Review: Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby

redisigningTitle: Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby
Publisher: Lydia Laceby
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s, Fiction, Romance
Length: 280 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author

Summary:

Rose Parker’s husband has been lying. About everything.

When a conversation with her husband triggers questions, Rose Parker uncovers alarming answers that shatter her perfect life. But it is only when she shoves her belongings in her SUV and drives off that Rose realizes just how far from perfect her life actually was. She has nowhere to turn.

While debating between distressing sleeping arrangements-her mother’s house full of questions or a hotel room with too much solitude-Rose bumps into an acquaintance from her gardening class and allows bubbly, exuberant Becky to indulge her in a wild night full of whiskey, weeping, and whispered confidences. Suddenly, Rose has a new friend, a roof over her head, and two gorgeous men moving her out of her marital home.

As Rose struggles to settle into her new life, she remains determined to comprehend her past. And with time and distance and especially wine, comes knowledge. Frank wasn’t the only one lying to her. Rose was lying to herself.

The Review:

Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby is an uplifting and heartfelt journey of self-discovery for Rose Parker. Unexpected friendships, new love interests and exciting career opportunities also await her as she rises from the ashes of her failed marriage.

One lie is all it takes for Rose to uncover the ugly truth about her husband, Frank, and she does not waste any time leaving him. She has no idea where she is going or what she plans to do next when she runs into Becky, a member of her gardening club. Recently divorced, Becky takes Rose under wing, offers her a place to stay and gives her some much need advice about ending her marriage. She also reconnects with her mom and with her unwavering support, Rose takes a candid look at what went wrong in her marriage and the toll it took on her relationships.

Rose is full of doubt once she exposes all of Frank’s lies and betrayals. She questions her judgment and Frank’s sincerity, but what really plagues her the most is how she could have been so blind to his misdeeds. She is refreshingly honest and she is willing to accept her share of the blame in how her life and marriage got so far off track. Rose is determined to understand what led to her mistakes and she takes great pains to avoid repeating them in future relationships.

Becky is a great person and she is just what Rose needs. Upbeat and cheerful, she refuses to let Rose wallow in self-pity. Becky tries to keep her busy and the introduction of her brother Scott and his friend Adam goes a long in achieving this goal. By all appearances, Becky has picked up the pieces after her divorce and her life seems to be headed in a positive direction. But she has ghosts and secrets that haunt her and this takes the novel to a darker, more serious place.

Rose is fascinated by Scott right from their very first meeting. She is impressed by his kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness. They share a mutual attraction but Rose is afraid that dating Scott will put a strain on her friendship with Becky so she shuts down any possibility of a romance pretty much right away. Their close friendship is threatened when Rose begins dating another man but a surprising epiphany by Rose and a dangerous situation involving Becky become the catalyst for some long overdue changes in their relationships.

Complicated, messy and true to life, Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby is a compelling novel with a vibrant cast of characters. It is a wonderful story of friendship, healing and love that I highly recommend.

5 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Lydia Laceby, Rated B+, Redesigning Rose, Review, Romance

5 Responses to Review: Redesigning Rose by Lydia Laceby

  1. I loved this book, thanks for reviewing!

  2. Cindy DeGraaff

    Thanks for the review!

  3. Timitra

    Thanks for the review Kathy

  4. Thank you for hosting a stop on the blog tour, Kathy, and thank you for your kind words about Redesigning Rose! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed Rose’s journey!

  5. I’m really enjoying this line-up of book blogs on Lydia’s CLP Blog Tour! This is a wonderful book site – so much to discover – including this great review of Lydia Laceby’s debut novel. I’m really enjoying my Saturday morning cruising around the blogosphere. So nice to visit here. Cheers!