Nicole Adams’ life is on track. A single mother, she is content with her blossoming art career and raising her teenage son, Justin. But her life is thrown for a loop when Justin tells Nicole that his girlfriend, Daniela, is pregnant. Nicole supports her son, inviting Daniela to live with them, but quickly realizes that not everything is as it seems. She soon finds herself dealing with not just her career and her son, but also Daniela’s overbearing mother and abusive father. Things quickly come to a head as personalities clash and lies are exposed.
WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE examines the ties that bind us and how powerful caring can be, whether between a mother and child, siblings, romantic partners, or even just friends. Still, the question of how far a mother will go to protect her child is at the heart of the story. “For our children, we will say or do anything,” says Daniela’s mother, Viviana. “We will tell lies, play tricks, if it is necessary to keep them safe.”
The story flows quickly and smoothly, right up to a jaw-dropping plot twist. Author Anne Pfeffer’s writing is elegant and accessible and the plot is well-crafted. Nicole is a worthy heroine, ambitious and compassionate, but flawed enough to be relatable. Her independence will resonate with readers; Nicole is proof that women can have it all, although it might take a lot of work.
WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE is an excellent addition to contemporary women’s literature, but is also suitable for young adults. Its teen-aged secondary characters, Justin and Daniela, are no less developed than Nicole and equally, if not more, compelling. With elements of romance and suspense, WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE bridges genres, making it appealing to a wide variety of audiences. It is also a novel that readers will want to share with their friends, if only to have someone to discuss it with (WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE is the type of book that demands discussion).
WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE is a well-written and heartfelt story that will captivate readers with its compelling characters and jaw-dropping plot twist.
~Christine-Marie Liwag Dixon for IndieReader