Thursday, May 16, 2024

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell

Title: Christa Comes Out of Her Shell
Author: Abbi Waxman
Published: April 16, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Paperback 392 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: So, I’m going to kick off by making some thing very clear: None of this was my fault.

Blurb: After a tumultuous childhood, Christa Liddle has hidden away, both figuratively and literally. Happily studying sea snails in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Christa finds her tranquil existence thrown into chaos when her once-famous father—long thought dead after a plane crash—turns out to be alive, well, and ready to make amends. The world goes wild, fascinated by this real-life saga, pinning Christa and her family under the spotlight. As if that weren’t enough, her reunion with an old childhood friend reveals an intense physical attraction neither was expecting and both want to act on . . . if they can just keep a lid on it. When her father’s story starts to develop cracks, Christa fears she will lose herself, her potential relationship, and—most importantly—any chance of making it back to her snails before they forget her completely. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: An enjoyable narrative that sweeps readers into a manic and funny tale. As a reader of Waxman’s work since ‘The Garden of Small Beginnings’, I looked forward to this latest offering, wondering what quirky world she would come up with next.

From the beginning, humor and contentment in her work are central to Christa’s life. But beware, beneath the humor lies a moment that should come with a trigger warning. Christa’s past has its painful moments. Her father, Jasper, vanished when she was a toddler. She doesn’t recall him, only the wreckage he left behind. Christa clings to her resentment convinced that Jasper’s disappearance marked her downfall.

The women—her mother and sisters—form their intricate family dynamic. Roles are assigned, and boundaries are drawn. So, when Jasper reappears after a quarter-century, chaos descends. How dare he disrupt their equilibrium? The story behind his departure and return unfolds, leaving the reader angrily exclaiming, “Wow!”

Christa’s and Nathan’s chemistry simmers, adding a layer of romance to the narrative. But make no mistake—this isn’t your run-of-the-mill romance. It’s firmly rooted in the Women’s fiction genre, where kick-ass women reign supreme.

So, buckle up for a rollercoaster ride. Waxman’s wit and warmth guide us through Christa’s transformation and redemption.

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