Page-turner with fascinating characters

This story features a single mom who has a dangerous ex-boyfriend and a group of struggling jazz-music musicians. The combination of these elements creates great content for a heartwarming suspense movie similar to Where the Heart Is or Sleeping With the Enemy. The narrative is written in the present tense, which gives it a sense of immediacy. Although it lacks poetry, it still manages to engage the reader. For example, the sentence "It's Saturday morning, and we're in the middle of a bad thunderstorm." sets the scene effectively. Despite the lack of poetic language, I stayed up late to discover how the story ends. I found myself rooting for the good characters, empathizing with their difficult childhoods, and rejoicing in their victories. The characters are well-developed and their relationships add depth to the plot. Overall, it's a captivating read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I found some of the writing downright painful.

It seemed as if the words were stumbling over each other, lacking the grace and fluidity that I had hoped for.

However, despite this flaw in the writing, the story itself was still really good and touching.

It had the power to draw me in and make me care about the characters and their struggles.

The emotions were raw and real, and I could feel myself getting invested in their journey.

Even though the writing at times made it a bit of a struggle to get through, the overall impact of the story was not diminished.

It was a reminder that sometimes, even with a few imperfections, a story can still have the ability to move us and leave a lasting impression.

I'm glad that I didn't let the difficult writing stop me from experiencing this wonderful story.

I truly relished this book, yet I wasn't fond of the romance that was subtly suggested.

Rick... Rick had extremely profound psychological problems. Although I don't concur with anything he did, I do respect the author for presenting his vulnerable moments and revealing why the main character fell in love with him, not just because of his bad side. It's interesting that we can perceive his 'love' even as we witness how possessive and unbalanced he was. In a way, one can understand why someone who has never known a healthy form of love would accept it and soak in it until everything collapses.

One of the aspects I adored the most about this book was the way Patty prioritized Willie and the fact that Willie wasn't a perfect child. He was a typical two-year-old, and while that could be exasperating and annoying, it was the truth and what many single moms have to endure. The way she dealt with situations was in line with her upbringing, and I love that she attempted to do the best for Willie even as she second-guessed her decisions.

I didn't like the fact that she continuously let her mother back into her life. Personally, I found her mother to be just as, if not more, destructive than Rick. Because if her mother wasn't such a jealous b**ch, her daughter wouldn't have ended up with Rick in the first place. I can't respect or understand her in any way, especially after learning how she was with Willie when Patty wasn't home.

Johnathon. I kind of loathe him. He comes across as such a pretentious and overly dramatic douchebag. Even when he supposedly 'gets over himself', I don't believe it. I just have the feeling that he's found someone who is living that 'jazz' life and situations, and thus he has a muse outside of the pain he's experienced himself. I know it's an earlier time period and they're creatives, but I really hope he's not the person she ends up with because he gives me the creeps something fierce.

This book was truly frustrating and agonizingly slow.

From the very beginning, it seemed to lack the energy and momentum that would have drawn me in and kept me engaged.

The plot unfolded at a glacial pace, with little happening to hold my interest.

The characters were also rather one-dimensional and failed to make a lasting impression.

I found myself constantly struggling to get through each page, hoping that something exciting would finally occur.

Unfortunately, my hopes were largely in vain.

Overall, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to others.

There are simply too many other great books out there that offer a more engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

Save your time and pick up something else instead.

Patty finds herself completely entangled in her complex feelings for Rick, Mama, and Willie.

She seems to be constantly grappling with the question of whether these feelings are even permissible for her. Mama has been a consistent (and not so good) presence in her life, while Rick is a source of constant worry. On the other hand, Willie is the one (good) constant.

Rick is continuously engaged in a struggle with life, and although I feel he does have love for Patty, there is an overwhelming "Me! Me! Me!" aspect to it, which makes him bad for her. I truly hated to see Rick get killed in the end. Even though, in a way, he might have deserved it, to me, he remained a potentially redeemable character until the very end of the book.

Jonathan, unfortunately, wasn't a well-developed character. So, while it was acceptable to see Patty go with him, the author didn't give us enough opportunity to get to know him well enough to feel that he was the "obvious right choice."

Until the end, neither was Rick the "obvious wrong choice" as he did seem to care about Patty and Willie. I understand that having Patty go with Rick in the end would have been a much more challenging decision for the author, but it would have made for a much stronger story in terms of his redemption. I'm not sure what might have happened with Patty and Jonathan in that case.

This is not your typical, average, garden variety chic lit.

