4 out of 4 stars
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If you get bucked off the horse, you need to get back on. It’s a fitting mantra for the protagonist in Tell Me When It Hurts by Christine M. Whitehead. Archer Loh has it all: a great job, a loving husband and a beautiful daughter. No one would ever suspect that Archer was once trained as a government assassin and chose to give it all up to settle down with her husband. When tragedy strikes, Archer abandons the remains of her life and swears to deal out justice for people who have experienced loss like she has. As Archer builds a secretive and solitary life, she finds ways to cope with what she has gone through, but she never really heals and doesn’t want to. Connor McCall is the last thing she expected or wanted to enter her life, but as Connor and Archer grow closer, everything Archer thinks she knows about the life she believes she now deserves changes drastically, and she must discover if she really believes in second chances.
This novel is truly a gem. The plot is thoughtful and eventful. The pacing of the plot is perfect; it’s not too fast or too slow, and everything has just the right amount of detail. As I read, I never found myself wanting to “just get through” a section. I reveled in every page of this book. Flashbacks are a great device, and the use of flashbacks is a true asset to this plot. They allow readers to discover answers they need in order to understand the motives of each character, and they will definitely help readers to better understand why Archer is the way she is.
The dialogue is quick-witted and clever. Also, it builds a strong intimacy between characters. Dialogue can sometimes seem forced or awkward in literature, but in this novel, it is smooth and seamless, which makes it extremely easy to fall right into the novel. The one part I loved most was Archer explaining her loss and heartbreak. As I read that part, I had to step away to grab some tissues. I was so moved by the words spoken by the character. The dialogue is sure to entrance all readers.
The characters are all wonderful. The protagonist, Archer, is easy to love, and readers will feel sympathetic toward her immediately. Everything about her character is realistic and believable. Her reaction to her own loss and heartbreak is one most people can relate to. I had to keep reminding myself that this book is a work of fiction because I really kept forgetting that Archer is not a real person. Connor is just as lovely as Archer. He comes with his own small baggage, but his character compliments Archer’s character marvelously. Readers will root for these two characters the whole way through.
I give Tell Me When It Hurts by Christine M. Whitehead 4 out of 4 stars. The message, characters, dialogue and plot all make this novel a 4 star delight. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever struggled with loss and to anyone who has known someone who has experienced loss, for this novel serves as a reminder that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that second chances are always possible. I look forward to reading many more books by Christine M. Whitehead.
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Tell Me When It Hurts
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