Title: The Turning Point
Series:
Author: Marie Meyer
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Published: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Forever Yours
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Author’s Gift
Cover Description:
It’s funny how a piece of paper can change your life-a diploma, a ticket . . . a plain, white envelope.
For as long as I could remember, I was the girl with the plan. Good college, good medical school, good career. I would save lives instead of standing by helplessly, watching while they slipped away.
That was before my father called for the first time in fifteen years to tell me about the terminal illness stealing his life-an illness that might be stealing mine, too. It was before he gave me the name of a doctor and a plane ticket to Italy. Before I flew across an ocean. Before I realized how brilliantly bright life could be. Before I met Lucas.
He’s everything I’ve always wanted, and the timing couldn’t be worse. I can’t do this to him-he deserves so much better. My head tells me I can’t afford to fall in love with Lucas, but my heart won’t listen. Lucas is fearless about the future, while I’m not even sure I have one. There’s only one way to know what’s ahead and it’s waiting for me at home inside a plain, white envelope.
Read on for my thoughts on The Turning Point. No true spoilers, promise.
I really only meant to take a peek. Aren’t those famous last words? Just a glimpse of the novel that the author, Marie Meyer, had sent me – I was taking a break from packing for the big move in three days and thought I’ll just look it over, since it was on my screen and all, ya know? Yeah, right. Hours later and bleary eyed now I have to figure out how to tell you about The Turning Point, and what an amazing story it is, without giving any spoilers… which may be difficult, although you get a lot from the Cover Description – but trust me, there is so much more to this story.
Sophia hasn’t spoken to her father for years, not since he walked out on her and her mother. Now as she’s graduating suddenly her mother is encouraging her to speak to her father, as his phone calls become more frequent. Sophia has never really understood how her mother or grandmother could have forgiven her father. It made no sense to her that someone could hurt you so deeply and then you just let go of the anger, the pain, the betrayal. It made no freaking sense. But she reluctantly contacts him, at her mother’s gentle insistence. That meeting will set her world into a spin that Sophia may never recover from. She finally had answers as to why he left his family, even if she did declare his reasons as cowardly. And to add insult he gave her a trip to Italy as a graduation gift. Like that was ever going to happen. She never, ever expected that she would follow in her father’s footsteps mere weeks later. That love would change everything, again – and that she too was capable of sacrifice even when it wasn’t needed or wanted.
Sophia did reluctantly take her trip to Italy. it was probably the best thing she had ever done for herself since it brought her into the path of Lucas. Literally, as she knocked him over during a trip to the ruins of Pompeii. Lucas is a handsome charmer, a man who practically left Sophia speechless. His determination to find reasons to be with her perplexed her but eventually she gave in to the simple joy of being around this captivating man. During the remaining weeks of her trip they were inseparable. And their romance slowly bloomed and grew into more than simply a holiday romance, there were real feelings between them. Then the bottom drops – and you’re going to have to read The Turning Point for all the juicy details that I’ve left out and the conclusion to this gripping tale… because I’ve probably already said too much.
Sophia never let Lucas know that she was a ticking time bomb, that the genetic illness that plagued her father might have been passed on to her as well. She had chosen to not be tested to find out the truth, but simply assumed that she had no future, no medical practice, no husband or children.. nothing would work for her. At times you will discover that Sophia can be very tunnel visioned. Lucas also has issues of his own that he eventually tells Sophia about, but she remains silent. Their romance is slow blooming, enhanced by the beauty of the Italian countryside, the various towns they visit and immersing themselves in the experience that is Italy. We get to watch as they fall in love, make decisions that will affect their future and eventually find their happily ever after. I loved this couple. They are realistic and believable. So many times I wanted to shake Sophia and say Just Tell Him… but she never heard me.
I may have lost a couple hours sleep last night – but as a reward I got to experience a romantic love story that any romance reader should have on their radar and on their TBR pile as well. I would definitely recommend The Turning Point. It’s a solid, good romance – it’s the reason I read love stories, to experience one just like this. Enjoy.
Available in paperback and for the Kindle
