The Interpretation of Love and the Truth by Barbara Winkes

 Sometimes, the best laid plans are not.
Chelsea and Gail are engaged to get married. Their relationship is safe, comfortable, and without conflict.
According to Tonya Gray, it also lacks the passion one should feel for the person you commit to for the rest of your life. Chelsea may not trust her because Tonya broke her heart three years ago. As the date nears, Chelsea has to figure out if love means what she has with her fiancée, or what she could have with the woman she cannot forget.

I love it when I’m immediately pulled into a story and want to know what’s going to happen. I especially enjoy it when the tale revolves around everyday people who are trying to live their lives to the fullest. When we met Chelsea and her fianceé Gail at a summer cocktail party being held by Gail’s rich family, there’s already a light undercurrent of unrest. Both women come across as smart, nice and attractive people. Should be a match made in heaven, right?

It depends on a person’s definition of heaven – hence the title. When Chelsea’s ex-lover, Tonya, shows back up in town three years after a brutal break-up, Chelsea is ready to crawl in a hole and pull a rock over her. The worst part? Gail and Tonya once had a brief fling and are still good friends – information Chelsea didn’t have until Tonya unexpectedly showed up in her home with Gail. Of course, Chelsea never revealed her interlude with Tonya to Gail either. I audibly groaned.

That was the best part of this book. I felt every gut-twisting, agonizing moment. Don’t let that turn you away from this very well-crafted story. I suffered right along with Chelsea because I’ve been through similar experiences, and the author was able to bring those feelings alive for me. I wanted for Chelsea what we all want for ourselves. The perfect solution tied up in a pretty pink bow with sprinkles on top. But life – and love – doesn’t work that way.

This is one of those books that you want all of your friends to read. You just need to experience it for yourself. I was lost in Chelsea’s life, her dilemmas and her gradual understanding of what ‘love’ and ‘forever’ meant for her. Because every person’s interpretation is different – all we can do is to find the one that works for us. I give this beautiful read 5 lizard claws.

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