Review: When We Collide by A.L. Jackson
SYNOPSIS: 
William has spent six years running from his past and the last eight months trying to rid his mind of the dreams that increasingly haunt his nights. Trapped in a world of false ambitions and feigned affections, William knows he’s reached a breaking point and something’s going to give.
Maggie had lived her entire life without hope until one man showed her what it meant to be loved. He’d been her light in a lifetime of darkness. Six years ago, that darkness stole him away. Without him, she’s surrendered herself to an existence she doesn’t know how to escape.
When the family William left behind is struck by tragedy, he is called back to the one place he’s sworn to never return to again. In a moment that will change his life forever, William comes face to face with the girl who, with one look, captured his heart. He is unable to ignore the buried desires and the hope for the future they’d once believed they’d have.
Now William is ready to fight to take back what had been stolen from him six years before. But he never imagined what that fight might cost him.
A.L. Jackson gives you an intimate look into the lives of a family bound by an unseen connection in this new contemporary romance.
REVIEW:
I wanted to love this book, I read so many reviews about how beautiful and amazing this book was, but it just didn’t do it for me. It pains me to write this review but let me tell you why I didn’t enjoy this book and you can determine for yourself if you want to read it (the following may contain spoilers).
First, I thought Maggie was weak and stupid. Maggie comes from an abused home and then enters and remains in an abusive relationship. I found her un-relateable and frustrating beyond reason. I couldn’t relate to her, and numerous times I found myself asking why doesn’t she seek help, why doesn’t she try to escape, why doesn’t she do the right thing, why does she chose to be miserable? She was a pity party who pushed anyone who could/would help away.
Secondly, I don’t believe that you can disappear for six years and just magically comes back to your hometown, leave your job and life in the city and remain in love with the person you left six years ago?! This is not relatable or realistic and I didn’t like that at all. People change and grow and for Maggie and William they were frozen in time and then poof, head over heels in love even though you know nothing about the characters.
Finally, I find it hard to believe that no one would try to intervene in a small town when an abusive household is common knowledge. I am from a small town and if something like that got out, it would spread like wild fire throughout the town and someone or something would have happened and changed.
For these reasons, in addition to some minor other details, I did not enjoy this book. In regards to A.L. Jackson, the wording, synopsis, and cover were winners. They were beautiful and she is a lovely author but this story just fell so flat for me.
