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Formats
E book Details
  • 03/2017
  • 9780998135519
  • 249 pages
  • $2.99
Hilari Cohen
Author
Adjusting The Rear View
Hilari Cohen, Author

Adult; General Fiction (including literary and historical); (Market)

Full Synopsis for “Adjusting The Rear View” This is a story told in both the present day and in flashback. We meet our protagonists as grown women but are taken back and forth through time to how they met so that we can gain a full understanding of their relationship, and how much they value each other’s friendship. Tobey Springer shows up at her best friend Jillian Bowman’s house on an early spring morning in a frenzy. Jillian has been depressed since the suicide death of her husband Bob the prior autumn, barely leaving the house and now not even answering the phone. Tobey lets herself in and finds Jillian in bed, curtains drawn, and the blanket practically over her head. It’s the last straw for Tobey. She insists that Jillian get up, shower and come out for breakfast with her. Tobey’s hatched a plan to help shake her friend out of her funk, she now needs to convince her to participate. Over coffee and omelets, Tobey tells Jillian that she wants them to travel in her soon-to-be ex-husband’s 1966 Mustang convertible across the country on a road trip, ultimately landing in Los Angeles to visit with Jillian’s daughter. Jillian would have dismissed the idea entirely, but she knows that her dear friend has uncovered her husband’s deceit – he has been having an affair for years – and that Tobey really needs to get away and put some space between her and her troubles. The next morning, they embark on their adventure, and Tobey admits that her husband has no idea that she’s taken his beloved car out of the garage. It’s just the beginning of a string of surprises, including the mission of the trip. Tobey wants to go to LA to reunite with an old boyfriend, Stephen, the one man in her life who got away from her. He’s become a huge movie star, and she wants another chance to see if the old spark between them is still there. And not only that – she also wants Jillian to touch base with her old flame, Ian – even though Jillian has absolutely no intention of ever letting that happen. As they drive across the country, Jillian becomes increasingly anxious. She feels as though she needs to confess her part in Bob’s suicide to Tobey. On the day he died, she did nothing to stop him, even though she knew that he was vulnerable to the idea of taking his own life. Jillian is afraid of Tobey’s reaction to the truth, because she knows that she can’t take another loss – if Tobey turns on her, Jillian doesn’t know what she would do. Plus, strange things begin to happen as they go along… their dinners and hotel rooms are paid for by a mysterious benefactor. Bunches of orange roses begin to appear in their room when they check into different hotels. Then, in Oklahoma, they encounter a tornado, and faced with the fear of the storm, Jillian finally tells Tobey about what happened the day Bob died. Tobey is furious, but more because Jillian had kept her feelings about that day to herself. She sees it as a betrayal of trust, and the two women have to come to terms with just how life’s twists and turns has affected their friendship. Tobey confronts Jillian about her secret, and Jillian questions Tobey about where her marriage hit the speed bump that has left it on such shaky ground. Once they talk out just how they feel, they continue on their way, only now Tobey feels that Jillian owes her something. And that something is having one drink with Ian. When they get to Las Vegas, Jillian realizes that she’s going to have to give into Tobey’s will. After a makeover and some retail therapy, they hit the famous strip, dressed to the nines, and out for some fun. When they get back to their hotel in the wee hours of the morning, they find Tobey’s husband Ted sitting in the hallway waiting for them. Jillian convinces Tobey that she’s got to talk to Ted, to see if there is any shot of salvaging her marriage. It’s a meeting that leaves Tobey on shaky ground. As they embark on the last leg of their trip to LA and the inevitable meeting between Jillian and Ian, Tobey must decide if she wants to give Ted a second chance. The night they arrive in LA, Jillian gets all dressed up and meets Ian in the hotel bar. It’s as if they’ve never been apart, and Jillian is taken back by her immediate feelings for him. At the book’s end, these two women are closer than ever. Tobey and Ted are back together and trying to make their marriage work. Jillian and Ian decide that life’s too short to live without love. And the reader gets the happily ever after she’s been hoping for! Full