YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU - Shirley Hailstock
Dafina/Romance
April 2005
SYNOPSIS: After disappearing for nine years in the Federal Witness Protection Program, a young woman returns to her hometown--and to a man from her past--and opens her heart to the future.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4+) Jennifer Brathwaite
REVIEW: You can never go home again, change is inevitable; yet home is where the heart is. These divergent ideas, skilfully and engagingly intertwined, are the themes of Ms. Hailstock’s wonderful novel, YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU.
The story is that of young girl who was forced into the witness protection program and now several years later has emerged from the program a woman determined to go back to the home and the town she left so long ago. Her hope is to claim the life she once imagined for herself; a dream that sustained her during the many years she was away. Once back in her hometown of Lake Como, during her quiet attempt to ease back into her former life, she meets up with the brother of her childhood friend – someone who used to make her unsure and uncomfortable – and finds herself developing feelings for him and he for her. After a few months of peace this woman starts to feel tension/unease where there once was tranquillity and doesn’t know if the feelings are real or imagined.
The pacing of the book is good with Ms. Hailstock dedicating enough time to the past to bring depth to the story but not so much to as to be boring. Further the reader is brought along at a rate which allows them to get to know the characters and to care about them.
The characters of YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU are excellently structured, well rounded, unique personalities. The reader has an impression of Bill (Sam’s brother) even before getting the chance to meet him. U.S. Marshall Aaron McKnight, Rachel’s protector but bane of her existence, is honest and believable. Alex and the other kids from the youth centre are all vivid and contribute to the reader’s understanding of, and emotion towards, the main characters.
Ms. Hailstock draws a picture of Lake Como that is charming and unpretentious which contributes to the enjoyment of the book. In addition she does a great job of using location to give background on the characters and insight into their personalities. Sam and his relationship with Detroit are a primary example.
The dialogue in the text is very good, showing the characters’ personalities and the affection they have of each other in equal measure. From Bill’s enthusiasm and Rachel’s frankness to Sam’s deep feelings for Rachel, through Ms. Hailstock’s writing, the reader is presented with dialogue that is convincing and lively.
Overall YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU is extremely enjoyable. It is exciting and full of intrigue. The story is loving and romantic even though the romance took a bit too long to manifest. With fluid, lyrical writing Ms. Hailstock does an admiral job of blending the elements of mystery with that of romance to create a book that is realistic and a wonderful read.
jennifer@romanceincolor.com (16th April 2005)