It's much more than that. At times, it may seem predictable, but more often than not, it takes unexpected turns.

The protagonist is a gutsy girl, and her story is anything but ordinary. Her circumstances are equally unique and captivating.

The story line is solid, with a nice plot that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

I truly don't think anyone who reads this will be disappointed. It is actually well thought out, and the author has done a great job of creating an interesting and engaging narrative.

The characters are well-developed, and the reader can't help but root for the protagonist as she navigates through the challenges and obstacles in her life.

This is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers, whether you're a fan of chic lit or just looking for a good story.

So, if you're in the mood for a fun, engaging read, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed.

The character development in this work was, at times, rather weak. The characters seemed to lack depth and complexity, and their growth and evolution throughout the story were not as pronounced as one might have hoped.

However, despite this flaw, I still found myself enjoying the story as a whole. The plot was engaging and held my attention from beginning to end. There were enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat, and the overall narrative arc was well-structured.

In particular, the last third of the story was really great. It was here that the story truly came alive, with the action ramping up and the stakes getting higher. The characters finally began to show some real growth and development, and the ending was both satisfying and unexpected.

Overall, while the character development may have been lacking in some areas, the story itself was strong enough to make up for it. I would definitely recommend this work to others who enjoy a good, engaging read.

Any book that you manage to finish reading in less than 36 hours is bound to be good.

There are certain elements in this book that immediately draw you in. Music, children, the sense of being the underdog, and the Missouri setting - all these things made me feel as if I was on very familiar ground from the very first page.

However, it is what Tucker does with these elements that truly showcases the emotional power of the story.

Tucker weaves a narrative that is both engaging and deeply moving, taking the reader on a journey through the lives of the characters and making them feel as if they are a part of the story.

The book is a testament to the power of good writing and the ability of a story to touch the hearts and souls of its readers.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book is definitely worth reading.

So, pick up a copy and get ready to be transported to a world of emotions and experiences that you will never forget.

Heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.

This statement truly encapsulates the complex emotions that this work evokes. It's not a case of all-out love, but rather a deep sense of liking.

The story seems to take us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. There are moments that are so heartrending that they tug at our very souls. We feel the pain and suffering of the characters as if it were our own.

Yet, amidst the heartbreak, there are glimmers of hope. These moments give us a reason to keep going, to believe that things might just work out in the end.

Overall, it's a work that leaves a lasting impression. It may not be a perfect 5-star masterpiece, but it definitely earns its 3.5 stars.

It makes us think, feel, and question. It's a story that will stay with us long after we've turned the last page.

This was the first book I read by Lisa Tucker.

I have to say that, in my opinion, this is the best one so far.

I chose it mainly because I have a great passion for music.

Perhaps I was a bit too old to be reading this book as it seems to be more tailored towards teenagers.

However, I guess it really depends on what kind of books one likes.

I decided to give it four stars.

The reason is that I think it's a truly great story.

The subject matter, which is music, suits the writer extremely well due to her own life experience.

This allows her to fully express the story and bring it to life in a vivid and engaging way.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read despite the initial misgivings about my age and its target audience.

I would definitely recommend it to others who have an interest in music or are looking for a good story.

A psychopath, a singer, a child of two, a composer and his friends - put them together and you'll have a brilliant and beautiful story.

This is the premise of my first book by Lisa Tucker. The diverse cast of characters immediately piques the reader's interest. The psychopath adds an element of mystery and danger, while the singer brings a touch of glamour and artistry. The child of two serves as a symbol of innocence and hope in the midst of chaos.

The composer and his friends are the driving force behind the story, creating the music that weaves the different lives together. As the narrative unfolds, we see how these disparate individuals interact and influence each other, leading to a conclusion that is both unexpected and satisfying.

Lisa Tucker's writing is engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the characters and their world. The story is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end. Overall, my first book by Lisa Tucker is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery or a heartwarming story about the power of friendship and music.

Not one of my favorites.

This statement might seem simple, but it holds a certain degree of significance. When we say something is not one of our favorites, it implies that there are other things that we prefer more. It could be a book, a movie, a food, or any other thing.

For example, if we say that a particular restaurant is not one of our favorites, it means that there are other restaurants that we enjoy going to more. Maybe the food at that restaurant is not to our taste, or the service is not as good as we would like.

In conclusion, the phrase "not one of my favorites" is a common way of expressing our preferences and dislikes. It helps us to communicate with others and to make decisions about what we want to do or experience.