The Story of Us

March 16, 2015
Two weeks before Emma’s wedding, she and her best friend, Amy, get in a car crash. A stranger pulls them from the wreck; Emma survives, but Amy dies. Emma postpones the wedding, which she was already having tiny second thoughts about, and tries to ride out the grief. But as she struggles to come to terms with Amy’s absence and an assortment of other stressors, she discovers a connection with her rescuer, Jack, who thoughtfully kept in touch after the accident. While Emma fights her growing attraction to Jack, secrets unearthed by Amy’s untimely death cause Emma to question her engagement, and soon she has no idea what shape her future will take. This contemporary drama is emotionally powerful, but the dark overtones and slow pace make it too heavy for a casual read.

May 15, 2015

Atkins (Then and Always) tackles familiar romantic conventions in her second novel. Emma is involved in a terrible car accident on the night of her bachelorette party. She's rescued by a stranger named Jack, who checks up on her later in the hospital. His presence causes discord between Emma and her fiance, Richard. Emma must make a decision about her future amidst conflicting advice from friends and family. But she's facing more than romantic turmoil; she's also helping to care for her mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. As Emma begins to uncover long-held secrets, her view of her history shifts. The story is bookended by two sections in which a future Emma reflects on her story. It gives a pleasant sense of completion, hinting that Emma's final decision was the right one. VERDICT Atkins's fluid narrative voice moves the story along quickly and enjoyably despite the obstacles in Emma's path. This novel will appeal to readers who love the emotional ups and downs of conflicted characters, as written by Liane Moriarty or Jane Green.--Melanie Kindrachuk, Stratford P.L., Ont.

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