Before and again

Barbara Delinsky can always be counted on for well-written, detailed women's fiction (I learned more about the artistry of applying makeup than I ever needed to know). Before and Again deals skillfully with grief and forgiveness - even as I was wondering why Maggie's narration seemed so emotionless considering the losses she had suffered, I gradually realized that it reflected the polite facade she had constructed to survive. And once she begins to process her grief, the narration becomes much more gut-wrenching and poignant.

There are a few things, however, that kept me from enjoying this book more. First is Delinsky's utter disdain for the media, who are all portrayed as uncaring vultures preying on innocent victims. Even the reporter whose career has been hurt by a hacking scandal is seen as overreacting, and the sympathy is completely directed at the teenager accused of the crime.

Also (I'm staying somewhat vague here to avoid spoilers) one of the men in Maggie's life makes a major decision without consulting her that comes off more as stalkerish than romantic, and I wanted Maggie to demand an apology when she learned the truth about his intentions.

Finally, while I understand that the point of the book is to demonstrate the impact of her friend Grace's crisis on Maggie's determination to keep her past hidden, it feels a little weird for the major action in the book to be sidelined in favor of Maggie's personal growth and romantic rebirth. I wish Delinsky had given Grace and her son more attention, or even a spin off told from their point of view.

Still, it's been a few years since Delinsky's last release and her novels are always guaranteed page turners. I just had a few more complaints than usual as I turned the pages.

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.