My take on: Like a Fly on the Wall

For a while I was staring at a blank screen. I wasn't sure how to describe Like a Fly on the Wall by Simone Kelly. It's a book with a lot of different themes: romance, suspense, family drama, and mysticism. In my opinion, there isn't really a plot. I don't say that as a bad thing. The lack of a traditional plot works here and let me tell you why!

The characters and how they interact are what make this book work. Jacques Berradi is a good-looking and intelligent man--with a unique talent. Ever since he was young, Jacques could communicate with spirits/spirit guides, which help him see the future. His robust list of clients pay him to guide them down the right path to personal and professional success. But despite his professional achievements, Jacques' mother refuses to believe in her son's connection to the spirit world. To her, it's just a bunch of nonsense. Ever since his father died, under suspicious circumstances, Jacques has been trying to convince his mother that his father speaks to him. However, she refuses to believe in Jacques' gift, instead she chooses to ignore it. On the flip side Jacques' brother, Hicham, believes in his older brother. While Jacques is the calming influence on the family, Hicham is like a hurricane. He hops from girlfriend to girlfriend. His moods change from minute to minute. As a character, Hicham was exhausting. I would hate to have a sibling like that!

In Jacques' professional endeavors, he meets all kinds of clients. The beautiful and bubbly Kylie Collins is a client like no other. While Jacques has a girlfriend, named Vicky, he is instantly drawn to Kylie. There's an instant emotional connection between them. Early on in the book, it seemed like Kylie and Jacques were headed toward a romantic relationship. But (spoiler alert) that doesn't happen and I'm sooo glad. I think that would have been a big mistake. Kylie and Jacques have way more chemistry as friends than as lovers. Jacques helps Kylie get to the root of her mother, True's, secrets and to find her purpose in life. Kylie helps Jacques get to the root of his family's secrets. Making them more than friends would have cheapened the overall book. Romance just for the sake of romance doesn't make for a good story.

For a debut novel, this was pretty good. Some of the storylines were left unfinished, I think that's because this is clearly the first book in a series. There's more to come. I definitely want to know what happens to Jacques and Kylie in the next book.

Rating: Superb

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (William Morrow) as part of a blog tour with TLC Book Tours.