REVIEW: When Least Expected by Allison B. Hanson

When Least Expected by Allison B. Hanson: After struggling for two years to have a baby, Ian leaves Alexis. Six months later they’re reunited when Ian’s uncle dies, leaving his cabin to the two of them. They go to the cabin to figure out how to divide the property, only to have to face their unresolved feelings.

I felt for Alexis. She felt like a failure and a disappointment to Ian because she wasn’t able to conceive. Even after six months apart, her feelings for Ian never died. I wished that she put more blame of the failed marriage on Ian, because that’s where it belonged.

It’s not too often that I completely dislike a character in a story, but I did with Ian. They had agreed to go to marriage counseling, and instead he goes to a lawyer, has separation papers drawn up, then leaves them on the counter and leaves while she’s at work. Then instead of trying to work things out like Alexis wanted, he has divorce papers drawn up. A week after the divorce is finalized he already has another girlfriend. And why did he do all this? Because he was tired of seeing Alexis hurt. What he did was only add to the pain she was in for feeling like a failure.

Ian’s wishy-washy. He wants to tell Alexis how he really feels multiple times, yet each time he comes up with an excuse not to. They hook up at the cabin and a week or so after they return, Alexis sent him a text. He wanted to respond but didn’t, which once again made her feel bad.

I was happy Alexis finally got her happy ending, but I really wished it wasn’t with Ian. She deserved better than the way he treated her. Through it all, he never even really gave her an acceptable apology for everything he put her through.

The concept of the story and the writing were good (although it read a bit choppy at times), but Ian really took away from it. His back and forth and his poor excuses were just too much. He tried to redeem himself towards the end, but at that point it was too little too late for me.
 

Book Info:

Publication: September 1, 2015 | Lyrical Shine | Blue Ridge Romance #1

Alexis Montgomery thought her marriage was fine. Sure, they were going through hard times, struggling to get pregnant—but she and Ian had chemistry, friendship, and love. Or so she thought, until she found the separation agreement waiting for her on the countertop.

Ian Montgomery feels like life is spinning out of his control. He’s got a new girlfriend, even if he can’t remember why he’s supposed to want one. His family clearly likes his ex-wife more than they like him. And then he inherits the romantic family cabin in the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, where he and Alexis honeymooned. Or rather, they both inherit it. Together.

A weekend alone with fresh air and fresh wounds seems like the worst thing that could happen to an ex-couple trying to keep it civil. But life is full of surprises—and Ian and Alexis are in for a big one…