Book Review - Strong Enough by Ellen Harger

Strong Enough
Ellen Harger
File Size: 522 KB
Print Length: 308 pages
Publisher: Ellen Harger  (February 25, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00BLD5U78

While there was some excellent writing in this book, I really struggled to finish it as the characters simply did not draw me into the story. Even the central character, Whitney, did not become likeable until I was several chapters in, and there were times even then that I found her poor choices and wishy-washy behavior off-putting. Some of the supporting cast were people who did not like each other, and I couldn't help but wonder why they didn't just all go in separate directions.

But of course, then there would not have been a story.

Other readers have obviously been able to connect with the characters as there have been some good reviews on Amazon, so I am sure that my problem with the book was my problem, and not the fault of the author.  When we are introduced to new characters in a book it is much like being introduced to new people at a party. Some we like and some we don't. That doesn't take anything away from the person, or the host of the party. (smile)

In many ways the story celebrates strong women as Whitney becomes stronger herself. Then there is the  theme of friendships and how we are all affected by our attachments. There were some truisms in the book that were revealed as Whitney made her way through the minefield of her relationships. One of those truisms is that things can change if we just learn how to take a stand. Whitney learns that when she doesn't back down from a verbal attack by Sadi, cousin to Whitney's friend, Leah. Whitney also learns that enemies aren't always enemies and friends aren't always friends.

One of the many things I liked about the book was the use of music and music references to enhance the story. When the story opens Whitney has just taken a job as a radio DJ, and the scenes with her assuming her on-air personality, Kelly Carter, are some of the best in the book. The dialogue was also very well done, and each character did have a distinctive voice.

Ellen Harger, who has been on a blog tour to promote her book,  has studied creative writing and art in the Midwest and also in Boston at Cambridge. Strong Enough is her first novel. Ellen will be my guest this next Tuesday, so I hope you will come back and help me to welcome her. I usually have guests on Wednesday, but Ellen was scheduled at another blog that day this week. It would be hard for her to sit and have a glass of iced tea with me, if she was somewhere else. (smile)

In the meantime, you can catch up with the tour and enter to win a copy of the book.

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