Way Down Deep
Have you ever received a text from a wrong number? Have you ever sent a text to the wrong number? The resulting conversation can be hilarious or humiliating, possibly both. This book explores what could happen if a man sends a text he doesn’t believe will ever be answered. Then he receives an answer, though not from the recipient originally intended.
Way Down Deep is a quirky little epistolary novel, told in the form of text messages from one stranger to another. (Don’t worry; The texts are grammatically correct. There are no “wut r u doin” passages. That would have driven me batty.)
I wasn’t sure it would be a gimmick that would work, even though I enjoy books by both Cara McKenna and Charlotte Stein. I was pleasantly surprised though, at how each character’s essence is developed and conveyed throughout their conversations. Both protagonists have some serious stuff to work through, but each manages to help the other stretch their boundaries and grow personally. They don’t automatically fix one another. It’s a gradual process, at times heartbreaking and painful given their backstories.
It may take the reader a few chapters to sink into the book, but the second half really takes off. Once the reader learns the details of the hero and heroine’s lives (and names are part of the revelation, so I won’t disclose them here), their individual stories and how they can fit together becomes intriguing. By the time they settled into their conversational rhythm, I was hooked. They’re flirty and serious by turn, and it works because both of the book’s authors have a strong ear for dialogue.
The principals have real, difficult barriers to being together; she as an agoraphobic who hasn’t left the house in years, he as a new dad of a traumatized little boy. And the black moment, that point of no return, had my heart breaking, thinking all really was lost this time. But rest assured, the story ends well with an ending that made me catch my breath, then sigh happily.
All in all, this is a must read for lovers of epistolary romance with an update for the modern age. There are difficult moments, such as when each character reveals what brought them to this place in time. And there are joyous, small victories, for instance, when the heroine opens her window and feels the rain on her hand. I recommend taking a few hours one afternoon and getting to know this unconventional couple in their unique way.
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Heather Stanton
I read romance of any sub-genre, but particularly love contemporaries. Well-written stories of any variety interest me though and I'm always on the hunt for my next favorite book. I love smart-mouthed heroines and tortured heroes, unusual time periods and just about anything medieval. On a personal note, I'm a political junkie, Cushing's Disease survivor, mom to 11 rescued dogs and too many cats to actually count.
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Book Details
| Reviewer: | Heather Stanton |
|---|---|
| Review Date: | July 5, 2017 |
| Publication Date: | 06/2017 |
| Grade: | B+ |
| Sensuality | Warm |
| Book Type: | Contemporary Romance |
| Review Tags: | epistolary | realistic parenting |
I love epistolary stories, so I bought this. And I did like the beginning and end of the story, but there was a large chunk in the middle that reminded me of watching a 3D movie in 2D – passages that you know are crafted to thrill some of the audience, but that audience isn’t you. Basically, I got really bored with the sexting and started skimming. And then there was this perfect jewel of a moment when one of them (Malcolm?) suddenly punctures the endless fantasy with a thought about real-life sex, and that was a bit brilliant, and properly erotic.
Also I was hampered by – I don’t know if it was my age, or my choices, but there’s a lot of bonding about books I hadn’t read, music I haven’t listened to, TV I sometimes had never heard of, and a long passage involving a film I haven’t watched. I think when those references work, they can really draw the reader in, but when a character is being revealed in that way, and you don’t have the context to know what their choices say about them, it’s distancing.
My big problem – and I’ve got to say I love angsty books, and this has all the angst with added whipped cream and a cherry on top. so it should be my thing – but my big problem is that from where the authors left the characters, I feel I’ve a clear view as to what happens next, and it doesn’t work out for them. And maybe, perhaps, if the authors had done a “…three months later” postscript showing how they envisioned the thing working, I could have bought into the relationship. But it’d be a hard sell – even if you take it as read that the couple’s mental rapport will be matched with a similar physical connection – three people in a house, all working through difficult issues, with only marginal external support – I think it ends in tears.
But despite the negativity, I’m glad I read it, and I did enjoy the read: thanks for the review.
Good job reviewing this because it’s HARD. It’s best to go into this blind imo. I really, really liked this and would also give it a B+
Sold! Epistolary romances are my weakness.
Hum…your review has me intrigued. I’m not usually a fan of epistolary romance but I may just give this one a try. And I have to laugh at your side note about the texts being grammatically correct. Even in this day and age, I still can’t get myself to text using acronyms or anything other than complete sentences.