Saturday, 21 December 2024

Some Other Way - Margot Johnson

 Jayne Jones’s life is full as surrogate aunt to her birth daughter, given up in open adoption five years ago, and as leader of the Adopt-a-Dog service. She yearns to expand the overcrowded dog shelter on a coveted piece of adjacent land. When Dr. Evan Scott, her high school crush, returns, he complicates everything by becoming her formidable opponent.

Back in his hometown to join a medical clinic that wants to expand onto the same property, Evan is ready to forget past hurts and embrace a fresh start with the cute girl—now attractive woman—he remembers. But should Jayne bare her heart to the good-looking newcomer? And will her secret change his mind?

My Review


Some Other Way is an unusual romance story. In many way the developing romance between Jayne and Evan is secondary to Jayne's past and her story. Jayne and Evan went to high school together, although they both seemed to have been attracted to one another back then, some unfortunate comments by Evan and the winning of a scholarship put an end to any chance of romance. Now, years later and back in one another's lives, the spark is more than still there.
This story deals with motherhood. Jayne has a complicated relationship with her own mother, who tries to be supportive, but comes off as insulting more than once. She has given her own daughter up for adoption, but remains in her life as an aunt figure. Then there is her daughters adoptive mum. These relationships are complex and I think all play a part in the developing romance between Evan and Jayne.
I enjoyed the way all of these things played out and were resolved as the story progressed. I did think that the winning of the scholarship should perhaps also have been addressed as there was some suggestion that perhaps Evan had copied an essay from Jayne, but that was never fully explored.
Alongside all of this is both Jayne and Evan wanting to use some land to expand the medical centre (in Evan's case) or Adopt-a-dog in Jayne's. I didn't fully buy this dilemma, I would have thought in reality the whole thing would come down to funding.
This was an interesting and thoughtful read that dealt with some fairly big issues in a sensitive way. Even though there was potential here for upset and discord between Evan and Jayne, Evan was the kind of character that was able to handle it all maturely and supportively.
This was the kind of read that left you with a smile on your face.

Author Bio


Margot Johnson writes feel-good, romantic stories about women who chase their dreams and find love along the way.

She is the author of six romances--the novels SOME OTHER WAY, LOVE TAKES FLIGHT and LOVE LEADS THE WAY and three novellas in the Merilee Tours series--LET IT SNOWBALL, LET IT MELT, and LET IT SIMMER. Her characters can't possibly find their happy endings...or can they?

Before turning her focus to the fun writing life, Margot held leadership roles in human resources and communications. When not writing, she loves to connect with family and friends, volunteer with SK Writers Guild, and walk at least 10,000 steps a day (except when it's minus 40 outside!)

She lives in the Canadian prairies with her husband.





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