When the Storm Breaks: pre-release ebook review





When the storm ends: pre-release ebook review (based on a free copy)

Fyi- This book could easily be renamed ‘Trigger warning’ as these are wide swathes of text in which will make readers uncomfortable, even though the overall theme if the book is catharsisl.

Too many times, small press books are all potential and terrible follow through. I happily, moved to the top of my reading pile, I was not disappointed. Rebecca Marsh put together a wonderful novel.

Quick synopsis- Beth Christopher is a child psychologist working a social case where she sees some similarities to herself in the way a troubled teen appears closed off and broken. Beth attempts to help 15-year-old Erin as she prepares to be tried in court for the murder of her father. Beth feels a kinship in the shared pain, having been raised in an unhappy and violent home, ultimately shuffled through the social services system. 30 years later, educated and in a stable loving marriage, Beth finds herself plagued by nightmares and dificulty engaging in some family scenarios.

I wasn’t sure what to expected from this novel. While it sounded interesting, it felt at risk of being heavy handed or amaturishly clinical.. Instead, When the Storm Ends was clean and fairly precise in it’s execution. The tale unfolds and culminates with ease. Marsh is able to tie any loose ends into a pleasant package.

Minor gripe- Beth’s story requires the inclusion of many characters who are introduced with easily missed descriptions like ‘my sister Katie’. After paragraph rereading and frustration that I had missed something, the explanation arrives again in the next chapter. I also had to suspend disbelief mometarily at the beginning when Beth breaks ethics to share her story with Erin the troubled teen, feeling off character for how she is in the rest of the book. Not critical, but worth noting for when you pick up a Kindle copy after the October 2018 launch!

Worth mentioning- All the classic faults of a small press publication and first novel were sidestepped! The criticality of the faults are in the forgivable vein, being mainly cosmetic ebook publication flaws. A nice small press surprise ;)

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