Official Review: The Necklace II by Linda S. Rice

debo9967 · Post by **debo9967** » 17 Nov 2016, 22:46

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Necklace II" by Linda S. Rice.]

3 out of 4 stars

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The Necklace II: Back to Brighton by Linda S. Rice is a book in the sub-genre of time travel romance. This is the second book in the Necklace series. It follows Susan’s second trip back in time to retrieve something she had left behind.

Susan’s last foray into the past in her seventeen year-old body had revealed two things: one, that her dream James was very different from the real version and the reality paled in comparison to her successful marriage of several decades; and second, that she cannot be trusted near James in her seventeen year-old body with its overactive hormones. Now five months since her and Lynn’s adventure, Susan still finds it difficult to forget James, despite the fact that she got over her fifty years long crush on him.

She contacts Mika, who sent her back to 1962 the last time, and comes to know that the reason for her distress is that she left her ballerina necklace behind. As long as James still wears that necklace around his neck, he will not forget her. To end this connection unintentionally forged between them and to completely rid herself of James, Susan makes another journey back to 1962, this time accompanied by her close friend John, to keep her from getting into trouble. But trouble is exactly what awaits her in the past.

The first thing that impressed me about the book was the author’s writing style that completely enveloped the reader in the book. The fact that I felt emotionally invested in the novel, is all due to the author’s superb writing skills. The second thing that I enjoyed was how the author appreciated the complexity of love. This novel is a story about love, or rather, something resembling love; it is not a love story (at least not yet). The book explores this all-consuming passion, which is more often than not unreasonable and irrational.

Coming to the plot, the book continues the story from where Susan left James to return to her present life with renewed vigor. Unfortunately, she still carries the baggage of her relationship with James from the past, in her own words, "He (James) was like cancer, eating away at her peace”. This time around, though Susan is clear about her goal, she sees no harm in dallying with James to satisfy her desires. James, too, is delighted with the rekindling of their relationship for the same reasons as last time and there is no visible change in his conservative mindset. However, this time the book delves deeper into the question of physical and sexual abuse, which is fueled by possessiveness and a horrible blurring of boundaries between a lover and an “obedient slave”.

Coming to character development, in this book there is a thoughtless, selfish side displayed by Susan’s character, where she thinks of her own enjoyment, without considering its impact on others. On the other hand, she puts up with injury to her self-respect as she thinks that it is only a matter of seven days. Susan is not the only perplexing character, as James gives equally confusing signals of being both authoritative and caring. John and Kiyoko are two new characters in this installment, and theirs is actually a love story crossing the barrier of time. John’s character is probably the most likable character in this book, with his sensibility and reserve.

The only frustrating bit about this sequel was that it was repetitive in some portions, where almost exact scenes seem to be lifted from the first novel with a slight change of setting. Apart from this there is nothing much to dislike in this installment, and the author packs up a few interesting twists, especially in the climax, to keep the readers hooked to the series. Readers who haven’t read the previous installment won’t feel disconnected, and those who have read the last one, should definitely continue this unconventional journey to finding true love. I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.

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The Necklace II
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Kdonegan91 · Post by **Kdonegan91** » 20 Nov 2016, 03:12

Wow! What a thorough and professionally written review! I am certainly interested in this book. Could I read this book by itself or would I need to read the first novel to understand this one?

debo9967 · Post by **debo9967** » 21 Nov 2016, 01:24

Thanks! You can read this book by itself, the author makes all the needed connections with the first one.

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 26 Nov 2016, 03:21

Seems like an engaging read. Nice review!

debo9967 · Post by **debo9967** » 26 Nov 2016, 22:36

Thanks!

kimmyschemy06 · Post by **kimmyschemy06** » 30 Nov 2016, 09:18

Sounds like an exciting and intriguing book, with time travel and all. Though I'm not much into romance novels, I like 'rekindling of old flames' kind of story and this seems like one book I would enjoy. Great job on the review.