Review: The Thick of Things by J.L. Campbell
The Thick of Things by J.L. Campbell Published by Garden Avenue Press on March 16, 2018
Genres: African American, Contemporary Women, Mature Romance, Romance
Pages: 237
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Life has a way of going awry when you least expect it, and Khalila Skyers learns this lesson the hard way. In one devastating blow after another, she loses her cosy existence. Then Douglas Blythe overtakes her life like a flood, and she's not equipped to deal with an attraction that seems forbidden and overwhelming. But her body and heart want what they want, and leave her wondering if she ever knew herself at all.
Douglas is determined to help Khalila move beyond her obsession with the past and reach for love a second time. No matter how long it takes. No matter the distance. He’s going to prove he's worth the risk.
The Thick of Things is a mature romance is set in Jamaica, and both main characters are from the Caribbean; the heroine being Jamaican and the hero hailing from Antigua. As an island girl, I’m always willing to pick up a book set in the Caribbean so that I can see how much of the culture is infused into the story.
Khalila has experienced tragedy and is in the midst of a divorce when she sees Douglas Blythe again at an annual golf tournament in Jamaica where she volunteers. She’s seen him at the same tournament in the past and there was always a slightly underlying attraction between them. This time, he’s ready to make a move and while she’s not completely ready to move on, she’s able to accept some of his advances.
Douglas was patient and understanding with Khalila as she struggled to figure out how to stand on her own again and move past her tragedy and failed marriage. He entered her life at the right time because Khalila was at a point in her life where grief was threatening to swallow her whole. It didn’t’ seem that she didn’t want to take steps forward even though she paid her friend and others lip service.
The Thick of Things was a mature romance, which was a refreshing change for me. Khalila and Douglas took things slow, though admittedly there were times when it was a bit too slow. If it were up to Douglas, they would’ve been a couple from the beginning but he gave her enough space to come to him and understand that he only had her best interest at heart. I respected that.
The Thick of Things is a novel about second chances, sunshine after a period of darkness and a reminder that it’s okay to feel joy again after immense pain.
Natalya is the author of All The Things I Never Said, a soul-stirring collection of short stories, prose and love letters for the soulful wanderers, the brokenhearted and the hopeless romantics.
You can follow her rantings and occasional sparks of brilliance on Twitter @NatalyaMuncuff.
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