T. Rosado's Reviews > Five Years Gone

3 Stars

This wasn't anything like I thought it would be. I was expecting a tortured love triangle after a military hero returns from a 5 year deployment. There's definitely a bit of that, but it's really a multiple POV exposition of how Ava and ____ try for a second chance at love with a few subplots of those closest to them.

Considering this author's back list, it's obvious that she is well-loved and one I've been curious to try. Now that I have, I'm not sure I’m a fan of her writing style. First person is not my favorite, but when done well, I don’t even notice. In this book it was glaringly obvious and full of exposition that felt too conversational, rather than immersive. She also broke the fourth wall occasionally, which was jarring. Especially in a dramatic romance with multiple POVs.

As for the story, I liked the idea behind it, the characters, and even the attempt at multi-POVs. There were a couple of tangent sub-plots that felt unnecessary or unfinished, but maybe they’ll be fleshed out in a future book. While I wasn't in love with the book, I was interested in finishing and seeing how the love triangle resolved itself. At this point, I can't be sure if I’ll continue with the next.