Sunday 2 December 2012

Devan's Story: Blue Hydrangeas by J.J Wallinford


Thirty six year old art teacher, Devan Scott has been unceremoniously dumped by the woman she thought was her happy ever after lover, Steph. She decides she needs a fresh start and to move from her home in Austin, Texas back to nearer to her roots. She eventually gets a job in Vancouver, Washington. Her one regret is leaving her older brother and his young family behind in Texas.

Devan finds herself a nice little place to live and with her new job in a local school, she’s set up. She decides she isn’t ready for anything heavy. She’s going to enjoy her new single status, go on a few dates, nothing serious. All these plans are going really well. That is until she meets Alex.

Devan is warned off Alex, warned that she’s a player, a heart breaker. Which of course is true. So Devan, forewarned, decides that Alex would make a great friend and nothing more. The only thing is, her heart is telling her something different.

After an accident to Alex’s sister, Cleo, Devan and Alex are pushed into taking the vacation together to Maui that had already been booked for Alex and Cleo. Their friendship begins to change. Will Devan fall in love and get her heart broken? Will Alex change her womanizing ways? Or will Devan be yet another notch on her bedpost?

This is the first book in the Vancouver series. As far as I can tell, it’s JJ Wallingford’s debut book. I have to say, I absolutely love it. I love the characters. The main character Devan starts off being this very unsure, somewhat shy person, virtually in the closet. It’s great to see how she meets up with new friends and gradually comes right out of her shell. Devan has no intentions of getting involved romantically with anyone after being dumped by her lover. But it really isn’t who she is. She is meant to be loved and in a relationship. She attracts women, but they all seem to be the same type as her ex, Steph. Until she meets Alex.

The change in Devan is almost immediate. It’s obvious to see that Devan and Alex will get together. What isn’t so obvious, is whether Devan will get hurt or not.

The characters are all well formed and easily interact with each other. It’s nice to see a group of friends getting on so well together.

This is a wonderful book, the dialogue flows and I simply couldn’t put it down. This is more than just another romance, these characters are so much like an everyday group of friends, that I’m still thinking about them two days after finishing the book. The story has it’s highs and lows. There are issues that JJ Wallingford has written about with a sympathy and understanding that takes the edge off the subject without playing it down. That’s as far as I can go without putting in any spoilers.

I can’t wait for the second book in this new and refreshing series. I’ll definitely re-read this book again.


No comments:

Post a Comment