Tips for Tuesday: Books: The Best I Never Had & What They Did; Movie: A Negelected Wife

We may have received complimentary copies and/or access to books, products, and/or other visual or audio media mentioned below for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: The Best I Never Had  &  What They Did 

Today, we recommend The Best I Never Had by Amy Buchanan.  When Thea arrives for her sister's wedding to a man Thea's never met, she learns the groom's brother, Owen is the man who paid her to pretend to be his girlfriend at a previous family wedding. 

This book is all about family. It truly captures both the drama and the joy of being part of a close, loving family (on Owen's side) and growing up without that (on Thea's side). Both Thea and Owen are the people-pleasers, the ones who sacrifice their own wants and needs for what their family wants, needs, or expects of them. Throughout the story, they admirably learn to stand up for themselves and not always bow to others' wishes.

The book is full of interesting characters, not just Thea and Owen. The characters feel real because they are not perfect. Some of them can be really annoying at times, but for the most part they are extremely well-written, and it makes sense why they react like they do based on their backgrounds. Thea's sister, Addy, for example, can be very spoiled and bratty at times, but she didn't grow up in a world where there was enough love for everyone, so she is afraid of being shut out. Of course, that doesn't completely excuse her behavior, so she can still be kind of annoying at times. However, Owen's mother, who wants her son to live completely according to her expectations and pretty much takes to her bed and pouts if she doesn't get her own way, is the worst character in the novel. Even in the end, the latter character's redemption arc doesn't feel completely believable. 

This book can be somewhat predictable at times and very formulaic, but in a comforting way. However, the ending is slightly different than usual. Instead of the same old happily ever after epilogue that could practically be repeated verbatim from book to book, this one has a bit of a twist in a way that sweetly reminds us that, despite societal expectations or what most romance books would have you believe, not everyone has to want or have the same things in life to be happy. 

Today we are talking about What They Did by Rio Youers. Carly and Dana are best friends until a tragedy and a terrible secret split them apart, with Carly becoming a cop and Dana getting caught up in the world of illegal drugs.  Years later, when Carly's son becomes caught up in a dangerous situation, Dana is the only one who can help.

This book is more of a crime thriller than a story about two best friends. The pair spend most of the book apart, and Carly doesn't feel as fully developed as Dana.  Also, some aspects of the story don't completely make sense. It seems like the initial incident that sets the main part of the plot in motion would be considered self-defense and wouldn't require a cover-up, except maybe that they went a little overboard in their reactions. Although, it still seems like they would have the right to protect themselves if a dangerous person threatened them with bodily harm.

 Also, it makes no sense that a boy who is the son of a cop and who never got in trouble before would suddenly spiral into crime because his father died. I suppose grief can make you do strange things, but it still doesn't feel plausible. The book is an exciting, fast-paced read though and would probably make a decent movie.  

Today, we recommend A Neglected Wife. This saga of a lonely wife who has a fling with another man is not as predictable as you would expect. It has some surprising twists and turns that keep the story both interesting and original.

And that's our view. The Best I Never Had and  What They Did were published last Tuesday, August  18. A Negelected Wife Mia is now available on DVD or digitally for purchase or rental.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go  Wednesday.

All images used in this post, except film images, are our own.  Film images were sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. Address any concerns regarding image usage here.