AWRW Book Review: Meredith Against The Wind, by Author Amanda Gale

In a Washington, DC suburb of Virginia, Meredith meets Wes Bickhart, a charismatic attorney recovering from a divorce. Wes sweeps her off her feet with his wit, charm, and chivalry, and together they enjoy a passion for intellectual banter and for each other.

Meredith feels safe with Wes, who having been burned himself, is also seeking the perfect love and wants nothing more than to give her a future of comfort and security. She is tempted by the seemingly perfect life Wes offers her. But in the back of her mind, she wonders if this is what she wants anymore. And the longer she takes to decide, the more she realizes that this life might require her to sacrifice more of herself than she is willing.

In Meredith Against the Wind, Meredith is put to the test as she is forced to stand up for herself, even as she redefines who she really is. Harder now but stronger, and with new perspective, she becomes embroiled in a power struggle as she determines how much is worth surrendering for love.

About The Meredith Series:

Meredith Beck, a teacher from Philadelphia, must redefine herself after she is shaken by tragedy. The series chronicles the remaking of her life and her relationships with three men, each struggling with his own journey. Carrying her experiences with her, Meredith emerges stronger, wiser, and at peace as she discovers the beauty of an imperfect world.

Book 1: Meredith Out of the Darkness
Book 2: Meredith Against the Wind
Book 3: Meredith Into the Fire
Book 4: Meredith With the Waves

Paperback, 306 pages

Published July 4th 2014 by Brenda & Cobena Books (first published July 3rd 2014)

Genre: Women’s Fiction

What’s It About?

Meredith moves to Lovelace, Virginia to begin her life anew, and hopefully recover from her breakup with her boyfriend, Nick. Instantly, her neighbors embrace her and play matchmaker, setting her up with a newly divorced attorney, Wes, who lives across the street from her.

Immediately, she is charmed by him, much like everyone else in the neighborhood, but she soon learns that insecurity and a need to control is hidden under his shiny, pristine exterior. Meredith’s future and free will are at stake, all in the name of “love”.

My Thoughts:

Oh my God! I LOVE Meredith! I am going to be seriously depressed when I finish this series!

But anyways, in my last review I pondered whether or not Meredith might have border line personality disorder. I thought this because of how she clung to her boyfriend Nick. I can now definitely say she does not, based on her actions and behavior in the second novel. Her confidence spiked, she stood up for herself against mean spirited teenagers, an undermining boss, and a boyfriend who was interested in a cookie-cutter girlfriend. I even pictured her walking a little straighter in this novel. 🙂

Wes certainly pushed the boundaries with Meredith. He slowly tested the waters, and continued to push her further and further past her comfort zone. His grip seemed to get tighter and tighter on her. Poor Meredith… she either has a boyfriend who pushes her away, or one who barely gives her any breathing room!

Another thing I really enjoyed in this novel was her interactions with her students and colleagues. I was excited to see what would happen next with Rosalie, and what complaint Nancy would have next. It added a little more drama to the book, and showed her life outside her romantic pursuits.

I loved Meredith Against The Wind, and enjoyed seeing her grow as a woman. I’m super curious to see what book 3 holds in store for Meredith!

Recommendation:

I would gladly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in a story that is based on a woman’s experiences. If you enjoy women’s fiction, you will surely enjoy the Meredith series.

Purchase:

Click here to purchase Meredith Against The Wind, Book 2 of the Meredith series!

Rating:

*** In the interest of full disclosure, I received a copy of Meredith Against The Wind, in exchange for a fair, thoughtful, and honest book review. This is no way swayed my rating.

About The Author:

A graduate of Vassar College and Boston University, Amanda Gale taught high school English before she began writing women’s fiction. The four novels of her *Meredith* series explore love, growth, and the flaws that make us human. A lover of history, classic literature, and quiet nights at home, she lives outside Philadelphia with her family.