Once again, Amy Harmon has provided me with a reason to read! Her writing is flawless, imaginative and informative. I always learn something new when I read her books. Compassion, love, and empathy are themes you will find in her novels. She takes you on a journey of the human spirit and you find yourself privileged to have been along for the ride.
“Cages come in lots of different colors and shapes. Some are gilded, while others have a slamming door. But golden handcuffs are still handcuffs.”
Harmon’s writing is so magical you feel like there is a movie unfolding before your eyes and you are a part of the process. You feel the bumps in the road, the anguish and elation, finding yourself laughing and crying right along with the characters. And this book wasn’t any different in that way.
“He pinched himself, just to make sure he’d actually woken up this morning to a pop star in his arms, a Bear on his front steps, and now, God in his backseat.”
Yet it was a different book from the others I have read from her. It was more gritty, yet still clean enough that my “young adult” child could read it. It was a crossover just like Bonnie’s music; this book doesn’t fit into one literary category.
As with all of her books, you will be forced to think when you read this. Because there are underlying messages. It’s not preachy so don’t be scared away by that, but it is impossible to read it and not come away with questions. Questions about yourself, and others.
“People like to throw words like crazy and emotionally unstable around when people are just … different. It’s a way to shut people up. It’s a way to control.”
Bonnie Rae Shelby, is a 21-year-old self-professed hillbilly, and superstar pop/country singer. She’s been singing for her family’s dinner since she was 10. And she’s had enough. Enough of people taking advantage of her, enough of giving all of herself to her fans, and enough of feeling like she’s missing out on what’s real in life. She’s exhausted and depressed and is looking for a way out.
Infinity James Clyde, is a 24-year-old, mathematically brilliant, out of work ex-con. He went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. No one believed his innocence. He is a misunderstood soul. His brilliance and fascination with numbers keep him locked in his head. People can’t or won’t take the time to understand him. So it’s easier to be on his own, than worry about someone getting bored with his fastidiousness and leaving him.
These two characters couldn’t be more opposing, but it works, beautifully. Call it kismet, call it fate, or call it chance, but these two were perfect for each other. She was the yin to his yang. She was reckless, he was thoughtful.
“When you kissed me, Clyde? I felt more in that one, pissed off kiss than I felt in those three or four attempts at making love. And I realized it wasn’t a lie, after all. That was the best kiss I’ve ever had. By far. So tell me what I have to do to earn another one, because embarrassingly enough, I always seem to be the girl begging for affection, and even with a broken give-a-damn, I don’t know how much humiliation I can take.”
Her drive for self-discovery was a bumpy, careless one and Finn was always put in danger during the trip. But while I was angry with Bonnie’s seeming disregard for Finn’s welfare, it became evident to me that he wasn’t being taken advantage of. He enjoyed being carefree and I think needed the spontaneity that it provided. This became his self-discovery ride as well.
“What’s Infinity plus one?” – Bonnie
“It’s not infinity after all. It’s not even two. It’s one, Bonnie Rae. Didn’t you tell me? You and me? We’re two halves of a whole. We’re one.” – Clyde
Infinity + One will be added to my favorites of 2014. This was a 5+ star read for me!
About Amy Harmon
Amy Harmon is a USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in several countries, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.
Amy Harmon has written seven novels – the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, Infinity + One and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her newest release, The Law of Moses, is now available. For updates on upcoming book releases, author posts and more, join Amy at www.authoramyharmon.com
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