By Women Using Words
The details…
- Title: Better than Expected
- Author: Haley Cass
- Publication date: November 18, 2022
- Independently written and published by Haley Cass
- Available formats: ebook, paperback
- File size: 2553 KB
- Print length: 151 pages
- Genre: romance
- Themes: family, relationships, divorce, trust, independence, parenting, women loving women
The blurb from the publisher….
Hannah Dalton had a lot of expectations in her life. Growing up watching her mother struggle for everything they had, she resolved to make sure she did everything she could to make those hardships worthwhile. She would pursue the career she dreamed of, she would marry someone trustworthy and kind, and she would try to give her own daughter everything her mother gave her, only without the struggle.
She just never anticipated the order in which it could all happen or the hardships that would inevitably come to pass. But, somehow, maybe it can all work out better than expected.
A companion to the bestselling novel When You Least Expect It.
My thoughts…
Fans of When You Least Expect It will love its companion book Better than Expected. This new release gives readers an alternate perspective to Cass’s original story arc, and Hannah’s point of view is downright bewitching. There is no getting around it though; When You Least Expect It must be read first. Better than Expected contains too many references to WYLEI characters, events and plot points; readers will be lost without a clear understanding of its foundational narrative.
I took quite a few notes while reading this novella as so many wonderful and creative things caught my attention. Firstly, Cass’s ability to keep the storytelling consistent to Caroline’s perspective in book one is greatly appreciated. It’s linear and logical. This may seem insignificant, but sometimes sequels and companion pieces have details that just don’t jive with the overreaching arc. Thankfully this isn’t the case here.
Secondly, the character development stays true in both points of view. This is a character driven story and Cass knows that inconsistencies would jump out if she wasn’t attentive. She takes care to expand upon character traits and personalities in believable ways, benefiting not only the character development, but the storytelling.
Thirdly, the flow is seamless and bump-free. Bottom line—Cass remains cognizant of the WYLEI’stimeline and story arc. She doesn’t misrepresent details from the first book and reinvent plot points. The plot remains reliable and convincing.
Finally, and perhaps most impressive, is the masterful way Cass navigates her storytelling. She circles back to landmark moments while never disrupting the mood and tone of the narrative. She uses symbolism to the story’s advantage, evoking emotion and tension most effectively. Simply put, she excels at utilizing literary devices that enhance her storytelling. The result is a smart story that has appeal as well as punch.
Final remarks…
This is a well thought out companion novella; the cover design even expresses its theme and purpose perfectly. Better than Expectednot only compliments WYLEI it, it completes it. Readers couldn’t ask for a better story to round out Hannah and Caroline’s journey. It’s two thumbs up and…wait for it…better than expected. 
Strengths…
- Well-planned and plotted
- Nicely driven by fantastic character development
- Engaging narrative
- Compelling storyline
- Entertaining and worth the read
This book is available from…
A bit about the author…
Haley lives in Massachusetts, where she has a love/hate relationship with the weather extremities but would also hate to live somewhere without fall foliage. She spends most of her time watching too much television with her friends and thinking about the future.
Her mother likes to talk about the time she wrote her first story while sitting under the kitchen table for privacy. Twenty years later, she still likes to write but is slightly too tall to sit under the kitchen table.
Connect with the author…
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