My take on: Trance of Insignificance

"Once again, was God giving her a sign? Where Noah couldn't comprehend the world Jules was from, Jack had lived it. Jack knew all about simple, hard-working people stuck in a cycle of emotional abuse and self-neglect. Families so buried in generations of the 'way things are,' that just like Noah's ivy league and caviar coated reality, they are blinded to life in any other form. Could she live a life always wanting to erase the dysfunction of where she came from? Or did she need to be with someone who could share her pain?" Pg. 85-86

Do you go with what is familiar to you? Or do you try a new path? In Trance of Insignificance by Jennifer Rainville, Jules Duvil is at a crossroads in her personal life. Does she continue her relationship and marriage with clean-cut Noah or give into to Jack -- the man who has hurt more than once.

Jules has worked her way out of her working class neighborhood in Boston, and made her way to New York. She followed her dream of becoming a reporter, but the road to that dream was full of obstacles. The main obstacle being Jack. Jules starts at the bottom rung of the newsroom, while Jack is the handsome station anchor. Some magnetic force draws them together, but it's a mistake from the start. Jack is all about Jack.

Chances to advance her career are met with resistance -- and downright sabotage by Jack. Jules has a chance to scoop the New York market on a big political story. She seeks Jack's advice on how to break it. He plays the supportive boyfriend, offering suggestions even. But the next day uses the exclusive for his network. Does he love her? I think not. If someone truly loves you, they wouldn't try to sabotage your career. Nothing about their relationship screamed love. It was more destructive than anything. He struggles with alcohol and monogamy. His character just screamed, "JERK!"

Years pass before Jack and Jules meet again. She has moved on from a professional and personal standpoint. Her novel is about to released, and she has supportive circle of friends. Jack is married with a kid. As much as Jules doesn't want to get sucked back in, she does. I'm thinking, "Why? Why?" Perhaps it's because every failed relationship since traces back to Jack. The novel opens with Jules and Noah breaking up, but they find their back to each other. They get married, but reading it you can tell there is something missing. Noah seems very boring, no spark to him. He's an Ivy League grad, he goes to work, goes to the Hamptions and that's about it. While being a bit of a jerk, Jack has something over Noah. He truly understands how far Jules has come from the rough streets of Boston.

Jules wants to be better than her dysfunctional upbringing. A mother who blames Jules for the problems in her life. A mother who tells lies to fit her version of the truth. An absentee father and an erratic brother are also what Jules has to deal with. Jack understood that, but can Noah? But like her mother, Jack also tells lies to fit his version of the truth.

Life imitated art with this one. Author Jennifer Rainville was once a reporter. A lot of her professional experiences are reflected in the book. If there is one caveat, it's the timeline. I used to books with a linear timeline, but this one jumps back and forth. Sometimes it was little hard to keep track. The ending was a mix of sadness and hope for Jules' future. There are a lot things people can relate to in this book. Professionally, who hasn't gone through the trials and tribulations of being the new kid on the block? At least once in your life, you will wonder about the one that got away. Has that person changed enough for you? Have you changed? What kind of future can you have?  Is it worth it to try again with that person? Give this one a read.

Rating: Superb

Notes: I received a copy of the book from author Jennifer Rainville in exchange for an honest review.