Review: "Loving Maddie from A to Z" by Kelly Jamieson
Note: This ARC was provided by RockStar Lit PR in exchange for an honest review.
Zack, Aidan, and Maddie were the best of friends in college, but when Zack moves away after graduation and barely keeps in contact with either of them, the friendship is in a seemingly permanent state of limbo. Zack goes on to become an award-winning photojournalist, Aidan founds a prestigious architecture and design collective, and Maddie a public relations specialist for a well-known philanthropy group.
Aidan and Maddie begin dating and fall in love with each other, now engaged in a years-long relationship. They're still madly in love but have reached an impasse of sorts in the bedroom, and while they do try to experiment, it feels as if something's missing. Neither of them are ready to talk about their apprehensions openly, afraid of how the other will take it and what it may ultimately mean for their relationship.
When news of Zack's kidnapping in Syria spreads all over the media, Aidan and Maddie are shocked but bolster together and do their best to make sure everything's being done to get Zack back home to the U.S. Finally freed from his captors, Zack heads to Chicago upon the invitation of his two best friends, but so much has changed over seven years and dealing with those changes be the true test of their friendship.
Loving Maddie from A to Z is a standalone novel from Kelly Jamieson, whose previous novel, Three of Hearts, I simply adored. The theme of a threesome is a familiar, though not exclusive, one for those who have read the author's other books and one that I've always considered fascinating. After all, having more than two people in a relationship is often thought of as merely being about sex but Ms. Jamieson makes sure that it isn't just about that here or in the other book that I read. You can tell that the characters always have a lot invested in the relationship because the risks are so much greater for each one of them.
There's already history among Zack, Aidan, and Maddie, one that's based on friendship, but the development of that friendship into something more, whether it be sexual or romantic, isn't a simple one. Zack left without nary an explanation after college graduation and kept his distance even after he decided to take Aidan and Maddie up on their invitation to stay with them after his release from captivity. I do think, though, that there's much more emotional involvement between Aidan and Zack, and maybe it's because they've known each other longer, but of course, this is purely my opinion and I could be wrong.
I liked both Zack and Aidan and while Maddie was likable, I found her less interesting than the two men in her life. If I could change one thing about the novel, it would be the title, going simply with "Loving Zack" because he was the catalyst of change in the story and the one who the story was centered on. Other than that, I enjoyed the overall story of three friends who loved and accepted one another in the way they knew best and not caring what the rest of the world may think. This was an ARC so I'm not going to comment on the editing and hoping that all will be fixed before the release. Loving Maddie from A to Z gets 4.5 stars. ♥
Release Date: 07 April 2015 04 April 2015 (released early!)
Date Read: 07 April 2015
Learn more about Kelly Jamieson here.
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