I adored Karen's debut novel Dreams of Darkness and Light, so when she told me she was in the process of writing another, I jumped at the chance to read and review it for her. The Ballad of Sam and D.Lila is very different from her first book; it is a romance that follows two amateur musicians as they try to break into the industry as a duo. All the while the two work alongside each other in their day jobs, where office romances are "frowned upon". I really liked Dora's character, she was easy for me to relate to and I found her to be such a realistic protagonist. Sam on the other hand took me a very long time to warm up to; he was realistic as well, and I just didn't like him. I thought that he was going to turn out shady and hurt Dora and I just couldn't trust him. I think maybe some of the reasons for that was because Karen showed us into what the mind of a man is like; honestly. With conflicting thoughts and sometimes a wondering eye, Sam was true to his attractive musician stereotype. But he did break through that and he and Dora were truly stronger together. Their progression into a relationship was a lovely journey and I just loved how realistic everything was. The issues and how they worked through them, the juggling of creative and financial work, the compromises and arguments; A+ for them all. While music isn't my choice of creative living, writing and reading is, and the book shared a lovely journey that I got to share with a range of characters. It was gentle and steady, realistic and kind; everything I enjoy in a romance novel!
Rate: 7.5/10
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
Acquired from: Karen Stockwell (Author)
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
Rate: 7.5/10
Pages: 264
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
Acquired from: Karen Stockwell (Author)
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own*
