Play It Again, Sam

As only an occasional reader of romance fiction, Maryann Miller kept my interest on each page with believable characters and terrific dialogue. The plot was suspenseful, yet realistic. Real things happening to real people in interesting ways. Good stuff. Ms. Miller knows how people speak and probes the depths of how we feel in situations of divorce and starting over.

By TT reviewer Chere Gruver [full review on our website]Samantha, or Sam, as she prefers to be called, is about to have her life turned upside down. Her husband comes home from work that day to tell her that he has decided to move out and wants a divorce. John won't even talk to her about it. He tells her that he is unhappy while he is packing a suitcase. A few days later, Sam finds herself walking out of the courthouse a divorced woman. Sam's life as a corporate wife is now over. After 25 years of marriage, Sam finds herself at loose ends. The first person Sam decides to call is Margaret, her old friend. Margaret tells Sam that there is probably a bimbo involved somewhere. Sam calls her son and tells him what she can about the situation. Eric is very supportive and offers to have Sam live with him. Sam decides to put off telling her daughter for tonight. A little while later, Melissa calls Sam and wants to know why she forced her father out of her life. Melissa is under the mistaken belief that the divorce is all Sam's fault.Sam decides to go visit Margaret in Houston. Margaret is single and the same age as Sam. They went to college together. Margaret finally talks Sam into going back to college to get her degree. She offers Sam a place to stay while in school. Since Sam doesn't really know what she wants to do with life, the idea intrigues her and she decides to go for it wholeheartedly. Sam goes back home, sells her house and moves in with Margaret.Frank lost his wife to cancer. Unfortunately, she was also an alcoholic. Frank had finally talked her into going for help when the cancer was discovered. Frank moved out to Houston after his wife died. His son and his family are still back east. Frank and Sam meet. They feel an immediate attraction for each other. Sam gets a job through Margaret with an ad agency. Frank is one of the agency's clients. They actually meet Sam's first day on the job, when Frank comes in to see one of the account executives. Sam and Frank begin dating.Will Melissa ever forgive Sam for the divorce? Will Sam ever become independent and able to rely on herself? What will happen between Sam and Frank? How well will Sam do in school and in her career choice?This was a very moving and touching book about how one woman rebuilds her life after the dissolution of her 25-year marriage. Her fears and successes are all very real. I especially enjoyed watching Sam flounder her way through a relationship with Frank after being married for 25 years. I loved seeing Sam grow into a independent woman, in charge of every aspect of her own life, from her career to her love life to her relationship with her two grown children. This is a book that every divorced woman can relate to and I can definitely recommend it for any age woman.

Even the title hints at it...this is a book you are going to want to enjoy again and again. Maryann has one of the strongest literary voices in contemporary fiction today. My suggestion: Buy this book...and every work of fiction she writes!

"Play It Again, Sam" is a charming, insightful, well-written novel. Sam Rutgers, its main character, finds strength she never knew she had and a freedom she never knew she wanted while wending her way through the unexpected obstacle course that life has placed before her. I found myself rooting for her as I would for a friend or sister and relating to her as a woman with a world of choices--if only she can muster the courage. It was a smooth, fun read--thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend it.