Synopsis for “Adjusting the Rear View” This is a story told in both the present day and in flashback. We meet our protagonists as grown women but are taken back and forth through time to how they met so that we can gain a full understanding of their relationship, and how much they value each other’s friendship. Tobey Springer shows up at her best friend Jillian Bowman’s house on an early spring morning in a frenzy. Jillian has been depressed since the suicide death of her husband Bob the prior autumn, barely leaving the house and now not even answering the phone. Tobey lets herself in and finds Jillian in bed, curtains drawn, and the blanket practically over her head. It’s the last straw for Tobey. She insists that Jillian get up, shower and come out for breakfast with her. Tobey’s hatched a plan to help shake her friend out of her funk, she now needs to convince her to participate. Over coffee and omelets, Tobey tells Jillian that she wants them to travel in her soon-to-be ex-husband’s 1966 Mustang convertible across the country on a road trip, ultimately landing in Los Angeles to visit with Jillian’s daughter. Jillian would have dismissed the idea entirely, but she knows that her dear friend has uncovered her husband’s deceit – he has been having an affair for years – and that Tobey really needs to get away and put some space between her and her troubles. The next morning, they embark on their adventure, and Tobey admits that her husband has no idea that she’s taken his beloved car out of the garage. It’s just the beginning of a string of surprises, including the mission of the trip. Tobey wants to go to LA to reunite with an old boyfriend, Stephen, the one man in her life who got away from her. He’s become a huge movie star, and she wants another chance to see if the old spark between them is still there. And not only that – she also wants Jillian to touch base with her old flame, Ian – even though Jillian has absolutely no intention of ever letting that happen. As they drive across the country, Jillian becomes increasingly anxious. She feels as though she needs to confess her part in Bob’s suicide to Tobey. On the day he died, she did nothing to stop him, even though she knew that he was vulnerable to the idea of taking his own life. Jillian is afraid of Tobey’s reaction to the truth, because she knows that she can’t take another loss – if Tobey turns on her, Jillian doesn’t know what she would do. Plus, strange things begin to happen as they go along… their dinners and hotel rooms are paid for by a mysterious benefactor. Bunches of orange roses begin to appear in their room when they check into different hotels. Then, in Oklahoma, they encounter a tornado, and faced with the fear of the storm, Jillian finally tells Tobey about what happened the day Bob died. Tobey is furious, but more because Jillian had kept her feelings about that day to herself. She sees it as a betrayal of trust, and the two women have to come to terms with just how life’s twists and turns has affected their friendship. Tobey confronts Jillian about her secret, and Jillian questions Tobey about where her marriage hit the speedbump that has left it on such shaky ground. Once they talk out just how they feel, they continue on their way, only now Tobey feels that Jillian owes her something. And that something is having one drink with Ian. When they get to Las Vegas, Jillian realizes that she’s going to have to give into Tobey’s will. After a makeover and some retail therapy, they hit the famous strip, dressed to the nines, and out for some fun. When they get back to their hotel in the wee hours of the morning, they find Tobey’s husband Ted sitting in the hallway waiting for them. Jillian convinces Tobey that she’s got to talk to Ted, to see if there is any shot of salvaging her marriage. It’s a meeting that leaves Tobey on shaky ground. As they embark on the last leg of their trip to LA and the inevitable meeting between Jillian and Ian, Tobey must decide if she wants to give Ted a second chance. The night they arrive in LA, Jillian gets all dressed up and meets Ian in the hotel bar. It’s as if they’ve never been apart, and Jillian is taken back by her immediate feelings for him. At the book’s end, these two women are closer than ever. Tobey and Ted are back together and trying to make their marriage work. Jillian and Ian decide that life’s too short to live without love. And the reader gets the happily ever after she’s been hoping for! Full Synopsis for “Adjusting the Rear View” This is a story told in both the present day and in flashback. We meet our protagonists as grown women but are taken back and forth through time to how they met so that we can gain a full understanding of their relationship, and