A Dream Within A Dream: The One That Got Away Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

The One That Got Away
Author: Leigh Himes
Genre: Contemporary/Women's Fiction/Chick Lit
Release Date: June 13, 2017
Publisher: Hachette Books

Description:

In this irresistible debut novel, a freak accident allows a wife and mother to explore the alluring road not taken.

Meet Abbey Lahey...

Overworked mom. Underappreciated publicist. Frazzled wife of an out-of-work landscaper. A woman desperately in need of a vacation from life--and who is about to get one, thanks to an unexpected tumble down a Nordstrom escalator.

Meet Abbey van Holt...

The woman whose life Abbey suddenly finds herself inhabiting when she wakes up. Married to handsome congressional candidate Alex van Holt. Living in a lavish penthouse. Wearing ball gowns and being feted by the crème of Philadelphia society. Luxuriating in the kind of fourteen-karat lifestyle she's only read about in the pages of Town & Country.

The woman Abbey might have been... if she had said yes to a date with Alex van Holt all those years ago.

In the tradition of the romantic comedy Sliding Doors and Lionel Shriver's The Post-Birthday World, Leigh Himes's irresistible debut novel tells the funny and touching story of an ordinary woman offered an extraordinary opportunity to reboot her life, explore the road not taken, and ultimately, find her true self--whoever that may be.

Praise:

“In the spirit of Lionel Shriver’s The Post-Birthday World, Leigh Himes delivers a fascinating novel about the road not taken. I loved the concept and execution of this clever, thought-provoking love story.”–Elin Hilderbrand, author of The Rumor

“[A] brilliantly realized wish-fulfillment scenario in the vein of Liane Moriarty... [Himes’s] examination of how the choices we make can define who we become will resonate with readers. For anyone who ever wondered ‘What if?'”–Booklist

“Himes explores what could have been in this charming debut novel.”–Kirkus Reviews

The One That Got Away is a glowing debut novel that explores the life that could have been with lots of humor and heart. I was surprised to learn that this is the author's first book. It's very well written and has the easy flow of a seasoned writer. The story takes on a topic that most of us have thought about at least once - what would your life be like if you made a different choice at some point? Even though several books and movies have taken on this subject, the author puts a fresh spin on it. Our main character, Abbey, is an overworked wife and mother who feels like her life isn't what it could've been. She's a great example of the "everywoman" and I think the majority of readers will easily identify with her. I know I did - right from the beginning sentences. She's funny, sarcastic, kind, smart, a loving mother and wife - but she's realistic and has flaws too - feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated, stressing about money and pretty much everything else in life. The author wrote the book from Abbey's perspective, in the first person point of view. This is by far my preferred style of writing, and I think it's a perfect fit for the story. We get to know Abbey on a brutally honest and deeply personal level throughout the book, which is part of the reason I loved her so much. Her inner thoughts and feelings, her hopes and dreams, fears and frustration - we get to see them all. I identified with her character from the start and was invested in her story until the end. She's a great MC and I love the way the author wrote her.

The story, although not completely original, was fresh and fun. I've had times when I daydream about what could've been different in my past and what my life could've been like. This book takes that thought and runs with it, which gives the reader the chance to explore the possibilities along with Abbey. The writing is very well done with lots of detailed descriptions and imagery that brings Abbey and her world to life for the reader. I loved getting to know Abbey, learning about her life and all the aspects of it, and going through this crazy alternate reality type situation with her. It's one of the most intriguing questions one can pose - and it's a universal one that almost every reader will be able to identify with. I highly recommend this book for fans of women's fiction, chick lit, contemporary fiction, and those looking to answer the question of what could've been.

Author Leigh Himes has spent fourteen years working in the public relations field. Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, she now lives just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and their two children. This is her first book.