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Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite
Soap Opera Digest by Stacy Thowe is the story of a woman whose past has cocooned her into believing that her best days were in the past and how that has affected her present life and relationships. Twenty-five years ago, Julia Melrose experienced the kind of love that seemed destined to last forever, but life had other plans and pulled those dreams apart. Now, a divorced mother of two, she is constantly re-evaluating the choices she made long ago. The voice of her beloved Ritchie calls her to reclaim the life she was meant to live. However, her daughter Lauren’s unexpected pregnancy, her son Bobby’s struggles with addiction, and her mother’s stroke make her want to pause in following her dreams. Her chance meeting with Andy at her workplace sparks a connection that makes her want to believe in love again. While standing at life’s crossroads, between the comfort of the known life and pursuing the long-lost dream, which path will Julia choose?
Stacy Thowe’s Soap Opera Digest is a contemporary romance about second chances, with a touch of the paranormal. Using a mix of detail-oriented narrative and inner monologues, Stacy Thowe draws us into the bittersweet portrait of Julia whose mental state seems to be a mix of nostalgia, regret, and mainly clinging to past dreams. Flashbacks are used effectively, giving a better understanding of Julia’s past and showing glimpses of her lost loves, especially the love she felt for Ritchie. You can make out the contrast between the youthful woman Julia once was to the lonely figure she now seems to be. The story unfolds at a slow pace, reflecting the theme of gradual healing and emotional introspection. This also allowed me to grasp the experiences of each character – whether it was Carmen’s humor and determination to get over her experience with stroke, Bobby’s struggle with addiction, or Julia’s affection for Andy. The appearance of Ritchie’s spirit provides a unique magical element, helping Julia get emotional release and closure from her past. Soap Opera Digest offers an unexpected sense of serendipity and fate throughout Julia and Andy’s story, making it an engaging read for fans of emotional, character-driven romances.
