Victoria Falls by B.J. Hill

 

(This is book 2 of the Natural Wonder Series. It is recommended to start with book 1:Northern Lights for character introductions and continuity from book to book)

 

  Contemporary Romance is a book genre that has filled the shelves for many years. So one has to wonder - what sets a book or series apart? What makes it stand out and “live rent free in your head”? It is with these thoughts that I review Victoria Falls.

 

  Victoria Falls is a love story that follows the travails of Tori (Victoria) and Leo. Tori is coming out of a failed marriage and Leo is a divorcee. Leo has a love'm and leave'm attitude. No emotional strings or commitments for Leo.

 

  Tori meets and works for Leo at a college. After their initial interaction, it becomes glaringly obvious that Leo operates from a place of deep seated resentment and anger towards women; especially separated or divorced women. We have Tori coming to grips with a failed marriage juxtaposed against Leo's inherent bias and prejudices: which sets up inevitable confrontations and encounters. Which prove to be painful, playful and hilarious at times.

 

  Tori has to face the repercussions of her decision to stay way to long in a failed and abusive marriage. And we have Leo who lives in a “world construct” of emotional self-denial and isolation. All of which, ultimately were the decisions of these main characters. Life is nothing but a series of decisions. And how one reacts to the decisions are at the heart of this story.

 

  We get to see the self-healing power of love and friendships with these main characters. We get to see how the friends hold each other accountable for their actions and decisions. It is a journey of self realization and self-empowerment. We get to see and experience their feelings. It is gritty and real.

 

  Nothing is easy about divorce. As Tori finds out during her divorce. The painful realizations. Dealing with a emotionally and intellectually abusive soon to be ex-husband. The continuous onslaught of verbal assaults over “her supposed inability to have children”. The list is endless. But all is laid bare for the world to see in this book.

 

  We see Leo deal with the ramifications of his inherent prejudices and anger towards women. We get to see why Leo feels the way he does. I love that Leo has no choice but to finally deal with his issues. Because his verbal repartee and attraction to Tori does not go away. It only deepens over time.

 

  Life is a series of decisions, both big and small. We get to see the decisions that Tori and Leo make. And in it's beautiful, rewarding and messy way - it ends up in a loving ending. Leo's decisions are both hilarious and misguided. This provides comic relief at just the right moments and breaks the tension. There is witty conversation and warm moments. There also are sexy moments. I will never look at a copier the same way again.(nor do I think of washing machines the same way).

 

  So what sets Victoria Falls apart? I like to think of it as- gritty feminine realism. It is packed with emotional moments that will cut straight through to your soul. It will make you laugh and clench your fist.

 

  This is feminine power coupled with “a velvet glove of redemption”. That there's always hope that things will get better. That you can overcome adversity. You can become a better version of yourself. There is soft power in self-realization and action. It can propel you into contentment and love. Whether you are a man or woman.

 

  The point of literature in all its forms is to make you feel something. In Victoria Falls you will feel real gritty emotions. It will hit home with it's sheer emotional impact. You will grow to love the intellect and witty banter between the main characters. Not to mention the side characters. This is a story that you cannot help but be engaged in.

 

  So be unafraid and read Victoria Falls. Let the charm, witty banter, gritty realism and love carry you away. I for one can't wait for Book 3!!!!