The Opposite of Never

Georgia, Yvonne and Linda are longtime friends and enjoy going on hikes together. They email or call each other most days. On one of their walks, they encounter Kenny and invite him to join in their hiking group. Zelda (Kenny’s step daughter) and Spencer (Yvonne’s son) fall in love and eventually rekindle a flame that started in high school. Zelda tests Kenny on many occasions through her drug abuse and rehab stints. Georgia is a recent widow and is tested by her daughter, Margot, who is one entitled gal. Thankfully Georgia’s two sons are there for her and support her. Georgia and Kenny keep their relationship friendly until they can no longer deny their feelings. Can their kids accept the fact that they are able to love again and give their parents a second chance at happiness?

“The Opposite of Never” is an interesting family drama that involves three different families. The characters are all well-described, and readers get pulled into the story learning about this small-town group and how they are connected. The chapters jump around to include many of the characters and at times they come across as being a bit choppy and hard to follow. The writing is done with great detail and paints vivid images; however, some parts are overly detailed when not necessary. The topics of drug addiction, rehab and losing family members are thoughtfully written. Although there is no real climax to this story, readers will have a front row seat inside these families’ lives and see how they move through pain and loss in their small Vermont town.

Viola Robins