The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (Picked up ARC at BEA13)
Wren:
Wren Gray cannot remember a time in her life where she did something simply because she want to, just because it would make her happy. Instead, she has spent the past eighteen years please everyone else around her. That’s why she originally agreed to attend Emory, the college in which her mother works. That’s why she also agreed to pursue a career in medicine, even though she really doesn’t want to.
What Wren wants is to make a difference, not only in her own life but in other’s lives too. That’s why she joined Project Unity – a volunteer program that will allow Wren to travel to Guatemala to teach young children how to read. Too bad her parents do not agree nor do they approve of her decision.
Charlie:
Charlie Parker has always known exactly what he’s wanted out of his life.
Charlie has wanted a family to call his own. He longs for people to love and care for. He longs to have people love and care for him. And he seems to have found that with his foster family, even if he has a hard time openly admitting that. But that’s not the only thing Charlie wants.
Charlie wants Wren Gray. Since their first meeting, Charlie has only had eyes for his classmate. She’s smart, beautiful, and doesn’t seem to know or realize that she possesses these qualities. Charlie knows that Wren is out of his league, but that doesn’t stop him for making a move on her.
Wren & Charlie:
It seems that their love has been written in the stars, as if Wren and Charlie were meant to be together for the long haul. But when life and love throw a curve ball at the two young lovers, will Wren and Charlie’s relationship prove to be as solid as they believe?
The Infinite Moment of Us, the latest novel written by author Lauren Myracle, is a contemporary romance fizzles more than sizzles.
The Infinite Moment of Us had the potential of being this smart, epic book full of magic and romance. It had the potential of being the kind of book that readers could easily be swept away in. But it was lacking. While Myracle’s writing was solid, the overall plot line seemed to flatline for me. I found that this simple story was just too simple. Without any real tension, it felt as if nothing really happened within the three-hundred plus pages. Instead I found a smattering of drama sprinkled here and there. Drama, that I found to be, out of place and generally unnecessary.
Where the plot lacked I had hoped the characters would not. But my hopes were not fulfilled. Both main characters – Wren and Charlie – felt stiff and underdeveloped. Because of that, I felt that as a reader I really could get to know, to understand them. Ultimately I couldn’t relate to either one.
Leading lady Wren had a wishy-washy personality that was just downright annoying. She wants to change the world, yet she can barely change her own life. She knows exactly what she wants, but apologizes incessantly for wanting it. Charlie, Wren’s male counterpart was no better. He loved Wren, but so easily ran back to ex-fling Starrla. He trusted her, but not enough to fully disclose the details of his imperfect life.
Beyond this, I wanted Wren and Charlie to be smart. I wanted them to be the kind of character that weren’t only honest, but also realistic. Without getting into too much detail, when Wren and Charlie decide that the time is right, Wren decides that it’s right that their first time should be unprotected. In today’s world, that’s just not smart.
Myracle’s The Infinite Moment of Us isn’t just a coming of age story. It’s a story of two young people, in love, and coming into their own sexual identities. Myracle’s handling of the subject matter is upfront and raw. She explores all the emotions and feelings both physical and mental – with honesty.
This book is an extremely read-able book. Despite the often too slow pace, I found that I couldn’t pull myself away from it. I lend that to Myracle’s writing style. Regardless of it’s read-ability and Myracle’s catchy writing style, The Infinite Moment of Us just fell short for me. And I hate admitting that.
Even though this book wasn’t for me, I encourage all of you, dear readers to pick it up and read it! And when you’re finished, let’s discuss!
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