A Life Rewritten by Laura Ashwood Is a Heart-Stirring Novel & a Perfect Summer Read

If you're like me, light-hearted romance novels are fun on occasion, but their lack of substance makes for wearisome reading for those who crave stories with deeper emotional connections and unexpected twists.

A Life Rewritten is Laura Ashwood's latest release, and it's the perfect summer read. The story begins in New York, takes a surprising turn in California, and concludes happily in North Carolina's Outer Banks.

What is A Life Rewritten by Laura Ashwood About?

To an outsider, Abby Whitney's life seems perfect. She's a Manhattan socialite with a powerful husband who spends her time planning charitable events and attending functions with her elite circle.

Despite her wealth and social standing, Abby's life feels empty. Her mother is cold, distant, and fixated on maintaining appearances. Her husband, Michael, spends more time traveling for work than he does at home, and he staunchly opposes Abby's desire to grow their family.

Abby's world is turned upside down when Michael dies suddenly and she discovers the shocking truth that her husband has been living a double life. He leaves behind an eight-year-old daughter, Cami, and his will appoints Abby as her guardian.

The scandal reveals how shallow Abby's "friends" really are, and her journey leads to true friendships, self-discovery, and purpose.

While Abby's attempt to comfort a grieving child while dealing with the wreckage of her own life, Abby stops being the person everyone wants her to be and follows her own path in Bluefin Bay, North Carolina.

A Life Rewritten Is Big on Character Arcs and Light on Romance

While A Life Rewritten teases a potential romance between Abby and local rancher, Logan Taylor, the story centers on Abby's personal growth and her deepening relationship with Cami.

Abby has spent her life obediently filling the role of a New York socialite--a life where relationships are shallow and "friends" abandon each other at the first hint of scandal. Along the way, she finds real friends who are faithful, genuine, and supportive. She exchanges obligation and duty for the pursuit of personal passions, which even lands her a job that she loves in a place that feels like home.

Abby does the right thing, even when it's counterintuitive to her New York network. Her mother demands that she push Cami into foster care, but Abby's maternal instincts override her mother's controlling nature. She determines to love the child, viewing both of them as victims of Michael's bad choices.

Cami initially hates Abby for taking her from her home and forcing her to live in a sterile New York apartment. Cami is angry and acts out in ways that are typical during the stages of grief. However, little by little, Cami softens toward Abby and adjusts to a new life.

The character arcs for Abby and Cami are realistic, well-paced, and culminate in a satisfying ending. Ashwood does a masterful job in capturing the unique voices, attitudes, and actions of each character.

Final Thoughts on A Life Rewritten

Nuggets of faith are interspersed sporadically throughout the novel like Easter eggs, and I appreciate those threads that establish perspective.

I love that Abby chooses to do the right thing despite the peer pressure from her New York base. One of my favorite lines from the story is when Abby makes it clear to her attorney that she plans to keep Cami despite the pushback. She wisely states, "You know, maybe if people stopped worrying so much about what other people thought and more about doing the right thing, the world would be a better place."

The book's title couldn't be more fitting. While tragedy upends both Cami's and Abby's lives, the betrayal leads to resilience, experiencing the healing power of love, and becoming the people they are meant to be. It's an inspiring and encouraging way to look at trauma.

Buy A Life Rewritten by Laura Ashwood

A Life Rewritten by Laura Ashwood is so good that it has been added to Booknerdia's website under favorite seasonal reading recs!

Don't miss out on this wonderful story! Order your copy today.

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