how much they value each other’s friendship. Tobey Springer shows up at her best friend Jillian Bowman’s house on an early spring morning in a frenzy. Jillian has been depressed since the suicide death of her husband Bob the prior autumn, barely leaving the house and now not even answering the phone. Tobey lets herself in and finds Jillian in bed, curtains drawn, and the blanket practically over her head. It’s the last straw for Tobey. She insists that Jillian get up, shower and come out for breakfast with her. Tobey’s hatched a plan to help shake her friend out of her funk, she now needs to convince her to participate. Over coffee and omelets, Tobey tells Jillian that she wants them to travel in her soon-to-be ex-husband’s 1966 Mustang convertible across the country on a road trip, ultimately landing in Los Angeles to visit with Jillian’s daughter. Jillian would have dismissed the idea entirely, but she knows that her dear friend has uncovered her husband’s deceit – he has been having an affair for years – and that Tobey really needs to get away and put some space between her and her troubles. The next morning, they embark on their adventure, and Tobey admits that her husband has no idea that she’s taken his beloved car out of the garage. It’s just the beginning of a string of surprises, including the mission of the trip. Tobey wants to go to LA to reunite with an old boyfriend, Stephen, the one man in her life who got away from her. He’s become a huge movie star, and she wants another chance to see if the old spark between them is still there. And not only that – she also wants Jillian to touch base with her old flame, Ian – even though Jillian has absolutely no intention of ever letting that happen. As they drive across the country, Jillian becomes increasingly anxious. She feels as though she needs to confess her part in Bob’s suicide to Tobey. On the day he died, she did nothing to stop him, even though she knew that he was vulnerable to the idea of taking his own life. Jillian is afraid of Tobey’s reaction to the truth, because she knows that she can’t take another loss – if Tobey turns on her, Jillian doesn’t know what she would do. Plus, strange things begin to happen as they go along… their dinners and hotel rooms are paid for by a mysterious benefactor. Bunches of orange roses begin to appear in their room when they check into different hotels. Then, in Oklahoma, they encounter a tornado, and faced with the fear of the storm, Jillian finally tells Tobey about what happened the day Bob died. Tobey is furious, but more because Jillian had kept her feelings about that day to herself. She sees it as a betrayal of trust, and the two women have to come to terms with just how life’s twists and turns has affected their friendship. Tobey confronts Jillian about her secret, and Jillian questions Tobey about where her marriage hit the speedbump that has left it on such shaky ground. Once they talk out just how they feel, they continue on their way, only now Tobey feels that Jillian owes her something. And that something is having one drink with Ian. When they get to Las Vegas, Jillian realizes that she’s going to have to give into Tobey’s will. After a makeover and some retail therapy, they hit the famous strip, dressed to the nines, and out for some fun. When they get back to their hotel in the wee hours of the morning, they find Tobey’s husband Ted sitting in the hallway waiting for them. Jillian convinces Tobey that she’s got to talk to Ted, to see if there is any shot of salvaging her marriage. It’s a meeting that leaves Tobey on shaky ground. As they embark on the last leg of their trip to LA and the inevitable meeting between Jillian and Ian, Tobey must decide if she wants to give Ted a second chance. The night they arrive in LA, Jillian gets all dressed up and meets Ian in the hotel bar. It’s as if they’ve never been apart, and Jillian is taken back by her immediate feelings for him. At the book’s end, these two women are closer than ever. Tobey and Ted are back together and trying to make their marriage work. Jillian and Ian decide that life’s too short to live without love. And the reader gets the happily ever after she’s been hoping for! Full Synopsis for “Adjusting the Rear View” This is a story told in both the present day and in flashback. We meet our protagonists as grown women but are taken back and forth through time to how they met so that we can gain a full understanding of their relationship, and how much they value each other’s friendship. Tobey Springer shows up at her best friend Jillian Bowman’s house on an early spring morning in a frenzy. Jillian has been depressed since the suicide death of her husband Bob the prior autumn, barely leaving the house and now