It has been two years since the tragic accident that has left Brian Weller’s wife in a coma and their three-year old son dead. Brian was an author thrillers but finds that he can no more write anything than he can take away the terrors of the past two years. The grief and despair is overpowering.
Then one morning an email arrives from a long-lost acquaintance, Joanna Richman. The note brings up emotions that Brian no longer thought he possessed, and he arranges a book signing in the Boston area to connect with her again. He is unsure where this reunion will lead, but knows he must take the chance to see if his heart will love again.
Know this. I am not a reader of romance. I just don’t particularity enjoy the genre. That’s just me. However – occasionally a book comes along that might close in on this genre and I will read it because of other connections to the book. In this case, that connection is the author.
Bill Walker first was introduced to me when I picked up his book Titanic 2012. Know this. I LOVE all things Titanic. I have watched endless movies and read many books on the subject. The ship and the story fascinate me. The tragedy is beyond belief. When I read Bill Walker’s take on a new Titanic, it was like visiting an old friend. I enjoyed the book very much. Of course when Bill wrote A Note From An Old Acquaintance, I had to give it a read.
This book covers that age-old question, what would you do if that person you loved in the past popped into your world today? What if there were no obstacles?
Bill once again worked a story into my heart. This book is not only a romance story – it also has plenty of suspense. Bill Walker is masterful at description and emotion and I love well-developed characters which I found here as Bill breathed life through his pen into both Brian and Joanna.
In flashbacks, you see the life of the young Brain and Joanna and as you learn more about them and their past, you really start to piece together this incredible love through the years. Yes this love has its own obstacles…. and one would be Joanna’s husband. (This part is really the only part of the book I did not enjoy – as it is handled lightly and I am calling it what it is – infidelity).
Overall, I am pleased I had the opportunity to read this book.
Amazon Rating
My 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map has been updated to include A Note From An Old Acquaintance
I received my book from the author, Bill Walker
Book Journey 
Thank you for your very kind review, Sheila. It’s very much appreciated.
Sure Bill! 😀
I liked this one but didn’t love it. I would certainly read another of his books in the future though as I feel he has a great voice!
Staci I would recommend Bill’s book, Titanic 2012. I loved it!
This does sound like an awesome read…and one that’s more about the connections between people than simply romance, don’t you think?
It is more than romance Laurel that is true… it is just that the romance is the drive of the book. 🙂
Happy Valentines Day.
PS I am participating in The Where are you Reading Challenge.
Thanks Esme 😀
Enjoyed your review! I remember liking this story okay, but not loving it.
Happy Valentines Day Sheila!
Thanks, and happy Valentines to you too!
Very interesting premise. Not quite sure it’s for me though.
There was a lot to appreciate about the book…. and yes some things I didn’t like too. Bill Walker is a very good writer, I just wish some of the subject could have been tweaked a bit. 🙂
Hmm, the whole infidelity thing, as you labeled it, makes me think this book isn’t for me.
Hannah I have given that a lot of thought, I know I would have enjoyed the story much more if that had not been part of it. I think it would have been an even stronger story of love.
I’ve felt that way in the past, too. They’re making the book worse by choosing that focus! Probably not always true, but sometimes it is.
I have to take issue with this. A book is not “better” or “worse” because it has genuine drama. Joanna is not married when she and Brian first meet and consummate their relationship. Is that infidelity? Not legally. Now, perhaps some of you feel that ANY kind of commitment, however informal, would make this kind of situation one of infidelity. Okay, that’s fine. But take the love triangle aspect away and you gut the story, plain and simple. It was my intention to write a novel where one could empathize with all the characters, even the “bad guy.” I wanted a novel that felt more real than your average cookie-cutter romance. And let’s face it, if someone from out of your past contacted you, I’m betting the situation would be fraught with drama. That was the point. Okay, enough of my rant 😉 I hope everyone will give the book a fair shake. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Sheila, your book story is amazing. I had to write you immediately after reading your review. How wonderful you truly knew the author. I adore the story behind the book. I have always wanted to read this book. For some reason I was struck by the title.
I have one book credit for giving away books on Goodreads. I am going to use it to get this book. Someway, somehow because of your story I’m going to read the book. I love these types of romances. I read one just like it. The Pearls of the Stone Man by Edward Mooney, Jr. I have it on Goodreads swap. Thanks for sharing a beautiful story. I facedbooked it. I tweeted it. I adore it.
Thank you Tea – I will have to go look at that post again… can hardly remember what I had written 🙂
Sheila, your book story is amazing. I had to write you immediately after reading your review. How wonderful you truly knew the author. I adore the story behind the book. I have always wanted to read this book. For some reason I was struck by the title.
I have one book credit for giving away books on Goodreads. I am going to use it to get this book. Someway, somehow because of your story I’m going to read the book. I love these types of romances. I read one just like it. The Pearls of the Stone Man by Edward Mooney, Jr. I have it on Goodreads swap. Thanks for sharing a beautiful story. I facebooked it. I tweeted it. I adored it.
I might join your challenge as my only challenge. I am afraid about making the map. Shucks, I can always try.
I hope you do Tea and if you struggle with the map you can always just make a list of the 50 states and fill the book in as you read them. 🙂
I read this last year and really loved it too. It’s one of those books like The Notebook that SHOULD be made into a movie.
Great review Sheila!
Thanks 🙂
Great review. I don’t do romance either and I loved this book, was a favourite from last year. I think some won’t like it because of the infedility but it made it better and more genuine to me actually. I do agree a little light on that part but I loved it.
That’s interesting Marce – that was a take away for me on this book but interesting to see that you found that to make it more real. I love discussing books! We all find something different. 🙂
This one would make a good movie too!