The Two of Us in Transformational Fiction

Aug 10, 2017 Rebecca rated it really liked it

"To leap or retreat? To plunge ahead with the courage of a soldier, or to hold back with the wisdom of a judge?"

"It's your choice", he had said. "Join me for breakfast?", he had asked. Mia Robinson has a decision to make after a curious meeting with a total stranger. Typically she holds her cards pretty close, especially when it involves a man, having been hurt so deeply in the past. Something about the handsome Jake Tanner, with the loyal service dog, lures her into thinking that she might take ...more

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Sep 02, 2017 Becky rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017

I finished reading The Two of Us with mixed emotions. I really enjoyed both Mia's and Jake's journeys as they pursued the paths they thought God had for them but then had unexpected alternatives pop up. Their romance was believable and enjoyable (I especially enjoyed how they met), and had the book solely been about them, I would have loved it.

However, two aspects of the novel kept me from wholeheartedly embracing it. The first is regarding Mia's sister Lucy and Lucy's husband Sam. While their p I finished reading The Two of Us with mixed emotions. I really enjoyed both Mia's and Jake's journeys as they pursued the paths they thought God had for them but then had unexpected alternatives pop up. Their romance was believable and enjoyable (I especially enjoyed how they met), and had the book solely been about them, I would have loved it.

However, two aspects of the novel kept me from wholeheartedly embracing it. The first is regarding Mia's sister Lucy and Lucy's husband Sam. While their parts of the novel were fine, I really just wanted to get back to Jake and Mia! Near the end of the novel, Lucy and Sam have a discussion about trusting God, and, while everything they said was true, their conversation didn't ring true in the situation. This is in stark contrast to Jake's and Mia's faith situations—everything they experienced and the conclusions they reached felt authentic. I think the novel would've been stronger if Lucy and Sam's story had been a little less prominent.

The second thing that kept me from loving the novel--and really is what all of my emotions regarding the book are rooted in--is a plot point involving Alzheimer's disease. This is a pretty prominent plot thread, and I actually have no complaints with how it was written; I just wish the publisher had given a hint in the book's description that Alzheimer's would play a role in the story. As someone who watched her grandfather succumb to the disease, I can attest that Bylin's portrayal is spot on. But it was also painful to relive my grandfather's illness as I read the book and saw the character exhibiting some of the same behaviors I witnessed in my grandfather. I wish the publisher had given a hint of the content through the book description; then I could've made an informed choice about whether or not I wanted to read the novel. As it was, I felt blindsided.

Overall, The Two of Us is a good book with just a couple things that could have been done better. While it was difficult for me to read, people who haven't had such a personal experience with dementia probably won't react the way I did.

Disclosure of material connection: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own. ...more

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Aug 03, 2017 Toni Shiloh rated it really liked it

I've been a fan of Ms. Bylin since her first book. I happily raised my hand to read The Two of Us. In Ms. Bylin's signature style, romance swirls in the midst of life-changing decisions. It's what makes her writing so good.

How can you sigh happy moments when you're waiting for the other shoe to drop? Personally, as a writer, I love the added tension. It moves the story along and of course, has me shouting at the characters when they don't do what I want them to.

The Two of Us was no exception. Ja ...more

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Aug 02, 2017 Martha rated it liked it

PTSD, broken engagements, teen pregnancy, wounded warriors and hurt people, hurting other people seemed to be the theme of this novel. It was done very well.

The only complaint I would have was the childbirth scene needed a bit more research. But other than that, this was an amazing contemporary novel that handled the issues very well. I found the twists with the F-NP to really fun to see a different career path as well as the detective with hearing loss as the hero.

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Aug 23, 2017 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin is the first book that I've read by her. I was given the opportunity to get this book for free in return for giving an honest review. I'm so honored to have received this book from Victoria and Bethany House Publishers.

First of all, Victoria pulled me into the story from page one. So full of emotion and truth, this book will stay on your mind for days to come. I enjoyed how she was able to describe believable characters going through real daily struggles.

The boo The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin is the first book that I've read by her. I was given the opportunity to get this book for free in return for giving an honest review. I'm so honored to have received this book from Victoria and Bethany House Publishers.

First of all, Victoria pulled me into the story from page one. So full of emotion and truth, this book will stay on your mind for days to come. I enjoyed how she was able to describe believable characters going through real daily struggles.

The book begins with Mia Robinson
sitting in a coffee shop in a Las Vegas Hotel that she just checked into. She staring at a guy playing a kids claw machine. She's already been through two broken engagements so she knows she shouldn't be looking at him. But she can't help it because she's human. She wants to stay focused on God and her goal to work for Mission Medical as a nurse practitioner. But now, she's in Las Vegas for her 18 y.o. sister, Lucy's, wedding and it throws a wrench in her plans.

Jake Turner has recovered from the injuries that he's sustained as a police officer on the outside but he's still struggling from the inside after losing his partner in a tragedy. He finds his peace in looking after his partner's adult son, Sam, who's asked him to be his best man at the wedding.

Mia and Jake do eventually have a conversation in the coffee shop. Will they discover how their connected to one another? Mia is at the wedding to offer advice to Lucy about her current situation and Jake is there to be a support system to Sam. Mia and Jake hold totally different perspectives on the meaning of marriage. Will they both call a truce and be supportive of Lucy and Sam's decision? Will they develop their own relationship?

Another element to the story that I really enjoyed was that the family all does their part in helping with Claire, Jake's mother, who's going through the struggle of Alzheimer's disease. Everyone treats her with respect and doing what is best for her. They all remain patient when she forgets things. Another character that I adored was Jake's service dog, Pirate. Not only is he there to support Jake, but also he shows love and support to everyone.

I believe life can sometimes throws you a curveball. How you let it affect you is the question? God will challenge us to see if we have enough faith to trust in him. This story brought this out. God has a plan for each of us and believing that he'll show us what to do in each situation. I adored every element of this book. I recommend this book. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review. ...more

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