Years have passed since Alice lost her mother to cancer, but time hasn't quite healed the wound. Alice copes the best she can by writing her music, losing herself in her love for her boyfriend, and distancing herself from her father and his new wife.
But when a deadly snowstorm traps Alice with her stepmother and newborn half sister, she'll face issues she's been avoiding for too long. As Alice looks to the heavens for guidance, she discovers something wonderful.
Being my introduction to this author, I am a bit disappointed. Far From You wasn't the emotional read that I was anticipating, but I think that's mostly my fault since I really struggle to connect to any story that primarily focuses on a baby. I was hoping that this book would be written in a way where that wouldn't matter and would capture me anyway, but sadly it didn't. I did enjoy it though. I liked Alice almost immediately despite her bratty attitude. She's lost her mom to cancer, and her father has remarried and had a baby with his new wife. Alice essentially wants nothing to do with her stepmom and half-sister (emphasis on the half), and I do think this would have been my reaction at her age, but for different reasons. Then she has a fight with her best friend because Claire thinks the songs she writes are too sad and got someone else to make music for their church. She also denies her boyfriend sex, but he says he'll wait for her to be ready. It's like everyone is moving forward in life but her.
While I did enjoy getting to know Alice, where Far From You really picks up is when Alice, her stepmom Victoria, and baby Ivy get stuck on the side of the road and snowed into the car. There are some survivalist elements added to the story as they have very little food, water, or other supplies. This situation also forces Victoria and Alice to get to know each other better, and Alice has a chance to bond with Ivy as they try to keep her fed and warm. I'll admit I was more invested in the survival side of this part of the book rather than the emotional part. I also wish something more would have happened at the end, rather than just the happy family ending. As it is though, Far From You is a good story, but it didn't grab at my heart like I hoped.
