Monday 19 October 2015

Review: Lotus by Kay W. Smith

Kay Smith is on tour October 19-26 with her novel Lotus, visit CLP Blog Tours for details of all the tour stops.
Shellyback books is delighted to be kicking off the tour by hosting the first stop.

Saying ‘I do’ is easy. Deciding who to spend forever with can be a little complicated.

Newlywed Lotus Price has everything that she should have ever wanted: a great husband and a dream job as an executive of Chicago’s most prominent philanthropic foundation. Her pre-planned future seemed to be gift-wrapped in a perfect bow, until the day she discovers she is pregnant and runs into her first love. Despite his offer to be friends, Lotus tries to keep the past where it belongs. As the pregnancy begins to interrupt the dream that Lotus envisioned for her marriage, she is forced to rethink everything she thought she knew, including the single day that led her to her husband and away from the man she saw herself spending forever with.

Ultimately, the one question which will remain is who will be willing to give up what they have in order to get what they have always desired? In the end, the scars that each of them thought were long buried will resurface to reveal the single event that changed each of their lives forever.

My Thoughts:

This debut novel is powerful and thought provoking. It is about choice, the ability to forgive and ultimately what is most important in love and life. For its size this is quiet a substantial book, at a 180 pages it isn't a long book but is packed with quality content and story. I found this title very hard to put down and read it in a single sitting.

Lotus pregnant with her first child, married to her best friend finds herself in a love triangle when an old flame the man she can't forget re-enters her life in a chance encounter. Lotus needs to ask herself why she can't let go of someone who hurt her, and why she is willing to lose a person who has proven he loves her.

The character development in this book is extremely good. At first when we are introduced to Lotus, her husband and former lover the temptation is to take each at face value. As the book progresses we learn more about each character, their motivation and insecurities. It is this character development which makes the book so interesting and thought provoking.

My first impression of Lotus and her husband were not good, but gradually i warmed to both. Lotus cried tears at her wedding for another man with whom she was obviously still in love. Her husband came over as more interested in his career than his wife and child. In contrast i found it easy to empathise with her former lover who is now a doctor and despite his failings came over as sympathetic and far less selfish and self-centred.

Gradually we learn about the past and how much the death of her sister impacted her life, how grief colours our vision and effects our choices.

I got more than I bargained for when I opened this book. Amazon lists this book under romance but make no mistake this isn't your typical romance or women's fiction title. The ending really surprised me. It's potential for discussion makes this is an ideal choice for a book club read, the questions in the back of the book providing a good starting point for discussion. As the story drew to a close I personally was left with the following questions to ponder.

Is it true that

  • love is about giving up many things to be with the person you love?
  • the past doesn't matter because the only thing which matters is today?
  • Should Lotus sacrifice what she knows she needs for what she thinks she wants?

    Highly recommended.

    What others are saying:

    IndieReader - “The revelations tied to Lotus’ fate are done slowly and masterfully and the fullest portrait of the situation is only illuminated in the final pages….A portrait of a woman at a crossroads, LOTUS is an unflinching look at marriage, secrets, and loss.”

    Jersey Girl Book Reviews - "riveting and realistic portrayal of the complications of life and love... hard to put down... mixture of drama, emotion, and humour ... will simply leave you wanting more.

    This side of Paradise books - "I couldn’t put this book down... Every woman imagines what could have been but not many get a second chance to find out…"

    Polished and Bubbly - "This is one of those stories that just makes sense ... the writing is so flawless, it seems seamless. Lotus is ... so well developed ... She's one of those characters you feel a connection with."

  • Format: ebook and paperback
  • Author: Kay W. Smith
  • Publisher: Self published (14 July 2015)
  • kay smith

    Kay W. Smith is a writer and blogger living in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two sons.

    She worked in public policy for several years before pursuing her passion to write full-time. In addition to writing she also teaches a quarterly seminar focused on the fundamentals of successful blogging and provides guidance on how to effectively write on socially-sensitive and controversial topics.

    She is a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

    Connect with the Author:
    Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

    Blog Tour:

  • October 19 – Shellyback Books
  • October 20 – Polished & Bubbly
  • October 20 – This Side of Paradise
  • October 22 – Cindy Arora
  • October 23 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews
  • October 26 – Granny Loves to Read
  • October 26 – Two Children and a Migraine
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