This Is Love by Caroline Nolan Published by Self-Published on November 3rd 2015
Pages: 300
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Rachel Miller had love, life and happiness…until she didn’t.
Uncertain of how to cope and move on without him, Rachel’s life comes to halt as she mourns the loss of her fiance Ben. Then one night she discovers it doesn’t have to.
By way of dreams, Rachel and Ben continue to live the life they had planned together. It's unconventional, it's not even real, but it's enough for Rachel. For the first time since Ben’s death, she’s happy…whole. That is until she runs into someone she barely knew from years ago and suddenly real life is just as great as her dream one.
Now Rachel doesn’t know what to do. Will letting someone new in threaten what she has with Ben? Or will their love story threaten her new happiness? Is it crazy to chase after a ghost while being caught up by someone very real?
I love reading a great book by a new-to-me author. It’s an extra special treat when the book is the author’s first. This Is Love is an enthralling love story that is so skillfully executed it’s difficult to believe it is Caroline Nolan’s debut novel.
I’ve read my fair share of death and dying books lately, and while most of them are uplifting, many have a pervasive depressing quality. This book is unique in that it’s not a blubbering mess of a tear-jerker. It doesn’t indulge in despair, yet it’s still a poignant story about living fully and loving after loss.
The story involves an unconventional love triangle between Rachel, Ben—her fiancé who passed away—and Jax—the new man in her life who makes her laugh for the first time in over a year. Both men are beyond perfect, and Rachel struggles with her ability to fall in love with Jax without diluting or betraying her love for Ben.
“Letting someone in doesn’t mean you’re letting another go. It just means your heart is growing. Making more room.”
I confess I was apprehensive about Rachel having a relationship with the ghost of her husband through dreams. I’m not a big fan of paranormal romance, and it turns out this isn’t one. The dream sequences between Rachel and Ben could easily have been weird or just plain silly. Instead, it’s through the dreams that the reader gets to appreciate their history and the strength of their love. At the same time, the romance between Rachel and Jax builds at an easy, gratifying pace. I had a great deal of affection for all the characters, especially Rachel’s faithful and brash best friend, Tess.
This Is Love is a moving and simply delightful story with an incredibly satisfying ending. I’m looking forward to reading more of Caroline Nolan’s work.
Recommended for fans of:
True love
Second chance romance
Brownies
** ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review. **
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