Better Than Expected by Haley Cass is a companion novel to Cass’s novel When You Least Expect It.
Hannah Dalton’s life has not been easy. Many situations in her life have been thrust upon her and being the strong woman she is, she makes it all work. Her daughter, Abbie, is the most important person in her life, and her choice to leave her emotionally abusive and cheating husband leaves her starting from scratch. Hannah asks Caroline Parker, to represent her in the divorce. Caroline used to work with Hannah’s husband and his hatred for Caroline makes her the best possible lawyer to represent Hannah. What Hannah never expects is to become so close with Caroline after the divorce and when her feelings begin to turn romantic, her carefully constructed walls begin to tumble.
Writing
I’m so incredibly glad that Haley Cass wrote this companion novel because When You Least Expect It was written only from Caroline’s point of view. I didn’t realize I needed more from Hannah and Caroline until I read this book’s synopsis.
In Better Than Expected readers are granted access to Hannah’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions. We’re able to learn about her background in order to understand the choices she makes for herself and for her daughter. Being privy to not only her revelations but her realizations is so important to fully understanding who Hannah is as a person. The story moves quickly but is no less impactful and I hung on every word.
Narration
Lori Prince absolutely nailed the narration. The way she was able to convey, with such emotion, Haley Cass’s heartbreakingly beautiful words is really special. I could literally feel Hannah’s anguish during several key points during this story and I found myself tearing up as she completely bared her soul to Caroline.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I loved absolutely everything about this novel; the dialogue, descriptions, and the love Hannah and Caroline share for one another and for Hannah’s daughter, Abbie. It’s heartwarming, romantic, and simply wonderful!
Heads Up
I recommend reading When You Least Expect It before, during, or after this book so that you get the full picture.
The Conclusion
If you are a fan of When You Least Expect It, then you definitely need to read Better Than Expected because it is the perfect accompaniment to the original story. Haley Cass’s brilliant writing paired with Lori Prince’s stellar narration make this a book that is not to be missed. You will laugh, cry, smile, and swoon!
Excerpt from Better Than Expected by Haley Cass
Still, she stepped forward, intending to take a breather and make the call when she saw the woman at the refreshment table that was home to Hannah’s cookies.
She’d been pretty displeased with the way Michael had essentially tossed them aside without even a look at the caterers. And many of the women he wanted her to socialize with weren’t going to eat those cookies, anyway, it was true.
This woman was, though. She was eating one, with two others on a little plate. And unlike a lot of the other women here, she wasn’t in a dress; she was wearing an impeccably tailored red suit.
It fit her perfectly, highlighting shapely hips and a chest much more generous than Hannah’s own.
It was her face that caught Hannah’s attention, though. Sometimes, Hannah got hit with the itch to draw – usually, admittedly, it was an urge to draw architecture. If she was outside in nature and saw something gripping, she itched to draw that, too. She rarely wanted to draw people.
But this woman’s face was absolutely striking.
She was very pretty, yes, but it was the sharp lines on her face that made Hannah feel like it would be perfect to draw. Sharp cheekbones, a small, sloped nose, and perfectly arched eyebrows. The symmetry of her was… enthralling.
Offset by a dark freckle under her left eye and the dimple next to her mouth on the right side.
Sharp lines, perfect symmetry, but offset just enough to be interesting.
Without conscious thought, she walked over to her, wanting just a closer look at her face, before she found herself next to the woman.
Striking, Hannah thought again, pleased that this face was even more aesthetically enjoyable up close. There was a little crinkle on her cheek, right next to that dimple, visible here. Yeah, she really wanted to draw that.
It was only when she realized how close she stood that she cursed herself. She had nothing actually to say and now… Hannah opened her mouth but – damningly – had none of the words to strike up a conversation.
“Are you enjoying those?” Was what finally escaped her mouth when she was able to latch onto something.
The woman spun to face her, eyes widening as she started coughing, choking on the bite of the cookie she’d just taken. The small smile Hannah had felt playing on her lips dropped at the reaction and she uselessly fluttered her hands in front of her before she interlocked her fingers to make herself stop looking like a total idiot as the coughing came to an end.
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8360556480
Publisher: Indie Author
Audiobook Publisher: Tantor Audio
Narrator: Lori Prince
Runtime: 4 hours and 11 minutes
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