"Wandering with You" - @Jazzy1983

Summary:

Thomas has it all: a title, money, the girl, and a prestigious position waiting for him at the family law firm. But when he thinks about the life ahead of him, his chest constricts, and he can't breathe. With his final exam approaching, it seems there is nothing else to do - until his friend proposes something different: a gap year. Armed with a guide book, his backpack, and one-way ticket, he sets off for Peru. The problem is, budget hostels and dodgy buses are a far cry from what he is used to. Then he meets the slightly neurotic Nadia who speaks her mind and makes him want to scream, and he realises that life might hold more excitement and adventure than he bargained for - if he'll embrace imperfection.

Initial Reaction:

My heart went boom, boom, boom! This story dives into expectations for young adults, especially when they graduate, find a career, and social pressure to discover a significant other and then marry. On top of that, this explores gap-year and traveling! I absolutely love it! The third person limited narrative provides insight into two main characters, Thomas and Nadia. Thomas is grown up in an elite, career driven background wants peace . . . and wants to achieve what he wants to do. Opposite of his parents. Nadia wants to be with her boyfriend, long-distance relationship, and accomplish her work career as well. It's realist and focuses on characters and the settings. It's so good!

Strengths:

1. Organization: Gosh man. Where to begin? All chapters provide new setting, or more specifically a location and time of the month. This gives the readers a clear understanding of the individual chapters and the story as a whole. I enjoy seeing the two different characters, Thomas and Nadia. How their backgrounds and motivations are similar and yet different. Reading the first five chapters, there's a mystery element to the readers, a question kept popping in my mind: "Will they meet? If so, when will they meet? How will they react to one another?" This organization helps in the pacing, plot, and also makes the readers want to know more. This narrative structures dives into their internal thoughts and conflicts. It's so good! In chapter one, Thomas talks with his best friend, Richard who travels around for a living. Thomas contemplates if he would like to do a gap-year, "He couldn't, could he?" The readers feel his doubt. Then additional thoughts show his struggle. The readers see this happening, this helps the readers connect with the characters and the plot.

2. Descriptions: Love, love, love, love, love it! I wrote down many quotes in my notes. The subtle hints in mannerisms and location gives me an elegant picture. It's difficult for me to choose one quote, in chapter four, when Thomas goes into an old bookstore, "He wiped the water from his eyes and squinted in the dim light, taking in a poky room lined with rows of old-leather spines in burgundy, green and brown." The readers see through Thomas's point of view, he believes this bookstore is important, mostly to protect himself from the nasty storm outside. He notices the small details like the old-leather, he enjoys being around books. This is shown, even though the readers know by now because he's been in school for awhile. The small details amplify what the readers already know and also display something the readers don't know. The readers learn and connect with them!

3. Dialogue: Throughout the first five chapters, I've giggled, cheered, related, and other expressions over the conversations. I hear the way the characters say the words: tone and mood. The conversations reveal the character's personality. Instantly, in chapter two, the readers meet Nadia who live on the opposite side of the world from Thomas. She's surfing in Adelaide, South Australia, taking in the scenery and thinking about her boyfriend. Then a stranger comes up . . . trying to flirt with her and "teaching" her on surfing: " 'You surf on your back foot too much. . . I'll give you some pointers.' Oh, can we? Why thank you so much!" He talks to her and then her internal thoughts answer his flirtation and thinking he knows more than she does. The readers know the stranger quickly, and also about Nadia's personality. She's spitfire, sarcastic, and confident against other people advantages. I'm rooting for her!

Recommendation:

I enjoy the organization with the location, time of month! The narrative is third person limited. (I might be bias, my story is in third person limited too.) The set up almost hinted to me that we'll be bouncing back and forth between Thomas and Nadia. Therefore, when chapter four came, I'm prepared to read in Nadia's point of view. I was surprised to read Thomas's.

Some readers could experience confusion. Each person has a different interpretation.

I recommend to go back and forth between the characters, one chapter in Thomas and then Nadia. It can strengthen a smooth transition.

In the story's summary, it focuses on Thomas and mentions Nadia prefer. Perhaps, expand on Nadia's plot because the readers are diving into her point of view. Readers then have an idea what this story will be diving.

Honestly, the story is fantastic! This is a recommend to help strengthen the organization, when the narrative is strong already. It's great!

Thank you so much!

I hope this review helps and encourages you.

~ Fallon Elizabeth ~

P.S. The external link is the story! I've been adding it to each review, so then it's easier to find them. :)