Ruby and Sal
I am honored to receive this wonderful review from Reader's Favorite.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Ruby and Sal by Jane O'Brien is the first book in The Unforgettables
series, gripping and utterly fascinating. Encouraged by her friend,
Ivy starts writing the story of her great-grandmother, Ruby, a
woman who lived to be 102 years old. Now, the author is
transported into the life and experiences of her great-grandmother,
living through the challenging times of the Great Depression in the
1920s and the 1930s. What follows is a tale of hardship and
romance. It is interesting to notice the historical elements of the
period within which this story is set. This is a novel that will capture
the hearts of fans of women's fiction and historical novels as well as
those who love romance. A story that connects two lives in a
mysterious way — one ebbing and another budding!
The story starts in the nursing home, with Ivy feeling feverish with
quickened breathing, trying to calm her nerves. The author
captures her mood and feelings every time she visits the place. I
found it to be a very interesting way to open a story that is
emotionally and psychologically intense. The characters, especially
the heroine of the story, are well-developed and readers will enjoy
watching them evolve against a memorable background. Jane
O'Brien has a unique gift for setting and the ability to blend
political, historical, and cultural elements into the story in a way
that makes it cinematic, feeding readers vivid images. Ruby and Sal
is a satisfactory read, indeed. You won’t find it easy putting it down.
