Olivay is a fast and engaging read with an action-packed plot (and some bizarre love rectangles). This was a delightful transit commute read - short chapters and easy to pick up after neglecting the book for a few days.

Olivay watched her husband die before her eyes in a traumatic motorcycle hit and run, and finds herself the unwanted center of media attention in the months that follow. Henry, a journalist, makes attempts to woo her, which gradually work and lead them to Olivay's bed. A series of explosions, possibly terrorist attacks, rattle the city and trap them both in Olivay's home. Olivay begins to doubt her initial trust of Henry after finding out about his past and her dead husband's past, and tension builds between the two.

The ending is unbelievable (in the way that cassette tapes and VHS tapes were infuriating when the magnetic tape suddenly snapped, mid-emotion, ruining the whole tape and never to be repaired again).

(this review written based on a goodreads first reads selection.) ( )

--I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review—

Olivay is a woman who was widowed when her husband died in a terrible accident. Because of the large amount of media coverage about her husband’s death, Olivay became a bit of a recluse while she coped with her depression. One day, she met a man named Henry, who she takes back to her place and spends the night together with. The next day, multiple bombs are set off through the city, leaving them temporarily trapped together in her apartment. Henry’s odd reactions to the chaotic event leads Olivay to wonder who this stranger actually is and is he maybe had some part in it.

I’ve very conflicted about how I feel about this book. It’s quite different then the books I’ve been reading lately, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I do agree with some other reviews I’ve read that point out you’re either going to love this book or hate it. It was a dark story, full of sadness and loss that was portrayed fairly well. Even though the time frame of the story was over the period of a few days, I found some parts to be a bit slow.

I found it to be a good read, but it’s not something I would really go out of my way to recommend. ( )

Olivay’s husband’s death was a tragedy. As she sat cradling Will’s broken head in her lap on the Los Angeles street, the video images of that moment went viral. People began comparing her to Jackie Kennedy. One year after the accident, she meets Henry. They instantly seem attracted to each other to the point she takes him home to her loft where he spends the night with her. Olivay’s world is about to collide with disaster again. The next morning, Henry leaves for his work at the Tribune, the same paper for which Will worked. It’s the day of the LA Marathon. Only an hour or two after Henry leaves, he returns and must see her. No sooner than she lets him up, an explosion rocks the city and there’s utter chaos everywhere. The windows in her apartment shatter throwing glass and debris everywhere. Her knee becomes badly injured.

Who is Henry anyway? Why did he manage to just show up at this time in Olivay’s life? The reader initially wants to like him, yet it doesn’t take long to realize there’s reason for caution here.

The opener blew me away! It held the promise of everything I hoped for. Olivay has closely guarded secrets for which the reader feels like they need to listen a little harder. They are unspoken hints of a marriage that was not quite what it appeared to be. Initially, this story really gripped my full attention. However, after the bombing, logistics kept getting in the way. Much of the destruction was described very well. But, some begged to differ with reality. The streets were flooded because two bombs busted two water mains. But yet a few hours into the chaos, she’s talking to Henry about getting her car which was in the “lot beneath the building.” Wouldn’t the car be flooded? Then too, the blast caused the windows to blow. So, they spend a couple of days in an apartment with a gaping hole where windows used to be. Also, maybe there are a few people who would enjoy a good ‘Woo Hoo’ at this time, but I honestly think sex would be the furthest thing from my mind at this point. Rating: 3 out of 5. ( )