Book Review: In Medias Res by Yolanda Wallace

Sydney Stanton realizes as she’s running through the airport that she doesn’t know where she’s running to. When she stops running, she doesn’t know who she is, where she’s going, or where she’s been. What she does know is that she has a ticket to Miami on flight due to depart now. On the plane, she begins the search for herself by going through the backpack she has with her. She quickly learns her name, her address in Chicago, her destination in Miami, and a few other bits of information. Over the next several days, she manages to recover more bits and pieces of her memory, including that she has a best friend, Jennifer, but not where she is.

Slowly, Wallace begins unfolding Sydney’s life. As Sydney’s memories begin seeping back into her head, Wallace picks up the pacing of the book as well. That’s not a good thing. The last chapters seemed rushed as if an approaching deadline was near. The first half or so of the book is all about Sydney. When Wallace begins introducing the other main character, the reader doesn’t get a sense of who she is, other than a doctor and a best friend. The book needed another 100 pages to sustain the “will-she-or-won’t-she get her memory back, to introduce Jennifer in depth, and to have Sydney’s actions explained. There were editorial gaffes, as well, that take the reader out of the story, a misspelled word, a misused word, etc.

This book will capture anyone’s attention from the opening page and the race through the airport. Having grabbed the reader on page one, it is unfortunate that by the last few chapters that grip slips and fails. That being said, this book is worth the price just to be able to read the first half of a fascinating premise that, while done elsewhere and to better effect, will still capture the reader as Sydney struggles to regain her memory.

Book Review: Rum Spring by Yolanda Wallace

Dylan Mahoney and Rebecca Lapp have been friends forever. That’s where their similarities end. Rebecca is Amish, Dylan is not. Dylan is gay, Rebecca is not and knows she’ll marry a local boy and have kids. Dylan is a film buff, Rebecca has never seen a film in her life. When Rebecca’s rumspringa, a four-year period when Amish teenagers determine whether they want to join the church or live in the “outside world,” comes around Rebecca agrees to spend weekends with Dylan and her parents. Dylan confesses her love to Rebecca, who can’t reciprocate. Dylan vows to convince Rebecca to give up her religion, her family, and her life in order to be with her. Rebecca chooses her family and her religion over Dylan, who then must get on with her life.

Unfortunately, Dylan seems unable to think about anything but what she wants. She doesn’t show any empathy for how hard it must be for Rebecca to choose between her family and religion to choose Dylan.

The book spans several years and the jumps between times were sometimes jarring taking a paragraph or two to realize we’d time traveled. Wallace tells us that Rebecca is conflicted about Dylan and what she wants, but the reader doesn’t “feel” it. In another context, Dylan would be seen as a bully or a control freak - wanting what she wants and expecting the object of her desire to succumb. The reader is told that Dylan loves Rebecca from an early age, but, at times, she seems a tad too obsessed with being with Rebecca. Wallace doesn’t give either character any depth, nevertheless each character is likable and the reader roots for each to make the right decision for her.

If you are fascinated by the Amish lifestyle, this book might be a good addition to your collection. If you want a story about young love thwarted, but winning out in the end, you’ll enjoy this book.