Sandra A. Miller

Hmmm... I think this book had an interesting premise and had a lot of potential but for me it just missed the mark. I mean it's a solidly told story, I just struggled to feel engaged or connected. Gregory is basically, in my opinion, experiencing a midlife crisis. And he doesn't care that he's pushing everyone away, which he justifies because of his big secret. I must admit that I didn't really like Gregory the entire book. He marries Liv, who comes from a wealthy family, and basically cuts off his family because they are embarrassing to him. He just wasn't likable. He didn't have any redeeming features in my opinion. And the moment Mira comes into his life, he literally becomes unbearable.
Gregory becomes obsessed with Mira to the point it interferes with his home and work life. He suspects that Mira knows something about his secret, and it quickly becomes clear that she does. I have to say that to me the "plot twist" in this one felt very obvious from the start. Even though it becomes obvious kind of early what Gregory's secret is, the author doesn't tell us until about halfway through, and then it feels like the story kind of disrails itself. Gregory is worried about the personal reprecussions of people finding out his secret, and thus pushes them all further away. I think by the point that Gregory begins to question Mira and her motivations, the story just felt stilted.
I wanted so much more from this story but instead it was just a lot of Gregory whining about his life and how unfair everything was. I was excited for the ending because I thought things would turn out one way, but the last like three chapters of the book just did not fit. They felt awkward and really do nothing to endear Gregory to you. Honestly the ending is what ensured the book was only a three star read for me, it's just so out there. I think the book could have been so much better without Gregory... or even told from anyone else's perspective. Overall, it's an interesting look at how secrets can damage our personal lives, but that's about it.… (altro)

"The truth doesn't cost anything, but a lie could cost you everything." Sandra A. Miller

This line resonates through the whole novel and is questioned by the main character with everything he does. Dr. Gregory Weber has become a renowned clinical psychologist and is amazing in what he does to help others, but as his wife often reminds him, psychologists need to ask for help when needed also. Having lived with a terrible secret he has kept for decades, he feels his life is unraveling and that he is not worthy of everything he has and his wife is starting to question his sanity and morals. When a new patient shows up one day, he is intrigued and everything he has ever done as a doctor during sessions with patients is out the window with this one. She takes control of the session and turns it back onto him and his life any chance she gets. He is intrigued and at a loss, and yet he cannot stop seeing her. There is something pulling him to her and he needs to find out who she is and what is her meaning in seeing him. Gregory is forced to face his past, one terrible decision and how he has used that to distance himself from anyone and everyone in his life. As the truth of that night slowly unwinds, Gregory tries to come to terms with himself, that decision and his sanity. I really enjoyed this psychological novel about forgiveness and the result of our actions. Thank you to the author, publisher and LibraryThing for the free novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.… (altro)

I received this item as an Early Reviewers book, I was surprised to get an actual book and not an Ebook. A nice change. This book started off really good, I was intrigued and interested all the way to the last couple of chapters when the patient for the Wednesday at One was revealed. I was so disappointed to find out it was a spirit/ghost/figment of an imagination. I really wished it was a bystander who happen to see the accident and was blackmailing the doctor, but no it was a ghost. I wish the ending lived up to the promise of the beginning of the book.… (altro)