MATTER OF CHOICE by R. M. Alexander

MATTER OF CHOICE

by R. M. Alexander

ARC review

Published: January 21, 2014

My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️

A car accident two years ago left Shannon Winter's husband, Greg, with amnesia that left him unable to remember his wife or his marriage. All this time Shannon has clung to her own vows despite his constant drinking and strings of affairs, hoping Greg would one day return to the person she once married. In the meantime, her exclusive hotel on the Hudson River keeps her busy and distracted. Until Greg start disrupting her safe haven there as well.

It's been about two decades since high school, but Triston Keyes could still not shake the guilt he felt for losing the one girl that really mattered. He was a successful and established business owner and had no problem finding female companionship, but in twenty years, had not been able to find anyone who could keep his attention. Hoping that by clearing his conscience he would be able to free his heart, Triston goes in search of the girl he wronged and finds her at her hotel.

Facing Triston again after all these years, just as she is in the middle of a disaster of a marriage going from bad to worse in a hurry, is not something Shannon could have dreamed up in her worst nightmares. But Triston surprises her by claiming to want to make restitution for his actions back in high school. And just as she discovers she has been subject to the worst betrayal, he is there to support and comfort her. 

The feelings they had between them once are quickly rekindled and although Shannon desperately tried to stay true to her vows, she cannot single-handedly keep the sinking ship afloat. But regardless of which choice she makes, the loss will be big.....her hotel, or her heart.

****

Very intriguing plot line......

I really enjoyed the variety of plot twists and turns of this story. An interesting outline to start with, the 'plot thickened' tremendously when the old boyfriend was added to the cast. Played out mainly within the confines of the hotel, this story could almost serve as the script for a play. I seemed to visualize it that way as I was reading it.

Shannon, although a strong and self sufficient woman, is allowing her husband to run around on her claiming loss of memory. She sticks by him, simply to honor her vows of marriage, hoping he will come to his senses and blaming his (in my opinion) unforgivable behaviour on his amnesia. I take some issue with that, namely, even if your husband loses all memory of you and your marriage, what kind of character does he have to drag other women in front of you indiscriminately and disrupt your place of work drunk?? Amnesia is not an excuse for shitty behavior...... it is an excuse for not remembering your name or your role. I find it difficult to reconcile that a woman so well put together and successful would miss that distinction.

Triston seems determined to seek Shannon out. He did a real number on her in high school, but apparently the excuse of youth works for him. To his credit, he seems committed to do right by her this time, although I am always a bit suspect of emotions getting switched off and on at the drop of a hat. He is protective and would like nothing more than to pick up where they left off years ago, but realizes that Shannon needs to make decisions on her own. Even if he doesn't understand why she would stay in a marriage like that. 

This novel had me hooked with the storyline. I simply had to know what was going to happen next, and so I finished in one sitting. Highly enjoyable! 

If you like a bit of a character study, some psychological game playing, a bit of action and some sexual tension without the heat....... This book is for you!!

✨A striking, emotional and empowering story of letting go.✨

**ARC provided in return for an honest review.**