Six Months is a romantic and dramatic work of women’s fiction by author Mona Sedrak. Written in a very intriguing style, the action of the novel takes place in increments of six months, centering around the main character, Mikala Jacobson. Once upon a time, Mikala had an ideal life with a beautiful little daughter and a loving husband, but sometimes fate can be cruel. After the devastating loss of both her daughter and husband, Mikala has to face some even more devastating truths surrounding the circumstances of both deaths. With friends by her side, this is a tale of a woman learning to heal and finding new love in a world of darkness.

Mona Sedrak has really hit the nail on the head with this pinnacle of dramatic fiction. The premise of the novel is incredible and exciting in itself, but the emotional journey which follows it is sure to suck readers in and take them along for a devastating but ultimately positive and heartwarming ride. The prose is fluid and lively, full of descriptions which create a great emotional atmosphere around Mikala, Rena and Jake, and the plot is well crafted to reveal chunks of interest without ever overloading any scene. I loved the increment style; it’s really refreshing to read something so stylistically advanced, breathing life into an old genre. Molly’s tragic tale was particularly shocking and provocative, whilst also very sad, and I found it inspiring to follow Mikala through her process of dealing with such hard truths. Overall, Six Months is a highly recommended read.

Mikala was a mother, and when that label was prematurely stolen from her, she no longer knew who she was. She had promised to catch her daughter, hold her, protect her. She had failed. The most important and trusted role in her daughter's life, and she had failed. Molly had been five, a baby, she had barely begun to live. Without her, without the cherished title of mother, Mikala no longer knew who she was, and with her husband, David, retreating into a world of sorrow and guilt, she felt more lost and alone than ever. But when tragedy struck a second time, she feared she might never recover. Those around her watch as she loses herself, and try everything within their means to help her survive the losses she must overcome.

Six Months by Mona Sedrak is a stirring emotional rollercoaster filled with pure and undiluted emotion. There were times when what I read was so moving, so overwhelming, that all I wanted to do was go into my son’s bedroom and hold him. More than once I was moved to tears. Mona Sedrak can write grief and tragedy like a professional, and with equal measure she can write growing romance and hope. Jake and Mikala are brilliant characters, well developed, and by no means lacking in growth. Their vivid personalities are rich and deep and will stay with you for some time.

Watching their story as it alternates from one third person perspective to the other brings the reader in up close and personal. You’ll cry, you’ll smile, and you’ll share the joy and grief, and join the struggle. A beautiful romance born from tragedy, and the road to the end is anything but easy for either of them. Grab a box of tissues and a cup of tea, because you’re not going to want to put this book down. While it tugged at my heart strings, it also made its way onto my very selective list of books to which I attribute the words "highly recommended."