not even answering the phone. Tobey lets herself in and finds Jillian in bed, curtains drawn, and the blanket practically over her head. It’s the last straw for Tobey. She insists that Jillian get up, shower and come out for breakfast with her. Tobey’s hatched a plan to help shake her friend out of her funk, she now needs to convince her to participate. Over coffee and omelets, Tobey tells Jillian that she wants them to travel in her soon-to-be ex-husband’s 1966 Mustang convertible across the country on a road trip, ultimately landing in Los Angeles to visit with Jillian’s daughter. Jillian would have dismissed the idea entirely, but she knows that her dear friend has uncovered her husband’s deceit – he has been having an affair for years – and that Tobey really needs to get away and put some space between her and her troubles. The next morning, they embark on their adventure, and Tobey admits that her husband has no idea that she’s taken his beloved car out of the garage. It’s just the beginning of a string of surprises, including the mission of the trip. Tobey wants to go to LA to reunite with an old boyfriend, Stephen, the one man in her life who got away from her. He’s become a huge movie star, and she wants another chance to see if the old spark between them is still there. And not only that – she also wants Jillian to touch base with her old flame, Ian – even though Jillian has absolutely no intention of ever letting that happen. As they drive across the country, Jillian becomes increasingly anxious. She feels as though she needs to confess her part in Bob’s suicide to Tobey. On the day he died, she did nothing to stop him, even though she knew that he was vulnerable to the idea of taking his own life. Jillian is afraid of Tobey’s reaction to the truth, because she knows that she can’t take another loss – if Tobey turns on her, Jillian doesn’t know what she would do. Plus, strange things begin to happen as they go along… their dinners and hotel rooms are paid for by a mysterious benefactor. Bunches of orange roses begin to appear in their room when they check into different hotels. Then, in Oklahoma, they encounter a tornado, and faced with the fear of the storm, Jillian finally tells Tobey about what happened the day Bob died. Tobey is furious, but more because Jillian had kept her feelings about that day to herself. She sees it as a betrayal of trust, and the two women have to come to terms with just how life’s twists and turns has affected their friendship. Tobey confronts Jillian about her secret, and Jillian questions Tobey about where her marriage hit the speedbump that has left it on such shaky ground. Once they talk out just how they feel, they continue on their way, only now Tobey feels that Jillian owes her something. And that something is having one drink with Ian. When they get to Las Vegas, Jillian realizes that she’s going to have to give into Tobey’s will. After a makeover and some retail therapy, they hit the famous strip, dressed to the nines, and out for some fun. When they get back to their hotel in the wee hours of the morning, they find Tobey’s husband Ted sitting in the hallway waiting for them. Jillian convinces Tobey that she’s got to talk to Ted, to see if there is any shot of salvaging her marriage. It’s a meeting that leaves Tobey on shaky ground. As they embark on the last leg of their trip to LA and the inevitable meeting between Jillian and Ian, Tobey must decide if she wants to give Ted a second chance. The night they arrive in LA, Jillian gets all dressed up and meets Ian in the hotel bar. It’s as if they’ve never been apart, and Jillian is taken back by her immediate feelings for him. At the book’s end, these two women are closer than ever. Tobey and Ted are back together and trying to make their marriage work. Jillian and Ian decide that life’s too short to live without love. And the reader gets the happily ever after she’s been hoping for! This is a story told in both the present day and in flashback. We meet our protagonists as grown women but are taken back and forth through time to how they met so that we can gain a full understanding of their relationship, and how much they value each other’s friendship. Tobey Springer shows up at her best friend Jillian Bowman’s house on an early spring morning in a frenzy. Jillian has been depressed since the suicide death of her husband Bob the prior autumn, barely leaving the house and now not even answering the phone. Tobey lets herself in and finds Jillian in bed, curtains drawn, and the blanket practically over her head. It’s the last straw for Tobey. She insists that Jillian get up, shower and come out for breakfast with her. Tobey’s hatched a plan to help shake her friend out of her funk, she