Review: Carly's Gift

Carly’s Gift

by Georgia Bockoven

Why did you choose this book? The cover is so interesting!

When did you read this book? September 2013

Who should read this book? fans of contemporary women’s fiction

Source: TLC Book Tours

Here is a synopsis of Carly’s Gift from TLC Book Tours

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.

My Review 

I have never read any of Georgia Bockovern’s books before this one, but I can tell you that this won’t be the last one I read! This will definitely make my ‘best of 2013’ when the year ends.

Carly, Ethan, and David have known each other forever, ever since they were young children. They were best buds and as they grew up, David and Ethan were best friends, and David and Carly fell in love. However, Ethan was also in love with Carly. Fast forward 16 years. Carly is married to Ethan and neither have been in contact with David for many years. Carly and Ethan are not so happily married and raising three children.

When David’s father dies, David returns to town after all those years, and is determined to talk to Carly to gain some closure. Ethan is very insecure in his marriage and does not want David anywhere around his family. And Carly has a very big secret she has been keeping all these years.

I read this story in almost one sitting, but life interferred and I had to read it in two! Once I got into the story, I found it hard to put down. There were parts that were sad, and other parts that were amazing. Ethan was pretty much a jerk through out much of the book, and even though it was easy to understand how his insecurity made him jealous, he was a little over the top towards Carly, and he was outright cruel to the daughter. As I read, I often wondered why Carly didn’t just reveal the secret and how bad things could have been had she been honest from the beginning. I still have to wonder if things wouldn’t have been better for her, but when the reasons for her decision became clear, I did understand. I still am not sure it was the right decision, but can’t say a lot more without major spoilers.

Read it. Find a friend to read with you so you can discuss it. And if you are in a book club, you definitely should make this one of your book club selections!

Georgia Bockoven is an award-winning author who began writing fiction after a successful career as a freelance journalist and photographer. Her books have sold more than three million copies worldwide. The mother of two, she resides in Northern California with her husband, John.

Find out more about Georgia at her website and connect with her on Facebook.

My Rating:  ★★★★1/2   4-1/2 Stars

This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I received a copy of the book in return for an honest review, which you can read above.

Georgia’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, September 17th: Kritters Ramblings

Wednesday, September 18th: A Patchwork of Books

Thursday, September 19th: Literally Jen

Tuesday, September 24th: Turn the Page

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

TBD: Tina’s Book Reviews