Comeback Love

As I've said before, I have a serious problem when it comes to bookstores. When I went to Barnes & Noble last week, I fully intended to buy one book. That was my limit, then I was cut off. I must have spent an hour browsing the shelves before deciding on the one lucky book I was going to read next. I walked past the non-fiction, biographies, top sellers, and romances and kept my eyes straight ahead until I was safely on the escalator. And then I fell off the wagon. 

In my defense, I fell off at the discounted book section. And, in my defense, the three extra books that I got were all under $5. What kind of person would I be if I walked away from that?

Ironically, Comeback Love was not the book that I originally planned to read, but rather a book that I got at the last minute off the sale shelf. It is the story of a young couple in the 1960's who reconnect nearly 40 years later. I was initially drawn to this story line because I am a firm believer in things being meant to be. However, the book wasn't as mushy, lovey as you would expect. 

Set in the 60's, it deals with a lot of historical aspects. Glenna is a female med student, advocating abortion and Gordon is a pot smoking journalist, covering Vietnam war rallies and Woodstock. The story begins with 2010 Gordon searching for a woman that he has not seen in 35 years, and flashes back to a relationship that they had in their early 20's. Not only did the story deal with their relationship, but it dealt with controversial issues, three generations of war, and family relationships as well. 

There were times that I was concerned about how I was going to feel about this book, because my views are so opposite of the issues reflected by the characters. I was nervous that I was going to find it offensive and form an opinion of the book based on that. However, I loved it. Regardless of my personal political views, it was easy to relate to Glenna and Gordon and understand their lives. 

As I said before, I also truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Time and time again I tell my friends, and myself, that if they are meant to be with someone they will be. Whether it's next week, next year, or twenty years from now. It was nice to root for Gordon and Glenna and believe that two people can come back to each other. The catch line for Comeback Love was "What would you do if you had a second chance with the one that got away?". I think that every reader has someone that comes to mind when asked that question, and it made the story very relatable. 

I definitely recommend Comeback Love, and will no longer feel guilty about grabbing extra books off the sale rack. After all, if I had stuck to my plan I never would have found this one.