I have never read any of Georgia Bockovern’s books before this one, but I can tell you that this won’t be the last one I read! This will definitely make my ‘best of 2013’ when the year ends.

Carly, Ethan, and David have known each other forever, ever since they were young children. They were best buds and as they grew up, David and Ethan were best friends, and David and Carly fell in love. However, Ethan was also in love with Carly. Fast forward 16 years. Carly is married to Ethan and neither have been in contact with David for many years. Carly and Ethan are not so happily married and raising three children.

When David’s father dies, David returns to town after all those years, and is determined to talk to Carly to gain some closure. Ethan is very insecure in his marriage and does not want David anywhere around his family. And Carly has a very big secret she has been keeping all these years.

I read this story in almost one sitting, but life interferred and I had to read it in two! Once I got into the story, I found it hard to put down. There were parts that were sad, and other parts that were amazing. Ethan was pretty much a jerk through out much of the book, and even though it was easy to understand how his insecurity made him jealous, he was a little over the top towards Carly, and he was outright cruel to the daughter. As I read, I often wondered why Carly didn’t just reveal the secret and how bad things could have been had she been honest from the beginning. I still have to wonder if things wouldn’t have been better for her, but when the reasons for her decision became clear, I did understand. I still am not sure it was the right decision, but can’t say a lot more without major spoilers.

Read it. Find a friend to read with you so you can discuss it. And if you are in a book club, you definitely should make this one of your book club selections!

★★★★1/2 4-1/2 Stars

Carly is married and has three children. Her marriage is not the best. Her husband, Ethan drinks. So when an old boyfriend comes back in town, Carly entertains the idea of a second chance.

David is a famous author. He is back in town for his father’s funeral. He does not want anything to do with Carly. She left him and married his best friend. When Carly reveals a secret, it will change David’s life forever.

Carly’s Gift is a treasure of a read. It will have you laughing, crying, angry, and believing in second chances. The angry part was aimed towards Carly’s husband, Ethan. He was such a jerk. I really don’t know what Carly found in him when she married him. However as much as I hated Ethan, this means to me that I have become invested in the characters in the book that I am having different emotions about them all.

I really felt for Carly and everything she went through in the past and the present. She is a good mother and she showed great strength. The person however that really surprised me the most was Carly and Ethan’s daughter, Andrea. While I know this story is suppose to be about Carly and David, Andrea won me over. She had me cheering for her the whole time. She acted more mature than the adults. I don’t want to say anymore as I don’t want to give away anything. All I am going to say is that you have to check out this book.

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

Before you start this book, be prepared to cry and devour this book in one sitting. Ok, now that you have been warned let me tell you that I LOVED this book. Originally published in 1993 as The Way It Should Have been, this is my second Bockoven book that has been updated and republished and made me a new audience member for this author.

***SPOILERS***

I loved this book. BUT. I had some big issues with it.

Andrea dying was AWFUL and unnecessary.
The progression of events often talented so fast it left you feeling the gap of time. One minute it would be one day then it would be three years later and the way it was written wasn't done well.
Carly I did not like too much. The way she allowed Ethan to treat her daughter AND her was disgusting.