It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way
by
Mary Rowen
Molly Dolan dreams of a steady relationship. At twenty-five, she’s floundering, drinking too much and making poor decisions. The only good thing going is Molly’s job. She got in on the ground floor at FSI as senior marketing writer, but she’s just learned of a big a change.
Molly’s relationship problems began in high school. When her one close friendship ended tragically, she tried to suppress her feelings, but the burden of loss and regret led to reckless decisions and she has carried that burden into adulthood.
Molly’s neighbor Fred Flaherty is alone at seventy-two. Divorced for many years, he listens to Jim Croce records and talks to buddies on his ham radio. But his failed marriage and the recent death of his younger brother, Davey weigh heavy on him.
When Davey was born, Fred’s awkward and lonely childhood turned happy. The twelve-year difference didn’t matter because they adored each other. Now Fred looks back at how Davey’s once promising future dissolved when he returned from Vietnam.
With seemingly little in common, Molly and Fred strike up a friendship that, despite many unforeseen obstacles, may help them find happiness and direction in their lives.
Mary Rowen’s charming new book, It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way, is due out this fall. It’s a hopeful and touching story about how people make mistakes and get caught up in bad situations, even when they’re trying to do the right thing. Set outside Boston, in Arlington, Massachusetts, the story begins in 2012 and begins with Molly’s first-person narrative. Alternating third-person chapters provide details about both characters’ lives, framed by chapters named after Jim Croce’s music. Readers will like how Rowen’s flawed characters navigate modern and realistic situations. She introduces serious themes of family problems, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault, harassment and mental health and buffers them with everyday examples of kindness and humor.
I recommend this women’s fiction story about difficult relationships and hopeful friendships and look forward to more books by Rowen.
Thanks for visiting – come back soon!
I’m adding this to my TBR list. Thanks for the review, Barbara! I think I’d enjoy this.
Hi Jill – I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the visit 🙂
Hi, Barbara – I love books that offer hope and optimism despite difficult circumstances. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Hi Donna – yes, the characters in this book were realistic and flawed, which made the message more believable. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Reblogged this on MaryRowen.com and commented:
I’m incredibly grateful to @BookClubMom for taking the time to read and review my new novel, It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way, due to launch on September 14, 2020.
This sounds interesting, Barbara. An unusual friendship to be sure. I like flawed characters, they are more real.
Same here, Robbie. Thanks for the visit!
This sounds wonderful! I hadn’t heard of this book before, but now I need to read it! And the Jim Croce references sound like a big plus. 🙂
It’s coming out in a couple weeks. I was lucky to get an advance copy! 🙂
This sounds heartwarming — something I could use more of these days!
Same here – hope you are doing okay, Jan.
This one sounds like a winner, Barbara. Thanks for the review!
I enjoyed it, Jennifer. Thanks for the visit and for commenting!