I can't fully explain the emotions running through my mind after finishing a Laura Miller novel. Love. Heartbreak. Hope. Maybe the most accurate would just simply be happy. I feel so happy. Every. Single. Time. If happiness means too many smiles to count and many tears, then yeah...that pretty much describes how I feel after reading By Way of Accident. If you're new to Laura Miller, here's my one opinion - Go buy every book she has or ever will release. You'll be hooked. I promise.
I'll sound like a broken record right now and you've probably read it too many times to count - I love romance novels. Pure, sweet, innocent romance novels. Novels that sweep you away from the life you lead and into not a fairytale or a fantasy, but somewhere real. Somewhere you connect with because you might have been that person once. Those are my kind of books.
That description will also tell you what I loved most about By Way of Accident. It felt like my reality for a few years of my life. I'm from Oklahoma. We farm. My first love was a farmer that reminded me so much of River, it took my breath away. The interactions between River and Brooke, and the day to day life that River led while on the farm were dead on. So to say that Laura either did her homework or wrote from what she knows is a massive understatement. She knew how to describe the scenes and times so perfectly, and every moment jumps off of the page because of it.
I'll sound like a broken record right now and you've probably read it too many times to count - I love romance novels. Pure, sweet, innocent romance novels. Novels that sweep you away from the life you lead and into not a fairytale or a fantasy, but somewhere real. Somewhere you connect with because you might have been that person once. Those are my kind of books.
That description will also tell you what I loved most about By Way of Accident. It felt like my reality for a few years of my life. I'm from Oklahoma. We farm. My first love was a farmer that reminded me so much of River, it took my breath away. The interactions between River and Brooke, and the day to day life that River led while on the farm were dead on. So to say that Laura either did her homework or wrote from what she knows is a massive understatement. She knew how to describe the scenes and times so perfectly, and every moment jumps off of the page because of it.
I also love how unique her stories always are. Always. She doesn't need sex. She doesn't need the language. She doesn't have to have the massive shock factor. She shows that you can and will be pulled into their world and become emotionally invested in their journey without any of it. Miller can write an honest love story and still keep you captivated.
I couldn't get enough of River and Brooke, but especially River since you experience the hello's, goodbye's, and many years apart through his eyes. I loved how much he cared about Brooke. Even after years between them and feeling like he would never be with her again, he never quite let go. He couldn't not love her. And that makes me love him.
His story is very sweet, but also very entertaining. You'll find yourself flying through this book because you must know what happens. I told myself over and over that I'd put it down after "one more chapter." Don't lie to yourself like that. It won’t happen! You'll have to know. Between the letters, the high school girlfriend, and the Brooke stalking, you'll be way too intrigued to stop.
Overall, I feel like saying "I loved it" just isn't enough. I did love it. It's a classic, all-American, enchanting love story. It’s young love and the fight to keep that within your grasp. It's never letting go, no matter how many years or miles are placed in between. It'll cause that first time, tummy flutters, can't breathe feeling, but also make you step back and think about your own life. In my opinion, I can wind By Way of Accident all down to one word: Perfection.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, and I’m nearly positive I’ll be able to say it in all future reviews for her – No one writes a love story like Laura Miller. No one.
<3 Erin
I couldn't get enough of River and Brooke, but especially River since you experience the hello's, goodbye's, and many years apart through his eyes. I loved how much he cared about Brooke. Even after years between them and feeling like he would never be with her again, he never quite let go. He couldn't not love her. And that makes me love him.
His story is very sweet, but also very entertaining. You'll find yourself flying through this book because you must know what happens. I told myself over and over that I'd put it down after "one more chapter." Don't lie to yourself like that. It won’t happen! You'll have to know. Between the letters, the high school girlfriend, and the Brooke stalking, you'll be way too intrigued to stop.
Overall, I feel like saying "I loved it" just isn't enough. I did love it. It's a classic, all-American, enchanting love story. It’s young love and the fight to keep that within your grasp. It's never letting go, no matter how many years or miles are placed in between. It'll cause that first time, tummy flutters, can't breathe feeling, but also make you step back and think about your own life. In my opinion, I can wind By Way of Accident all down to one word: Perfection.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, and I’m nearly positive I’ll be able to say it in all future reviews for her – No one writes a love story like Laura Miller. No one.
<3 Erin
