A Borrowed Life: Book Review

Title:  A Borrowed Life
My Rating: 4.75     
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Author: Kerry Anne King
Format: Paperback
Publication Date:  September 22, 2020

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A Borrowed Life Book Blurb

From the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This comes an emotional and sharply witty novel about how life’s unexpected detours can ultimately bring you home.

For twenty-six years Liz has perfectly played the part of Mrs. Thomas Lightsey, exemplary pastor’s wife and mother. But maintaining appearances for the congregation and catering to her demanding husband takes a toll, and she’s lost herself in meeting the expectations of others. When Thomas suddenly dies, Liz feels shock, grief, and, to her surprise, the siren song of freedom. Dare she dream of a life to call her own?

Despite the resistance of her daughter, Abigail, to even the smallest changes, Liz lands a role at the community theater. Inspired by new friends and the character she plays, she explores life’s possibilities, including an unexpected—and steamy—relationship with her leading man.

Just when Liz thinks she might be winning, life hits her with an unthinkable shock. She’s pregnant at forty-nine. Torn between conflicting loyalties to her daughter, her lover, her unborn baby, and herself, can Liz find a way to rebuild her dream life one more time?

A Borrowed Life REVIEW

As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

• 1 star: Did not finish
• 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
• 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
• 4 Stars: Loved this book!
• 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.

My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.

I’m human.

Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.

This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 

My Thoughts…

I barely stopped to sleep when reading this book. I’m not even sure I can pinpoint why, but I was hooked on this story. Something about the writing instantly drew me into the book and I HAD to keep reading.

I felt everything that happened, the despair, helplessness, and hopelessness that turned into hope for the future. The story never stopped for me, never dragged, and I just wanted to read it.

There was something so very relatable to Liz. I not only rooted for her, but I was invested in her future. I didn’t need her to succeed, I didn’t need her to find love, I didn’t even need her to find a happily ever after. I needed her to find herself and find peace.

There is just something so very compelling about Liz and her story. I honestly didn’t know what she was going to do what, what choices she would make. I just wanted to see her get to decide for herself.

Though there’s romance, it’s definitely not the typical meet cute, with a very twisty relationship. The romantic relationship served to help Liz come into herself, experience life, and really decide who she wanted to be. This wasn’t a perfect hero, instant love, overly idealized love story. A Borrowed Life depicts love at its truest and full of complications, and uses it to compliment the focus of the book, which is Liz’s journey of healing.

If you like fiction, especially emotional, redemptive stories, this is your next read.

*Special thanks to Kerry Anne King, Lake Union Publishing, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of A Borrowed Life in exchange for an honest review.