Did I Expect Angels?

by: Kathryn Maughan

Published by: iUniverse

Reviewed by Lisa Benton, Psy.D.

In her debut novel, Kathryn Maughan tells the story of a young mother struggling to recover from the tragic loss of her husband. Jennnifer, widowed at an early age, is forced to raise their young daughter alone and finds herself on the brink of suicide. The author creatively intertwines Jennifer’s story with that of an unlikely friend, Henry, who shares his past in effort to connect with Jennifer and help her move on with her life.

As Henry reveals his own story of love and loss, Jennifer daydreams about her past. She retraces her life back to the day that she met her late husband, and in the process tells the story of a young girl searching for love, security, and a sense of belonging.

The story depicts the harsh realities that often accompany sudden tragedies, as well as the new direction that can be found within despair. Jennifer and Henry find mutual solace and understanding in each other’s life experiences. By listening to Henry’s story, Jennifer is guided towards new hope and motivation to move forward with her life. It also seems that in sharing his story, Henry finds personal meaning and purpose within his own hardships. Their stories are intricately paralleled throughout the book in a masterful effort to relate the deeper message that we are all connected at a fundamental level by our own humanity.

Maughan beautifully illustrates the healing power of human connection. Maughan has a talent for character develop and quickly endears both characters to the reader. This emotional story is both heart wrenching and heartwarming, and those looking for an entertaining read will find it in this well written novel.

Armchair Interview says: Very substantial offering from this first-time author.

Author’s Web site: http://www.KathyMaughan.com