now needs to convince her to participate. Over coffee and omelets, Tobey tells Jillian that she wants them to travel in her soon-to-be ex-husband’s 1966 Mustang convertible across the country on a road trip, ultimately landing in Los Angeles to visit with Jillian’s daughter. Jillian would have dismissed the idea entirely, but she knows that her dear friend has uncovered her husband’s deceit – he has been having an affair for years – and that Tobey really needs to get away and put some space between her and her troubles. The next morning, they embark on their adventure, and Tobey admits that her husband has no idea that she’s taken his beloved car out of the garage. It’s just the beginning of a string of surprises, including the mission of the trip. Tobey wants to go to LA to reunite with an old boyfriend, Stephen, the one man in her life who got away from her. He’s become a huge movie star, and she wants another chance to see if the old spark between them is still there. And not only that – she also wants Jillian to touch base with her old flame, Ian – even though Jillian has absolutely no intention of ever letting that happen. As they drive across the country, Jillian becomes increasingly anxious. She feels as though she needs to confess her part in Bob’s suicide to Tobey. On the day he died, she did nothing to stop him, even though she knew that he was vulnerable to the idea of taking his own life. Jillian is afraid of Tobey’s reaction to the truth, because she knows that she can’t take another loss – if Tobey turns on her, Jillian doesn’t know what she would do. Plus, strange things begin to happen as they go along… their dinners and hotel rooms are paid for by a mysterious benefactor. Bunches of orange roses begin to appear in their room when they check into different hotels. Then, in Oklahoma, they encounter a tornado, and faced with the fear of the storm, Jillian finally tells Tobey about what happened the day Bob died. Tobey is furious, but more because Jillian had kept her feelings about that day to herself. She sees it as a betrayal of trust, and the two women have to come to terms with just how life’s twists and turns has affected their friendship. Tobey confronts Jillian about her secret, and Jillian questions Tobey about where her marriage hit the speedbump that has left it on such shaky ground. Once they talk out just how they feel, they continue on their way, only now Tobey feels that Jillian owes her something. And that something is having one drink with Ian. When they get to Las Vegas, Jillian realizes that she’s going to have to give into Tobey’s will. After a makeover and some retail therapy, they hit the famous strip, dressed to the nines, and out for some fun. When they get back to their hotel in the wee hours of the morning, they find Tobey’s husband Ted sitting in the hallway waiting for them. Jillian convinces Tobey that she’s got to talk to Ted, to see if there is any shot of salvaging her marriage. It’s a meeting that leaves Tobey on shaky ground. As they embark on the last leg of their trip to LA and the inevitable meeting between Jillian and Ian, Tobey must decide if she wants to give Ted a second chance. The night they arrive in LA, Jillian gets all dressed up and meets Ian in the hotel bar. It’s as if they’ve never been apart, and Jillian is taken back by her immediate feelings for him. At the book’s end, these two women are closer than ever. Tobey and Ted are back together and trying to make their marriage work. Jillian and Ian decide that life’s too short to live without love. And the reader gets the happily ever after she’s been hoping for!
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 10 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 9.00 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot: A dead husband, two longtime friends, and a road trip to visit their past. It’s an intriguing combination. What could possibly go wrong?

Prose: Although some of the dialogue could benefit from fewer adverbs, the prose is strong and true to the characters.

Originality: Although road-trip stories are part of our culture and our literature, this one offers a narrative that moves both forward and backward—in search of the past.

Character Development: By the time the book ends, the characters have developed, changed, and faced each other and the truth. This is a compelling, honest, and enjoyable book about two friends who confront their pasts and are changed by what they discover.

Blurb: Readers of women's fiction will appreciate and relate to this novel of missed (and second) chances. 

Date Submitted: May 19, 2017

Formats
E book Details
  • 03/2017
  • 9780998135519
  • 249 pages
  • $2.99
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