My Salvation by Michelle Dare

My Salvation by Michelle Dare

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately My Salvation ended up being just an okay read for me. The biggest hindrance to my enjoyment was that I never connected to either of the main characters. Right off the bat with the opening scene, Cali rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe if Ms. Dare had provided a bit more detail as to why Cali was quitting her job I would have been able to sympathize with the predicament she found herself in and connect with her. Without it – for me – the scene becomes quite stilted and Cali comes off a bit like she’s spoiled. As it stands, the scene feels contrived simply to set the stage for her to go the lake and ultimately reunite with Owen.

Once Cali heads home after joining the ranks of the unemployed, she decides that a trip to the lake house is just what she needs. That she learns after she arrives that she will be treated to the occasional glimpse of her neighbor while he’s shirtless is a major bonus. Even though the two haven’t seen each other in ten years and only shared a single kiss the night before she left for college, Owen has always been in love with her and decides that now is the time to let her know how he feels. The speed with which they embark upon their relationship was a bit too quick for my taste. Even though it’s been a decade since they last saw each other, Owen is ready to make a life with Cali almost immediately. A LOT can happen over ten years and 18 year-old Cali and 28 year-old Cali are not the same, yet Owen doesn’t care as long as he has her in his life. Add to this, romantic suspense elements that were so predictable that it was unbelievably frustrating when the characters didn’t figure it out until the actual reveal. Seriously?!?! Needless to say my enjoyment of the book just went downhill and continued to do so the more I read.

Typically I don’t comment on spelling, grammar, etc. in a review copy because I don’t always know if the copy I received is the final version or not. However, the errors, overuse of commas, awkward phrasing, incorrect use of past and present tense, and incorrect word use (affect vs. effect) kept pulling me out the story while reading. I can only hope that the copy I received was not the final version and the majority of the issues will be corrected before the masses receive it. I hate that I didn’t enjoy My Salvation more because it has a good premise, but the execution was lacking for me. This is one of those books that I recommend you download a sample of and decide for yourself; just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean you won’t love it.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the My Salvation by Michelle Dare blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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