The Book: The Rest of My Life

The Author: Sheryl Browne

The Story: You can’t run away from commitment forever …

Adam Hamilton-Shaw has more reason than most to avoid commitment. Living on a houseboat in the Severn Valley, his dream is to sail into the sunset – preferably with a woman waiting in every port. But lately, his life looks more like a road to destruction than an idyllic boat ride…

Would-be screenplay writer Sienna Meadows realises that everything about Adam spells trouble – but she can’t ignore the feeling that there is more to him than just his bad reputation. Nor can she ignore the intense physical attraction that exists between them.

And it just so happens that Adam sees Sienna as the kind of woman he could commit to. But can he change his damaging behaviour – or is the road to destruction a one-way street?

About Cheryl Browne:

Heartache, humour, love, loss, betrayal – and a little Ohhhh la la! Sheryl Browne brings you edgy, sexy, poignant fiction. A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and shortlisted for Innovation in Romantic Fiction, Sheryl has recently completed her MA in Creative Writing.

She has six books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University Anthologies. A further short, written to script, was performed live at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Sheryl was recently signed by Choc Lit, who acquired a contemporary romance novel recommended by the WH Smith Travel fiction buyer. When she’s not writing, Sheryl can be found doing strange things like skydiving from 20,000 feet or abseiling down buildings, which possibly makes her a little bit mad.

Review by Marsha:

Sometimes horrible things happen to really good people. And sometimes those events change a basically very good person into someone no one recognizes or even likes much anymore. Sometimes they get a second chance at a good life, trouble is they have to decide to reach out and grab it with both hands and hold on tight.

Adam has had some really crappy things happen in his life these past few years. Things that could destroy a man and any dreams of normal or happy are blown out the window. Adam now lives on his houseboat docked at a friend’s marina. He is constantly working on it to get it seaworthy enough to head out for the free life of no commitments, no rules – just him, his boat and the wide ocean to escape to.

His life now consists of odd jobs (to fund the houseboat repairs), lots and lots of booze and even more willing women who seems to be a never ending line leading up to his boat and his bed. If it’s female, wants no commitment from him and wants nothing more than some hot sex – Adam is all up for that. It doesn’t help his frame of mind that he often feels the ghostly presence of a very sad woman – but of course, that’s nothing more than his drunken, overactive imagination. In truly blunt terms, Adam doesn’t give a rat’s arse about much of anything beyond drinking, screwing around and finding a freedom that he will never achieve.

Sienna lives in a house overlooking the water, and Adam’s revolving door to his houseboat. He’s definitely attractive so the constant women make a sort of sense, but really? How can someone live like that? Sienna is a writer, struggling right now with a script that well frankly needs more sex in it. And how is she to accomplish that when her experience is purely the written word. She even has a stalker of an ex-boyfriend who while screaming frigid virgin in one breath, still wants her back in the next.

Isn’t it ironic that we can view an event (really eavesdrop) and take away a meaning that has little to do with what actually happened? Sienna sees money exchanged between Adam and one of his female visitors and comes to the conclusion that she could pay Adam for the experience she needs to jumpstart her script. And now life for both of them is going to get very interesting.

The Rest Of My Life is a tale of many things. The lengths a man will go to in order to escape emotional pain. The belief that freedom to roam will fill up a deep void in one’s life, instead of simply covering the symptoms. The truth that deep within a currently depraved man still lives the man who believed in happy endings, love and commitment and second chances. The woman who doesn’t see her own beauty. Or the chance at happiness should the man she has come to love could only change around his life for himself and for her.

There is deep sadness in The Rest Of My Life. There is also the moment of discovery of a second chance being handed over and the only thing one has to do really is reach out with their true self and grab it with both hands. I shed tears, belly laughed, mourned and rejoiced during the time I spent with Adam and Sienna. I discovered two wounded people who found what they needed in each other, they only had to admit that they were worth the risk. Add in a sweet aging dog, a ghostly presence, friends that only want the best for you in spite of yourself, an overprotective and charming father to the mix and you will find an amazing romance well worth your risk in reading it. I would highly recommend The Rest Of My Life to anyone who believes in second chances and that true love will win everything in the end.

Sometimes a story sticks with you long after the final word is read. The Rest Of My Life is that kind of story.

Review by Annie:

This was torture! I was so rooting for Adam and he kept screwing up!! I felt like shaking the man at times. Sienna was a lovely a character and the perfect innocent foil for Adam.

The best character by far for me, was Sienna’s father, David. He was absolutely perfect as the protective, but understanding father! Reminded me strongly of mine, but maybe my Dad wasn’t quite so understanding.

I felt so sorry for Adam as his actions resulted in some very painful experiences (physical and emotional). His friend Nate was brilliant – very supportive but close to the end of his tether! Can we have a second book about Nate please?