Rating: ★★★★★ stars
Date published: October 6th, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union PublishingSynopsis: Wynn Jeffries has wanderlust. Unfortunately, her life stalled somewhere between graduating from college and slinging drinks at the local dive bar. Stuck in a one-room apartment with no career, no boyfriend, no…life, she dreams of something more. Something amazing. Something like Oliver Reeves, her high school crush, who’s back in town and reminding Wynn of the way she used to be.
When a forgotten news clipping falls out of a book belonging to Wynn’s grandmother, a well-kept family secret is finally revealed. Is Wynn’s gypsy spirit the result of an overactive imagination, or did she inherit it from a woman so determined to live a big life, she gave up everything to have it?
Together, Wynn and Oliver attempt to put together the missing pieces of her family’s past and unravel the mystery behind her great-grandmother’s disappearance. But after so much time succumbing to fear and regret, can Wynn ditch her safe, routine life for the chance at an extraordinary future?
Revised edition: This edition of Wynn in Doubt includes editorial revisions.
What I Thought:
This book first came to attention in 2014. I can't remember when exactly, but I immediately added it to my to-be-read list. I had a feeling this book was going to be something special. Fast forward to 2015 when I finally picked it up after it was edited and republished. I read the book and loved it! I only wish I'd read it sooner.
Wynn Jeffries always had big dreams. She wanted to leave and see the world but was never quite able to make it out of her hometown. Now her childhood crush is coming home and Wynn isn't ready for it. She always thought their reunion would be different. The joy at seeing Oliver again is tempered by both her wish to have accomplished more and dealing with the sadness of her beloved grandmother's passing.
I loved Wynn. I loved how kind, caring, and driven she was. I completely understood why she hadn't completed her dreams like she thought she would. I also understood her yearning to find out more about the person in the article clipping she found while going through her grandmother's things, even if the rest of her family didn't. I really enjoyed following along with Wynn and Oliver as they journeyed to find answers, both for the present and the past. While the book didn't flashback to the past, I found myself slipping back into it while I read. Emily Hemmer's writing is wonderfully descriptive and I was easily able to visualize her words. Not only did I get a trip back in time, but I also fell in love with characters that were introduced.
Oliver and Wynn had a wonderful rapport. In the beginning I wasn't sure if he was into her, but I enjoyed guessing. I also loved the way he inspired her to make changes. He challenged her to find answers and go on an adventure of sorts with him, and I loved how she was willing to shake up her life to do it. I also loved how supportive of her he was. Even when they had separate dreams, he still let her chase hers, and I absolutely loved that. Besides the story, I loved the emotions and responses this book evoked in me. I loved laughing, especially when Wynn was trying to deal with seeing Oliver again after such a long time. I also will admit to crying, and loving it. Crying means I was fully immersed in the lives and feelings of the characters. The messages this book contains definitely contain plenty of food for thought.
I'm so glad I finally read Wynn in Doubt. Emily Hemmer has spun this wonderful tale that I can't rave enough about. I'm very impressed with her storytelling skills. I couldn't put this book down and I loved every minute of it. It's a story of discovery, love, chasing dreams, and so much more. I highly recommend it. It's definitely one that will stay with you long after you've finished it.
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About the Author
Emily Hemmer was raised in the Chicago suburbs before settling in Kansas City in 1996. A huge fan of romantic comedies, Emily was overjoyed to realize her college roommate could recite every word of the movie 'Clueless,' until she realized that was the only VHS tape her roommate owned. Emily dropped out of college and to this day, blames the listless years of her twenties on the words, "As if!" She completed her degree after an extended eleven-year semester break during which time she got married, had kids, and became a published author. Her greatest accomplishment to date is holding the high score in Ms. PacMan at the Pizza Hut in Schaumburg, Il.
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*Thank you to the publicist for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*
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