{"id":2582,"date":"2016-04-22T00:00:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-21T22:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/?p=2582"},"modified":"2023-06-13T18:19:38","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T16:19:38","slug":"maybe-next-time-karin-kallmaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/maybe-next-time-karin-kallmaker\/","title":{"rendered":"Maybe Next Time by Karin Kallmaker : Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Maybe<\/a><\/p>\n

Maybe Next Time by Karin Kallmaker\u00a0<\/strong>is a novel filled with yearning and loss and the poor decisions of youth.<\/p>\n

The story is about Sabrina Starling, a brilliant violinist whose relationship with the violin is often detrimental to her relathionships with the people around her and yet it is the only way that she feels she can truly express herself.<\/p>\n

The story swtiches between Sabrina in the present as she is travelling home for a funeral, and her memories of her childhood and the only woman who has even broken her heart, her first love, Jorie.<\/p>\n

The journey is often painful and sad but so worth going on. Kallmaker rolled up her sleaves for this one and takes us right to the edge of an overwhemling pain, loss and heartbreak and then guides us right back again to a happy ending. If there is one thing I can guarantee with this book it is that you will feel a lot while reading it.<\/p>\n

The Writing Style<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kallmaker wrote a single point of view novel. Everything is seen through Sabrina\u2019s lens. Every moment is experienced from her point of view and this means that we are relying on Sabrina\u2019s ability to grow and to learn in order to move the story forward. This is not an easy technique to master, especially when your story consists of an inner journey filled with memories and replayed moments. I wasn\u2019t worried, though, because it is a Kallmaker after all and that woman has some serious writing chops.<\/p>\n

Kallmaker\u2019s research for this book was brilliant as she immerses us in the Hawaiian culture of family and home and then in the classical music culture of excellence and money. The juxtaposing worlds resonate deeply as the perfect setting for the conflict that occurs within Sabrina.<\/p>\n

The Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a beautifully written story. It is not a traditional romance, even though most of the story revolves around a romance between Sabrina and Jorie.<\/p>\n

It does have a happy ending and it is completely unique.\u00a0You won\u2019t read a novel like this every day.<\/p>\n

The Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t expect a traditional romance. It is not that. It is a book of self-discovery and of learning to be okay with yourself and thereby learning to let love in.<\/p>\n

I would also say that while it has a happy ending I wasn\u2019t able to linger quite long enough in that happy moment before the book ended, especially after such a tortured journey.<\/p>\n

The Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Maybe Next Time by Karin Kallmaker is a\u00a0brilliant book. I loved every moment of it. It tormented me as I read and I felt every painful moment as if it were my own.<\/p>\n

If you want something that is deeper than that traditional romance then this is your book. If you enjoy reading about women who overcome their pain then this is for you. If you want something that is so beautifully written that it is almost painful, then get this book.<\/p>\n

Excerpt from Maybe Next Time by Karin Kallmaker<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cMs. Starling, you\u2019ve got six claim checks, but I\u2019ve only got five bags. What\u2019s missing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bree stared fixedly at the skycap but could still see the bag in question out of the corner of her eye, circling on the baggage claim conveyor. The violin case was soon going to be the only unclaimed item.<\/p>\n

Walk away, she told herself. It\u2019s that easy.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d never checked her instrument through the regular baggage service before, but this time she had hoped for fate\u2019s intervention. Luggage went missing all the time. Items could be crushed beyond recognition. But the violin had survived. Even the fates wouldn\u2019t take pity on her, not that there was any reason that they should.<\/p>\n

She could have left it behind, she told herself. It would be as easy as, say, leaving her skin behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d The round face split into a wide smile. \u201cThe violin, of course. I\u2019ll take good care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He held it out, but she gestured at the cart. She would not touch it herself. If she didn\u2019t touch it she could pretend the pain wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

PS This beginning made it onto my top 10 book beginnings list<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Get this book from Amazon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"amazon<\/a> \"amazon<\/a> \"amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bits and Bobs<\/strong><\/h3>\n