Review: David's Song by A. R. Talley

 
David's Song by A. R. Talley

Kindle Edition

Published (first published November 23rd 2010)  

Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

Description: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie's marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart - a man who is now a megastar in the music industry - Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value - a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience.

A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy. 

My Review: I felt very torn with the one. The reader begins the story with where Annie is, but then goes back to fill the gaps in and I love the way the story shows the reader just how Annie came to love two men. The story flows in a very natural way and is told in a way to really draw on a reader's emotions. Unfortunately, I didn't like some of the emotions that I felt, but they were real.

 In college, Annie fell for a David, a man way out of her league. David is very charming and every girl on campus seems to harbor a crush on him. She thinks he feels the same way about her, but he shatters her heart instead. What a coward! I wish he would have done what he wanted to do. Jeremy, her good friend, was there to pick up the pieces. Annie and Jeremy do have a very comfortable friendship. I thought he should have spoken up and let her know what he was thinking and feeling, instead of always melting into the background.

Fast forward fifteen years. Jeremy and Annie argue all of the time and it's decided that she'll go to Vegas for her spring break (she's a teacher) with two of her college friends. David is now a famous singer and they'll be going to his concert. Little did she know, he hasn't forgotten Annie and places her in a precarious position--one where her choices will affect everything in her world. I didn't like some of the choices that Annie makes and they upset me. She was on a very slippery slope and I wanted to yell at her to wake up and realizes what she was doing. I couldn't blame Jeremy at all for being unhappy with her, yet they made a commitment to one another when they married and I wanted him to fight for her and then to treat her like he wanted to stay married to her. David is still very charming and persuasive. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

It takes a lot of talent for an author to evoke such strong emotions in a reader, while setting the story up in such a brilliant way. The twist at the end is heart wrenching!

Content: Moderately clean (kissing, innuendo, affair); no language or violence; very mild religious elements (mentions going to church once or twice, college years take place at BYU, but no preaching at all).