Author: Sarah Pekkanen
ISBN-13: 9781451609820
Paperback: 323 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Sarah Pekkanen
drey's thoughts:
I am in awe. Sarah Pekkanen's Skipping a Beat is masterfully written, and I couldn't help but be touched, moved, engrossed... Julia and Michael are teenagers when they first meet and fall in love with each other. Both have baggage. Both are trying to escape their realities. Both find someone who understands where they're coming from, and why they want to go where they want to go...
Fast forward to the present day. Julia and Michael have left their childhood behind, gotten married, and built successful careers. Both have also let that success pull them apart. But then both get a second chance. Will they take it?
Character: I wasn't sure I liked Julia at first. Other than the flashback scene in Chapter Two, she was just another rich woman more involved in her own life, than someone who really cared what happened to her husband. It was all "what about me?"... Blaming her insecurities on her husband and her suspicions that he'd had an affair--it was too easy to do, you know what I mean? Where's your own culpability? But then as she and Michael finally start talking to each other again, I realized that Julia is just like any other woman out there. She's smart and strong, but her weak point is Michael, and she'd turned the other way instead of facing their issues head on, because she's afraid that confrontation would lead to his leaving her. Oh, the things we'd re-do if we had only known, huh?
Pace & Plot: Skipping a Beat isn't too slow- or too fast-paced, it moves at just the right speed for you to get into the story and feel like you know Julia and Michael. The story starts off kind of harsh (only a teensy bit), and mellows as you get further along. Warning--you should be ready with a tissue or two by the time you get to the end...
drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent: Pick this up if you're looking for a poignant read on what really matters...
2011 Challenge: New Author
Have you read Skipping a Beat? What did you think? And if you haven't, here's a chance to win your own copy...
Giveaway!!
I have one very-gently-read copy of Skipping a Beat for you. This one's for US residents only, and runs through 6pm CST March 2nd. To enter, comment below and tell us: What would you do with a second chance? Don't forget to include your email address.
19 comments:
I haven't read this yet, but I will be soon since I loved The Opposite of Me. I've heard Skipping a Beat is even better. No need to enter me.
My biggest regret was not travelling when I was younger as the youth do nowadays, but finances etc. made it difficult. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
If I had a second chance I would fix a broken relationship that I had with one of my ex's. I would say things differently so that it wouldn't of ended.
unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com
If I had a second chance I would go back to school, then back to work. Being a mom and homemaker is fine, but I think I missed out on a lot.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I would become a writer, a lot sooner.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
For a second chance I would have left the northern clime way earlier than I did. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
If I had a second chance, I wouldn't have turned down that unpaid internship with the Minnesota Film Board. Hrmph. It looks like a great story.
If I had a second chance I would have gotten my Masters Degree. I could have done it in one year but I backed out and never did go back to school for it. Big mistake.
The book sounds great, thanks for the chance.
waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com
If I had a second chance I would spend more time each day with my family.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
For a second chance I would have gone to college for a Masters degree. Guess I still could but don't know if I'm up to the challenge anymore!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I actually hadn't even heard of this before you review. But it sounds wonderful! I'm definitely adding it to my tbr list.
Oh and if I had a second chance I think I would have fought against my mother a little bit more. I would have been more brave and stood up for my future with my ex.
mishtakes AT gmail DOT com
I think I would leave things the way they are if I were given a second chance. Things are pretty good just as they are.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
If I had a second chance I'd stayed in college the first time I started when my girls were young. I believe all can have second and third and even fourth chances in life. Thx, Lisa
lisaglidewell[at]gmail[dot]com
I have had a second chance when I was very young. I did what I could with it. I got to start over, and have a better life.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
With a second chance I would relax more, not stress so much about all the little things, just go with the flow and ride!
-Andrea
lelloavengers@yahoo.com
If I had a second chance, I'd try to do things right and reverse the terrible outcomes.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
If I had a second chance at life I would go back and tell myself that it is impossible to always please everyone simultaneously, including yourself. It is important to keep yourself happy first because that's not being selfish, that is just respecting yourself and is the most crucial thing.
jsididia at gmail dot com
What would I do with a second chance? I would still marry my best friend and husband of 28 years and still have my three boys. The only thing I would do different is not drop out of college when I was pregnant with the third boy.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
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