Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009

Book Review: When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge

Author: Jennie Shortridge

Publisher: Accent/Penguin

ISBN #:   978-0-451-22798-0

Type:  Fiction

Pages: 322 Trade Paperback

Published:  June 23, 2009

Website:  http://www.jennieshortridge.com

Purchase:  $10.20 (HERE) 

The Story

There are two main focuses in Jessica Villareal’s life:  her career as a police officer and her role as a mother.   As she approaches middle age, she looks back at the things she’s done right, as well as the things she can do better in her relationship with her daughter.  Her career is at the center of her life… being a cop is who Jess is.

At work, while investigating a call from day hikers in the local Oregon woods, Jess and her team spot an Iraq veteran living with his daughter in a makeshift camp and treehouse.  Being forced to abide by the law, Jess and her team decide to bring them into the station.

Knowing the rules about minors as Jess does, she knows that the father and daughter, Lindy, will end up separated as the young girl would be put into protective custody.  After Jess discovers that no real harm has come to Lindy, she tries to find a way to protect father and daughter and keep them together… even if it means that she has to jeopardize her job for the first time in her beloved career.

As Lindy and her father avoid the repercussions of the law and the unrelenting press, she discovers many things about her world and her life with her father.

The Review

This book is really one story, told by two different people: Jess and Lindy.  They both have to change… and meeting one another is the catalyst that springboards them both into that personal growth.   Jess learns what it means to put yourself on the line to do the right thing.  Through the ordeal with her job, the press, and Lindy’s dependence on Jess to bring her through this difficult time, Jess gains an entirely new perspective on what’s important in life. 

What I truly appreciated about this book was the reality in which the relationships between mother and daughter were written.  Jess’ character became familiar to me with ease as did understanding her relationship with her daughter.  Although Jess is the heroine of this story, the young Lindy appears to be one too.  As the reader pulls for Jess to improve her life, the same can be said about wishing for Lindy’s life to become easier and more fulfilling.  Overall, I truly appreciated the parallels between the two characters and watching their stories unfold.

For any mom who has made big mistakes with her daughter, this would be a good book to read to see that redemption is not far away.

The Rating

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving When She Flew  a rating of 8.5 out of 10.  I was easily swept into this intertwined set of stories… of a woman and of a girl and how the intersection of their lives altered their courses forever.

Giving Thanks

I wanted to thank TLC Book Tours for inviting me to participate on the book review tour for When She Flew.

10 Comments