Giving Up the Dream by J.L. Campbell

Giving Up the Dream Reviews

• 
  Wendy Ewurum

  Love, honour and obey. In a perfect life, these promises are easy to keep. When faced with spousal betrayal, idealistic oaths take a back seat. Justine Charles made the ultimate sacrifice for her dying husband. Will she rally after his death or be forced to give up a final chance at happiness?
  
  MY READING EXPERIENCE
  Giving Up The Dream kept my heart in my throat from beginning to end. How many times I exclaimed in shock and wonder to myself I cannot count. It was like watching a piece of detail about someone’s life that makes you want to look away but you can’t because the scene before you has you in its grips. Everytime I decided it can’t get worse better then J.L adds another twist and I’m left thinking are these people for real. And the shocking thing is that they feel very real. I kept thinking oh please lord let not the spouse find this out. Can you imagine that, rooting for the philander (LOL).
  I also found myself thinking that this could actually be any circle of married friends dealing with life’s difficulties in ways that are inexcusable to society but at times find acceptance the individual's mind in times of hardship and darkness.
  I absolutely loved it, the entire short story work is so scandalous and riveting you can’t put it down. I can’t wait for the novel, Distraction that this publication is a summary of. Great job J.L, this is fantastic writing.
  Contraband
• 
  M. Pax

  I enjoy when an author introduces me to new experiences and perspectives. Not only was the short story great, but the added chapters at the end have me eagerly awaiting the release of J.L. Campbell's upcoming novel.
• 
  Medeia Sharif

  Justine is a widow. Shortly after her husband Milton passes away, she spots her former lover Xavier at the funeral. Her heart churns, because she still has feelings for him. The story then goes back in time to when Milton was alive. Justine and Xavier have undeniable chemistry, but she’s tied down with a husband and child. Her husband is insipid, stirring no passion in her, and he can also be cruel. Justine hides her affair, but she’s not the only one keeping secrets.
  
  The characterization was amazing. I felt Justine’s mood swing from guilt to lust to love to wistfulness as she leads an unfulfilling, dishonest life. I connected with the characters and wanted to stay with them. J.L. is also a mistress of tension and plot. GIVING UP THE DREAM was just as engrossing as a soap opera, without the cheesy melodrama. This was a page turner that left me wanting more.
  
  Merged review:
  
  Justine is a widow. Shortly after her husband Milton passes away, she spots her former lover Xavier at the funeral. Her heart churns, because she still has feelings for him. The story then goes back in time to when Milton was alive. Justine and Xavier have undeniable chemistry, but she’s tied down with a husband and child. Her husband is insipid, stirring no passion in her, and he can also be cruel. Justine hides her affair, but she’s not the only one keeping secrets.
  
  The characterization was amazing. I felt Justine’s mood swing from guilt to lust to love to wistfulness as she leads an unfulfilling, dishonest life. I connected with the characters and wanted to stay with them. J.L. is also a mistress of tension and plot. GIVING UP THE DREAM was just as engrossing as a soap opera, without the cheesy melodrama. This was a page turner that left me wanting more.
• 
  Beverly Diehl

  Nice little short story - as a freebie, we certainly get our bang for the buck, BUT... it left me wanting much, much more.
  
  J.L. is an incredibly talented writer and I so look forward to reading her other works. (Luckily, she HAS more available.)
• 
  Ann

  I really enjoyed the honesty of the characters in this short story. They are real people with real relationships. Love, marriage, and sex are not always easy and often coupes find bumps in the road in at least one of these areas and from these incidents secrets, mistrust, and guilt are born.
  
  Also, I enjoyed the Jamaican author and am very glad she choose to have her cast of characters live in her Jamaica as well.
  I'm off to find Distraction so I can find out the whole story on these three ladies.
• 
  Kim

  An ok quick read.
• 
  Cecile Matthews

  It was short. Nice book