Valentine

So much to say about Valentine. But I'll try to keep it brief (ish).
First, this is a debut?!? Wow!
Wetmore's descriptions are like poetry. MY kind of poetry. I envisioned all the scenes clearly. It was easy to feel like I was right in this small town in Texas.
What got me most about Valentine is this novel is just lovely, despite the horrible story. That's writing talent. Plus exceptional narration can change the tone of a novel. You know how in some regions, you need to hear the dialects?
Wetmore gives us real, flawed, honest women, like Corrine: she revealed how she felt upon becoming a mother, that she wanted/needed to go back to work after her daughter's birth.
I review a book based on what it is, not on what it isn't. So while it starts off with the vicious attack of 14 year-old Gloria Ramirez, Valentine doesn't stay with her alone throughout. More of her story is told, but it's mainly about the women in Odessa, Texas. Kick ass women like Mary Rose, who refuses to cower to town pressure, which would be the easier & safer thing to do. Instead she supports & defends Gloria, because it's the right thing to do.
Themes of race, class, assault and justice make up Valentine, and strong female characters overcome.
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I look for narrators that have special character in their voice, and Cassandra Campbell and Jenna Lamia certainly have it! Jenna Lamia's Mary Beth reminded me of Ruth on Ozark. So lyrical is Jenna Lamia's voice, I searched for other books she's narrated. I will be listening to Valentine again, and I 👏🏼can't 👏🏼recommend 👏🏼it 👏🏼enough.
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It's because of these ladies talent at bringing Wetmore's wonderful writing to life, and giving me such a memorable experience that is this story, that makes this awesome audio.

I received Valentine free from Audible. 

Until next time,
Kara