I enjoyed reading this novel from beginning to end. With a very engaging story line, well defined characters, realistic motives, and some worthwhile truisms tucked in, the author tells a modern tale that is relevant, informational and entertaining all at once! The heroine in the book, Sophie Landgraf, struggles to fit in being true to herself in a corporate world full of deceit, questionable strategies and smoke and mirrors. Although I have experience in the mortgage industry, the book provides a great basic understanding of investment banking without going over the head of the reader; although it will be especially appealing to those employed in a financial career, anyone should be able to read and enjoy the book without getting lost in the setting of her world of work.

I love the personal details of Sophie's relationship with her father, her boyfriend, Will, and her best friend. All of these relationships provide insight into her character and endear her to the reader. I love the way her honesty and genuine instincts in dealing with a client earns her the respect deserving of good behavior. It is very interesting the way the author weaves Sophie's boss, Ethan, into the story as a possible love interest and then writes an appropriate and satisfying conclusion.

There were also a few great truisms in the book that made it an insightful pleasure to read. I liked, "pretend like you can handle it until you can actually handle it." A reference to "believing in the goodness of human nature" was also a great line in keeping with the theme of the book.

Writing from the perspective of different characters was done exceptionally well and kept the reader engaged and informed without getting confused.

I really enjoyed this book and definitely look forward to more from Laura Hemphill.

My expectations were a bit too high; the descriptive title and lovely cover had me intrigued by the subject and excited to learn more about the journey and how it influenced the author's relationship with her husband. A few chapters into the narrative I found myself a bit annoyed with the continual descriptions of the author's personal character flaws; I already "got it" and did not need the constant reminders of the more challenging aspects of her personality and how they related to the journey ahead. Generally I can read a book of this size within a day or two of my busy schedule but it did not maintain my interest enough so it took several weeks to finish it.

I rated the book as average because there were redeeming qualities to the story, however, I would like to have been able to get a more visual picture of the amazing countryside they traveled and anticipated a deeper and more lovely description of how their relationship was transformed by partnership in the rally. Overall, a nice attempt by the author to share her personal experience with us and she indicates there are more adventures ahead for this couple; my recommendation would be for more visual writing of the landscape and a richer description of the relational in order to provide something of value to the reader.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.