Review – The Man I Love (The Fish Tales #1) by Suanne Laqueur

The Man I Love by Suanne Laqueur
Series: The Fish Tales #1
on June 16th 2014
Pages: 483 pages


Goodreads
Reading Challenges: Read New Authors

Erik "Fish" Fiskare loves the theatre, but he’s more intrigued by the wizardry behind the red curtain than the spectacle center stage. That is, until Daisy Bianco steps into the spotlight. The moment Erik lays eyes on this ballerina, his atoms rearrange and the young stagehand will never be the same.

For two years, the romance thrives within a tight-knit circle of artists and friends. Then, a newcomer arrives—James, a brilliant but erratic dancer with a misguided infatuation and a burning desire to belong. Rejection sets James on a course for destruction and when the smoke clears, Erik’s world is torn apart. He soon discovers that in the face of heartache, grief and betrayal, love is not always enough to make you stay. And sometimes, it’s the only thing that can bring you back.

Spanning fifteen years and following a man's thrilling emotional journey back to the truth of himself, this award-winning novel has gripped readers and placed Laqueur as one of the most exciting debut authors of 2015. The Man I Love is an epic tale of love and forgiveness that will linger long after the last page is turned.

I was provided a review copy; this did not influence my opinion of the book.

Stunning. Shocking. Heartbreaking. Harrowing. Profound. Powerful. Exquisite. Passionate.

April 17, 2015, I received a review request for THE MAN I LOVE. My schedule was full but I was intrigued by the blurb. I emailed the author letting her know I was not able to read it at the time but wanted to. Now, almost 1 and a half years later, I finally had the chance. And I am so glad I did.

There have been a few books over my life (including this year) which had a profound effect one me, this was one of them. It is going to be hard to break my thoughts down into a legible review, but I am going to try.

❝You said you were waiting for the one.❞
❝I think I was waiting for you.❞

THE MAN I LOVE started with beautiful lyrical writing that lulled me into a stable emotional state. I was captivated by the beautifully crafted words which made up intricate sentences, and exquisite paragraphs. I fell in love with the story, the characters, and their intense love for one another. When suddenly Suanne Laqueur started throwing punches. To my stomach. To my head. And to my heart. I felt physically ill, I was spell-bound and crushed. I couldn’t make sense of what I was reading and I was in a panic trying to read faster, trying to feed my soul, trying to get to the end point to find everything okay.

The author explores recovery, both physical and mental, from trauma and senseless tragedy. Her characters try to make sense of what occurred, try to simply exist in the new normal they find themselves in. It isn’t easy, it is ugly, it is brutal and it is harrowing. People react, things happen, things go wrong, can they forgive? Do they still love?

❝At some point, you just have to start living the truth of who you are and what you feel.❞

It was the exquisite writing of this author and the stunning storytelling, that made this book shocking, powerful and harrowing. I felt the pain and the anguish these characters went through. I was devastated, depressed, I was an emotional wreck. Believe me, this is NOT a light read. 

❝The fairy tale was over, yes, but a truer, grittier human tale had begun in its place. A book with the strength of blood in its bound pages.❞

But it was beautiful and profound. The author’s attention to detail is magnificent, her insight is, …I am without words to explain it. I felt like I was in therapy, I learned so much about myself and the people around me.

❝We are all shaped by our scars.❞

And told in the third person. This shocks me. Because I didn’t care. I am a 1st person POV snob. But here, the 3rd person POV worked beautifully.

Admittedly, I didn’t want this book to end. But if there had not been a series, I would have been satisfied with the ending. For me, it is a HFN and I think it could be a standalone. BUT thank goodness there are more and the story isn’t finished.

Not what I would classify as a traditional romance, but Women’s Fiction with romantic elements. I recommend this to anyone who loves angst, loves love, and/or loves storytelling at its finest! A Top Favorite Of The Year!

 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• Read New Authors

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