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Lucy B. (Urbana, OH)
The Sweetheart Deal
Since Leo was a fireman, I can guess on why he made an agreement with his best friend Garrett to take care of his family in case something happened to him. Firemen are put it harms way may times. I don't believe he expected his life to be cut short in a skiing accident. The boys had issues in their lives and Garrett being there was a plus. The story dealt with heartfelt issues and I cried when Brian went to the fire station to claim his drawing of his father. I wonder if mom hadn't found the note if she would have been all right with her relationship with Garrett. I especially like the way the author devoted a
…more chapter for each of the boys, Audrey, and Garrett. It helped me to focus on the thoughts and feelings of each one in the household. (less)This book is about death, love, friendship, promises and betrayals. It is also about families and the realities and daily challenges after a great loss. The characters and the dialogue are wonderfully developed. You can believe that this family lives on your street. They have the same everyday problems that any family with teenagers has. I believed the conversations between parent and child and teenagers with their friends, I could actually hear the words being spoken.
After I finished reading this book, I couldn't help wondering what I would do in the same situation. Grief is a very personal emotion and Ms.
…more Dugan explores all the facets in this heart wrenching novel.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story. I also believe book clubs would find several good topics to discuss. (less)An uplifting story of two lifelong male friends who make a promise to care for Audrey if Leo her firefighter husband is killed. Leo is killed and Garrett quits a job and moves West to fulfill his promise to his friend. Love grows again!
Anne S. (Coralville, IA)
Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan
This book is a quick read, and a pleasant one. We learn immediately that Leo wants his friend Garrett to sign a paper. The paper is a promise that Garrett will marry Audrey, Leo's wife, if Leo should die.
I thought this was a strange request, but looked forward to learning more about these people. Garrett is a dear friend who feels the responsibility to help his friend's family when Leo is killed in a skiing accident.
As the story goes on, some predictable things happen. The story reflects the lives of some decent, ordinary people and the turn of events which can change lives so much.While there are not a great
…more many twists and turns in the plot, it is interesting and I would recommend it to anyone who likes family stories and happy endings. (less)I started crying early on with this book. I felt for all the characters and the literary device of bouncing around from one character's point of view to another made each of them come to life. The short chapters made it easy to put down and pick up and helped me savor the story. I was with them up until the "conflict" that was introduced towards the end of the book. It didn't feel realistic to me and that's why it was downgraded from a five star to a four. The book felt like to ended too soon and I'll miss these characters!
Vy A. (Phoenix, AZ)
The Sweetheart Deal
When a family outing on the slopes turns tragic, ending the life quite unexpectedly, of a strong, healthy husband and father, we experience the many faces grief takes through the people left behind. Told in six first-person viewpoints --his wife, Audrey, his three sons and his best friend, I had the feeling I was in the home myself—perhaps like a doll-house with the outer wall removed as I watched these realistic characters simultaneously struggle with this tragedy in their own way. Although I thankfully have not experienced such a loss, I think it was probably a very realistic portrayal of a family's struggle
…more to continue their lives in spite of their despair. When the best friend, Garrett, comes to the aid of the family, eventually he and Audrey become attracted to each other, but complications arise when a secret pact made between two drunken friends many years ago is discovered. What Audrey and Garrett learn about friendship, love,loyalty, and family, makes for an interesting read. (less)The Sweetheart Deal was well, sweet! It was easy to fall for the characters and journey beside them as they struggle with their loss, their grief,and putting their lives back together. A quick, sweet read!
Liz B. (Fairview, TX)
Enjoyable but Predictable
The Sweetheart Deal is a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the format of short chapters with alternating characters featured. The ending is predictable right from the beginning but there are some twists to keep the pages turning. I would like to have had another chapter or two, perhaps a glimpse into the future a few years later. Overall, I enjoyed this book and think it would be interesting for a book club discussion.
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