"A genuine gem of a read and a strong start to James’ Barwell trilogy"

• ASIN: ‎ B0BSH9PVBS
• Publisher: ‎ Barwell Press; 0 edition (16 Jan. 2023)
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 310 pages
• Genre:  Women’s Sagas

The BookViral Review:

An intensely fascinating read where we quickly come to understand who the characters are and what their lives are like Rude Awakening proves a fine start to James’ Barwell Trilogy series.

Unfortunately. far too many novels in the Women’s Sagas sub genre simply enact narrative rituals; we already know the broad strokes of the plot because it’s not original and we simply wait for variations but James does well to avoid this and is uncanny in her ability to rope us in and get us wondering, what if?

Much of Rude Awakening reflects daily life in suburbia and the dialogue throughout James’ novel does so much more than simply exist to push along the plot with James quick to capture the way we really think and talk in various situations. 

On this level there’s an understated audacity to the way she writes, so cleverly handling her narrative that we must always be vigilant for subtle changes in tone with few writers so adept at capturing the emotions of their characters. 

Through Hilary, James guides us through the tragic arc of loss and how it must feel to disappear before one’s own eyes. She weaves an overwhelmingly authentic and intriguing narrative that’s truly immersive and creates a powerful sense of presence with her characters and settings coming to life without succumbing to pitiful clichés.

Rude Awakening is first and foremost Hilary’s story but it couldn’t come to life if she lived in a vacuum therefore James invites us to peer closely at those around her so we come to know them as individuals as opposed to bit players in Hilary’s life. Each chapter conveying something tangible as the confines of Hilary’s life crumble in the face of a startling revelation with the fragility of life an ever-constant reminder to seize pivotal moments before they pass lest we come to regret their passing. 

A genuine gem of a read and a strong start to James’ Barwell trilogy Rude Awakening is highly recommended.