The details…
- Title: When It’s True
- Author: Barbara Lynn Murphy
- Publisher: Desert Palm Press
- Publication date: May 1, 2023
- Available formats: ebook, paperback
- Ebook file size: 2304 KB
- Print length: 180 pages
- Genre: romance
- Themes: commitment, finding true love, overcoming hardships and loss, friendships, exes, relationships, fidelity
- Tropes: ex lover meets current lover
The blurb from the publisher…
Happily married couple Beth and Kelly get a last-minute visitor for the holidays in the form of Beth’s womanizing ex-girlfriend Jackie, who boldly announces that she plans to walk away from this visit with more than just good memories.
When Kelly’s sister Paige arrives a day later, the sparks fly with Jackie. Kelly is determined to convince her sister that Jackie is not to be trusted. But Paige sees a different side of Jackie and puts her past heartache aside to give Jackie a chance.
Meanwhile, Beth and Kelly rely on the strength of their love to support each other through an unimaginable ordeal.
My thoughts…
When It’s True by Barbara Lynn Murphy explores the romantic and sexual relationships of four interconnected women. It’s quite a tangled web, to be sure: two are exes, two are sisters, two are married and two have enough sexual tension to light up the Vegas strip. It’s complex and sometimes sticky, but it all works to make for some very interesting reading!
Weaving ex-lovers into the storyline has become a popular trope in sapphic fiction, and it’s one that Murphy moves through with ease. She uses it to add depth and complexity to her characters and their relationships. By introducing Beth’s ex-lover Jackie, Murphy is better able to explore not only Beth’s past, but Jackie’s as well. Each characters’ past and the reasons that they broke up add foundational information and interest. On top of that, their past works to add nuance to each of the characters’ motivations. Readers can better understand the dynamics of Jackie and Paige’s relationship as well as Beth and Kelly’s.
Using ex lovers in this story does more than provide interest and complexity to the storytelling though. By incorporating Beth’s ex into the storyline, the plot is provided with good measures of tension and conflict, something that’s crucial in any engaging story. The emotional baggage from Beth and Jackie’s past relationship adds drama to the story and keeps readers invested. They want to know the outcome of the current relationships. Incorporating this element into the storytelling adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, making it more relatable to readers who have experienced similar situations.
My one concern for this novel is its use of dual points of view. Using dual points of view in romance novels can be risky because it requires the writer to effectively develop the characters and their individual perspectives, while also ensuring that their stories intertwine and complement each other. It can be challenging to maintain a balance between the two perspectives and keep the plot moving forward smoothly, which is why some writers just stick with a single point of view. Though Murphy does create depth and complexity with her alternating points of view, I don’t think it best serves this story. There is a lot going on with these characters and their backstory; the switching from first to third person sometimes feels jolting. It might have been better served by using third person throughout.
Final remarks…
The characters in this romance are likable and relatable, especially Beth and Kelly. The weaving of the ex-lover trope into the storyline works. It gives it a compelling depth and complexity, one that’s believable as well as credible. Furthermore, Murphy does a nice job balancing the tension and conflict; she eases heavy moments with lighter scenes and gives readers room to digest it all. Overall, this is an entertaining and engaging read. I’ll be interested to see what Murphy comes up with next.
Strengths…
- Interesting storyline
- Likable characters
- Well-written dialogue
- Entertaining read
This book is available from…
A bit about the author…
Barbara Lynn Murphy is originally from Long Island, New York, but currently lives in suburban Atlanta, Georgia with her wife and five dogs. She is a late bloomer to writing, having only started doing so in earnest during the Covid years. What was once a passing fancy has morphed into a second chapter in her professional life (although she still maintains her day job in Technology—for now.) For more information about her, check out her website and social media.
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