection, I think it was perfectly suited to this story and the characters. My one wish is that she would have included an epilogue because I wanted to read more about Jenny's happiness.
Just Destiny was so many things, but at its heart it was about personal growth and I loved that. I love Rizzo's intense, all-consuming writing style. Her second novel is even better than the first, and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
I loved Theresa Rizzo's first book, He Belongs to Me, and really didn't think I could love Just Destiny any more, but I did. I found this book completely impossible to put down.
What I love about Rizzo's writing is that her premises are so believable. While reading Just Destiny, I kept having the feeling that Jenny's tragedy could happen to me, or anyone else I know. Only a great writer can make you put yourself in a character's shoes, and Rizzo does that for me every time.
Jenny was an easy character to relate to. I really felt for her: first she loses her husband, then her entire life is made public through a legal battle. Jenny desires nothing more than to have Gabe's child and keep a piece of him with her always. However, Gabe's uncle (who raised him) is adamantly opposed and takes Jenny to court over the issue.
Jenny is not alone in her battle: she has a supportive attorney but most of all she has Steve, her neighbor and best friend. Steve was best friends with both Jenny and Gabe and therefore is personally invested in Jenny's case. I liked watching their relationship grow throughout the story.
The legal battle was interesting and added another layer of intensity to the story, while continuing the heartfelt premise of Jenny's struggle to cope with her husband's sudden death. Rizzo threw me for a loop with the ending, and at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but upon further reflection, I think it was perfectly suited to this story and the characters. My one wish is that she would have included an epilogue because I wanted to read more about Jenny's happiness.
Just Destiny was so many things, but at its heart it was about personal growth and I loved that. I love Rizzo's intense, all-consuming writing style. Her second novel is even better than the first, and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next!
Thank you so much to the author, Theresa Rizzo, for allowing us to give away a copy of this great book! Anyone can enter to win an e-copy of Just Destiny. Fill out the form below to enter. The winner will be chosen in on 4/7/14.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5dfba624/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
Biography:
Theresa Rizzo is an award-winning author who writes emotional stories that explore the complexity of relationships and families through real-life trials.
Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she currently lives outside of Boulder, Colorado with her husband of thirty years. She’s raised four wonderful children who are now scattered across the country. Theresa’s debut book, He Belongs to Me was a finalist in the General Fiction Category of The 2013 USA Best Book Awards! Her second book, Just Destiny, will be released March 31, 2014.
Find Theresa on the web at www.theresarizzo.com, or connect with her on Facebook, twitter or Goodreads
This sounds so good! I haven't had a chance to read He Belongs To Me but I really want too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome review and give away!
Hi Kelli, thank you so much for the amazing review. I'm so pleased you enjoyed Just Destiny. I didn't include an epilogue in JD because Jenny and Steve are secondary characters in my next book out this fall--The Lives Between Us. So you'll get a chance to see them five years or so down the line.
ReplyDeleteDaydreamer, thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the stories.
I too loved HE BELONGS TO ME, and I can't wait to read JUST DESTINY--so much so that I already picked up my copy. Sorry I couldn't wait for the giveaway. But this way I'm leaving it up to someone else to discover the beauty in your writing!!! I wish you all the best in your writing journey, Theresa!
ReplyDelete