The Opposite of Everyone - Joshilyn Jackson

October 17, 2016

The Opposite of Everyone - Joshilyn Jackson

4 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -
A fiercely independent divorce lawyer learns the power of family and connection when she receives a cryptic message from her estranged mother in this bittersweet, witty novel from the nationally bestselling author of Someone Else’s Love Story and gods in Alabama—an emotionally resonant tale about the endurance of love and the power of stories to shape and transform our lives.

Born in Alabama, Paula Vauss spent the first decade of her life on the road with her free-spirited young mother, Kai, an itinerant storyteller who blended Hindu mythology with southern oral tradition to re-invent their history as they roved. But everything, including Paula’s birth name Kali Jai, changed when she told a story of her own—one that landed Kai in prison and Paula in foster care. Separated, each holding secrets of her own, the intense bond they once shared was fractured.

These days, Paula has reincarnated herself as a tough-as-nails divorce attorney with a successful practice in Atlanta. While she hasn’t seen Kai in fifteen years, she’s still making payments on that Karmic debt—until the day her last check is returned in the mail, along with a mysterious note: “I am going on a journey, Kali. I am going back to my beginning; death is not the end. You will be the end. We will meet again, and there will be new stories. You know how Karma works.”

Then Kai’s most treasured secret literally lands on Paula’s doorstep, throwing her life into chaos and transforming her from only child to older sister. Desperate to find her mother before it’s too late, Paula sets off on a journey of discovery that will take her back to the past and into the deepest recesses of her heart. With the help of her ex-lover Birdwine, an intrepid and emotionally volatile private eye who still carries a torch for her, this brilliant woman, an expert at wrecking families, now has to figure out how to put one back together—her own.

The Opposite of Everyone is a story about story itself, how the tales we tell connect us, break us, and define us, and how the endings and beginnings we choose can destroy us . . . and make us whole. Laced with sharp humor and poignant insight, it is beloved New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson at her very best.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Joshilyn Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of six previous novels, including gods in Alabama, A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, and Someone Else’s Love Story. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages. A former actor, she is also an award-winning audiobook narrator. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her husband and their two children.

Connect with her through her Website, Facebook, or Twitter.

MY THOUGHTS -
Well first of all - I have been dying to read another Joshilyn Jackson book because I am a huge fan of hers! After reading The Opposite of Everyone... I am a fan all over again! Between Georgia is my favorite by her, but this was still very good!

I loved how this story had a little (a lot, actually) of suspense to it with trying to find information on her family. I really like reading books about lawyers. That's probably one of my favorite characters to read about. And I liked how, even through all the "family issues" Paula was dealing with, there was also a couple of "cases" she was working on.

Very good character development. I liked Paula and Birdwine, but I think my favorite was Julian (I can't tell you who he is because it would ruin the story!).

This is just such a wonderful story, especially if you have a divided family. There were a few years where I didn't see my sister, talk to her, or even know where she was, Also there was about 20 yrs that I was missing my father! He was in the Marine's overseas and I lost contact with him. We eventually found each other and it was wonderful! We are very close today! So, having gone through all that I could really relate to this story. I knew what Paula was feeling and understand what she was going through.

But - even if you have always been close to your family (you're lucky!) you will still enjoy this one very much - its just a great read period!

Thank you Harper Collins and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for my honest review!