Gisèle L Grieves’ WILLOW’S RIDGE is essentially twenty-five-year-old Ally’s story, and told from her perspective which gives the reader immediacy and intimacy as she navigates a life that distances her quite some way from where she begins. She is occasionally frustrating but always candid and this honesty also helps draw the reader into her confidence making her likeable and her trajectory credible. The subsequent relationship between James (who she meets on a blind date) and Ally is realistic and their chemistry sparks convincingly throughout. He is a solid, dependable character who provides a calming, steady influence to Ally’s occasional volatility. The supporting cast are all well-realized especially James’ father, Tom, and Ally’s mother, Barbara. The close-knit, loving family unit that surrounds Ally comes across in stark comparison to James’ self-absorbed, unpleasant mother and sister.
Grieves’ throughout WILLOW’S RIDGE is fairly literal, which complements Ally’s forthright attitude. There is little or no superfluity to the writing. Dialogue is nicely authentic between all characters and importantly weaves nuggets of backstory through the various conversations. The main story gallops along and, given the nine years it covers, it could have been a longer, more involved novel but it works well as a shorter book although some areas do lack a little depth. The linear, single narrative is relatively uncomplicated. Nonetheless, each chapter contains dramatic elements which build interest, heighten suspense and maintain the rapid pace. Life is, on the whole, pretty wonderful for Ally, and this syrupy, near-perfection conversely begins to lend the narrative a creeping sense of foreboding. This growing apprehension is instrumental in the book being hard to put down.
As the reader heads towards the twist, which is horrendous, the tempo races to the extent that the story almost blurs; it passes so quickly. This may not have been intentional but it neatly mirrors Ally and James’ shock, panic and desperation. As her emotions ricochet wildly, the reader is plunged with Ally into a landscape of heartbreak and loss. It is an affecting study in grief and one that feels incredibly personal. This subjectivity is continued in Chapter 19, which has a poignant and retrospective feel as Ally brings the reader up to speed with her current life, ten years after the event that changed her, James’ and their respective families forever. The book concludes with a mature, contemplative yet ultimately resilient Ally who, thanks to the believable characterization, is still connected albeit a world away, from the amusing singleton of Chapter 1. The majority of WILLOW’S RIDGE is sweetly satisfying and makes for an addictive read despite it being a little too factual and, in places, a touch superficial. However, the last quarter of the novel hurtles the reader into a very different place and one which contrasts with breath-taking sharpness to the preceding narrative.
WILLOW’S RIDGE is an emotional rollercoaster of a book with a strong lead character and a story that takes a profound and unexpected turn. Well worth a read.
~Rose Auburn for IndieReader