A Question of Sincerity by Sabrina Blaum is a one-of-a-kind, age gap, contemporary romance about finding love with the person you least expect.
Claudia Khoury is blown away when she finds out that her fun-rebound is not only married but married to her new boss, her honesty is the best policy attitude helps dictate her next course of action.
Elizabeth Lancaster is content with her life. She works hard for her charity, has a good marriage, and enjoys spending time with her cat. She’s unprepared for the curveball that her new employee throws her.
Claudia’s revelations rip through Elizabeth’s life like a destructive hurricane and leave behind the ability to close one door to open another. After a collision that leaves them with more questions than answers, the two find themselves forming an unlikely friendship. In the end, they must decide how to move forward and what role the other will play in their lives.
Writing
A Question of Sincerity is a spin-off of Sabrina Blaum’s Constellation series but this book is definitely a standalone because the characters are only mentioned in one line in the last book.
Sabrina Blaum has written a truly engaging story with an out-of-the-box plotline that gripped me from the first page. I was swept away by Elizabeth and Claudia’s story and I had a difficult time putting the book down. The dialogue is engaging and witty and their theories on insanity, impeccable taste, overuse of the word indeed, and the appropriate flavor of gelato are highly entertaining. Claudia’s metaphor about grief is so accurate and brought tears to my eyes. Also, the elements are foreshadowing really help to enhance the overall plot. Due to the nature of the plotline, this story could have turned dark and angsty but the author did a lovely job of keeping it positive. It’s emotional and raw with an underlying theme of hope.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Claudia’s positivity, compassion, earnestness, loyalty, and idealism are important elements of her character. She’s one of the most likable characters I’ve come across in a while. I appreciate how she’s able to handle everything thrown her way with maturity and levelheadedness.
On the outside, Elizabeth has the potential to be icy, but as the head of Helping Hands charity, it’s clear that she is a compassionate soul whose goal is the help people in need. Her ability to adapt to circumstances beyond her control shows what a strong and resilient person she is.
Elizabeth and Claudia are at two completely different life stages, social and financial statuses. Their shared history with Tom should make a friendship between them a no-go but Claudia’s charm and sweetness make it impossible for Elizabeth to stay away.
A friendship between Claudia and Elizabeth shouldn’t work (in theory) but these two women are able to effectively communicate, like adults, and through that communication, learn about one another. The transition from hurt and animosity (on Elzabeth’s part) is handled with care and the transition into friendship is so natural that I didn’t even question it. The time that is spent on their friendship development is one of my favorite parts of this book.
Glacial slow burns tend to put me off, but here it is so exquisitely paced. The author made a good choice in taking the added time to develop their friendship in order to give Claudia and Elizabeth the time to come to terms with the new developments in their situation. Bravo Sabrina Blaum!
Heads Up
The main theme of this book revolves around cheating but neither main character does the cheating.
The Conclusion
I’m a sucker for an age gap romance and A Question of Sincerity doesn’t disappoint. The story’s unique plot drew me in and Sabrina Blaum’s brilliant writing held me captive until the last page. The characters are dynamic and likable, the dialogue is engaging, and the storyline is superbly detailed with some added surprises. I highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for a super slow burn without a lot of drama and angst that will make you chuckle and swoon.
Excerpt from A Question of Sincerity by Sabrina Blaum
“Hello, Claudia. How are you settling in? I’m sure Tilda helped you adjust.” She strode inside, taking in a somewhat ruffled looking Claudia. Strands of her long black hair had come loose from her bun. She seemed tense, uncertain, with her wide brown eyes and the tight grip with which she’d seized a folder as her gaze darted around the room.
“Ms. Lancaster, hello. Yes, she did. Ms. Swan has been very thorough. It’s just… It’s going to take me a moment to get used to this. It’s quite different from my previous employment.” Claudia rose and stepped around her desk toward Elizabeth, who’d nodded but remained silent. “Is there something you need?”
Elizabeth’s gaze traveled up Claudia’s lanky form, dressed in a severe looking black pantsuit. It stood at odds with the bubbly, almost gregarious woman she’d met during their interview. In fact, for a second there, she’d reminded Elizabeth of a puppy. She supposed first day jitters could do that to a person.
“No, no. I merely meant to ensure you’re all set. This is an important position, and I need you at your best. Our patrons depend on our advice, given that by the time they reach us, their legal situation is often precarious.”
“I understand. I’ve studied the information you’d sent. I’m ready. You won’t need to worry.” Claudia straightened, and with that, her attitude once again matched the woman Elizabeth had hired.
“That’s good to know.” Perhaps the boss checking in on you before you got to do anything wasn’t an encouraging sign to employees. Then again, Claudia would do well to get used to Elizabeth’s tendency to micromanage and be involved in all aspects of her charity. “I’ll leave you to it, then. Tilda will answer any of your questions, although you may also seek my advice if you deem it applicable.”
Claudia nodded. “Of course. I just wanted to say, I’m really excited to be working here. Helping people.”
And there was the puppy. Elizabeth was a cat person through and through, so she startled upon realizing that the smile wanting to form on her lips was almost fond. She suppressed it, but held Claudia’s open gaze. “You’re in the right business, then.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1961771017
Publisher: Indie Author
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