Book Review: The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch
June 18th, 2010 by Danielle
What do you do when suddenly your perfect life is turned completely upside down? When everything you once treasured and cherished is swept away from before your eyes. This is what Tilly finds after a quick visit with an old friend, who’s now turned to a life of fortune telling, gifts her an incredible ability to see the future. The friends, the love, the town, her job, it all suddenly lacks the luster of years past and she’s left wondering if it’s her who’s changing or if it’s always been this way.
We all come to realizations in our lives, some sooner and others later in life. Unfortunately for Tilly it came at a point when she was finally settling into things, feeling like life was progressing happily and with very few bumps in the road. Yes, her best friends were separating and having their own marital problems, but her own marriage was going wonderfully. Tilly was walking around with “blinders” on so-to-speak. Her husband was upset with their current situation, her father was suffering a relapse of alcoholism and there were a number of other problems including her lack of ability to get pregnant. All of these things (and more) finally contribute to her slow descent into a more realistic outlook on life, something I’m not entirely sold on.
After reading this I’ve realized that I’m possibly more optimistic than I had previously thought. Granted, I’ve traveled, lived quite a bit of life before marrying and having my own family, but I’m not one hundred percent positive that those are things you absolutely need to have to be happy in life. I definitely think it’s possible to enjoy a happy life all while staying in the same town and enjoying the same company year in and year out. But what I think Allison Winn Scotch was trying to get at in this book was more the importance of living with our eyes wide open to the things around us and not taking what we have, be it there in front of us or just opportunities, for granted.
Throughout the course of the story Tilly discovers that maybe there was more she wanted than the same “high school” experience lived year after year. She got so caught up in taking care of everyone around her that it was difficult to think it was even possible to put herself first. That there would ever be the opportunity for herself to pursue something as simple as a trip to Paris or a college degree in something she truly loved. She suddenly has the “clarity” to see the possibilities that have always laid before her.
The One That I Want is a book about choices. About choosing to live life or allowing it to be lived for us. To allow the choices of others affect us to the point that we lose our own ability to live. Allison Winn Scotch has put to paper the story of a girl who’s life is wide open before her, just like us all, no matter our current situation. Life is meant to be lived, no matter where you are or how you do it, but it’s important to be honest with yourself about your choices. And never forget the possibilities.
Make sure to stop by tomorrow for a chance to enter to win a copy of The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch!
What do you do when suddenly your perfect life is turned completely upside down? When everything you once treasured and cherished is swept away from before your eyes. This is what Tilly finds after a quick visit with an old friend, who’s now turned to a life of fortune telling, gifts her an incredible ability to see the future. The friends, the love, the town, her job, it all suddenly lacks the luster of years past and she’s left wondering if it’s her who’s changing or if it’s always been this way.
We all come to realizations in our lives, some sooner and others later in life. Unfortunately for Tilly it came at a point when she was finally settling into things, feeling like life was progressing happily and with very few bumps in the road. Yes, her best friends were separating and having their own marital problems, but her own marriage was going wonderfully. Tilly was walking around with “blinders” on so-to-speak. Her husband was upset with their current situation, her father was suffering a relapse of alcoholism and there were a number of other problems including her lack of ability to get pregnant. All of these things (and more) finally contribute to her slow descent into a more realistic outlook on life, something I’m not entirely sold on.
After reading this I’ve realized that I’m possibly more optimistic than I had previously thought. Granted, I’ve traveled, lived quite a bit of life before marrying and having my own family, but I’m not one hundred percent positive that those are things you absolutely need to have to be happy in life. I definitely think it’s possible to enjoy a happy life all while staying in the same town and enjoying the same company year in and year out. But what I think Allison Winn Scotch was trying to get at in this book was more the importance of living with our eyes wide open to the things around us and not taking what we have, be it there in front of us or just opportunities, for granted.
Throughout the course of the story Tilly discovers that maybe there was more she wanted than the same “high school” experience lived year after year. She got so caught up in taking care of everyone around her that it was difficult to think it was even possible to put herself first. That there would ever be the opportunity for herself to pursue something as simple as a trip to Paris or a college degree in something she truly loved. She suddenly has the “clarity” to see the possibilities that have always laid before her.
The One That I Want is a book about choices. About choosing to live life or allowing it to be lived for us. To allow the choices of others affect us to the point that we lose our own ability to live. Allison Winn Scotch has put to paper the story of a girl who’s life is wide open before her, just like us all, no matter our current situation. Life is meant to be lived, no matter where you are or how you do it, but it‘s important to be honest with yourself about your choices. And never forget the possibilities.
Posted in 2010 releases, Book Reviews, Rating: 3/5 | 6 Comments »
YAY! So glad you enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for being on the tour!
Great review. After speaking with you about the book, I was interested in seeing how it would go. Great job. I like your reviews, you’re objective and are able to say what you think, without giving away too much.
I added this book to my tbr pile this week.. sounds so nice!
Lisa – Thanks so much for having Chick Lit Reviews on the tour! We love it!
Robyn – Thank you! I was really stressed about how it would come across. I definitely was aiming for objective, so I’m glad to hear it came across! Thanks!
Carol – You may really enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!
Great review! I have this one in my TBR.. and it definitely has an interesting theme!
Have added this to my Bookmooch wishlist so hopefully an US reader will add this to the inventory and will be willing to send to the UK