52 Weeks, 52 Books: Week 30

I'm not sure why I acquired this week's book; on the surface and from title alone, you might think it's chick lit and I'm not really a chick lit kind of girl. But, boy am I glad I gave it a chance.

Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos really captured my attention and my imagination.  Beautifully written, each chapter alternates in point of view: Cornelia a 30something cafe manager and Claire an 11 year old abandoned by her mother.  The two cross paths when Claire shows up with her father, Martin, who is dating Cornelia.

This book is not about romance although there is a little of it in that, mostly it's about the friendship that forms between this woman and an unwanted child. It's about Cornelia's desire to save this child.  It's heartbreaking to read the sections where Claire's mother is getting sick, become more and more delusional until finally she puts her out on the side of the road and drives away.

The strength that Claire has is evident in the lists she makes to remind herself what to do so that the outside world doesn't notice what is happening. From ordering groceries to be delivered and paying the bills, to forging signatures on school paperwork and sending out Christmas cards from her mother.

Cornelia on the other hand, puts on a brave face as she realizes that she doesn't love Martin. She could never love a man who had so little to do with his own child that he had no idea what was happening but she can't bring herself to leave as she feels that Claire would once again be abandoned.

In the end, after several twists and turns, and another huge loss, Claire's mother returns after seeking medical help. Some of how the story plays out seems highly improbable, yet because of how drawn in I was by these characters, that didn't bother me as much as it usually would.  Like I said, I'm glad I gave this one a chance.