Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer (Review by Sarah Doherty)
Rating: 4/5*
Before I Let You Go tells the complicated story of sisters Lexie and Annie Vidler. Lexie is the level-headed and successful one; she has a great job as a doctor, a fabulous and caring fiancé, and a beautiful home. When she gets a call at 2 a.m. from her younger sister Annie, a drug addict who has lost control over her life, she braces herself for the worst. After 2 years of not hearing from Annie, this time it is worse than ever: Annie has found herself pregnant and unable to come off the drugs, the baby’s father is in jail and she is living in his worn-down trailer, hopeless and alone. Will Lexie be able to save Annie and her baby this time?
The story unfolds between Lexie’s present tense viewpoint and Annie’s journal entries, which put together pieces of their past. I really liked being able to read both points of view and it led to greater understanding of and compassion for Annie’s character. While Lexie has definitely been guilty of enabling Annie’s behavior in the past, it is clear that she loves her sister fiercely and would do anything for her. The character I really had trouble identifying with and understanding was their mother, she made many decisions for her girls that, in my mind, were entirely unforgivable and it was painful to watch it all unfold.
That said, this story was very well written and I found myself feeling all of the feelings as I watched Lexie and Annie move through this painful point in their lives. Definitely GBC-approved!
Review by Sarah Doherty