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Book Review of The Hellion

The Hellion
The Hellion
Author: LaVyrle Spencer
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
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Tommy Lee Gentry and Rachel Talmadge share a past. Twenty Four years ago, they were neighbors, best friends, and lovers. But when Rachel finds out she is pregnant, her father sent her away to have the baby and give it up for adoption. Tommy Lee and Rachel lived separate lives until now. Rachel's husband has died and Tommy Lee starts visiting her. He tells Rachel he has never stopped loving her. But his reputation for wild women and booze stops her from getting involved with him again. She warns him that his lifestyle is a problem. Can he change his life to win the woman he loves?

LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors, but this story just didn't work for me. I had a hard time believing that a budding alcoholic could just give up drinking and other bad habits at the drop of the hat with no outside help and no slips in his recovery. And, even though I liked the ending, I felt it was too neat. All family problems were resolved and everyone was happy. I like Spencer's style of writing. She always keeps me glued to the page. It just felt too fake to me. My rating: 3 Stars.