Source: J. Thomas of The Long and the Short of It
Date: 07/09/2010

Parker Shane returned from Vietnam a war hero and a lady's man. Darlene Moore thinks Parker is trouble from the beginning but there was no denying his magnetism.

When the Bough Breaks begins with Darlene still in high school and continues into her twenties. Darlene was an interested character to follow through these four years of her life. She's smart with a sweet naivety about her yet she remains realistic. Secrets abound around her and a single occurrence in her young life shapes the course of her future.

Parker is the epitome of the bad boy down to the clothes he wears, the company he keeps and the car he drives--at least so he appears. There is something about him that draws Darlene to him yet there are things that continue to keep them apart.

This book starts as an interesting character novel but about halfway through it switches gears into a mystery with a gentle romance spiraled within it. The second half is quite different from the first and as a reader you aren't quite sure what's going on but the 'feel' and tone make you feel like the world has turned upside down and I suppose for the young heroine it had.

The book takes place over several years. We get to see important scenes (very specific moments in time) that carry the story, but it can be a little jarring jumping from one time to the next. However, the author had her purpose in setting the groundwork for where the plot would ultimately take us.

Miss Mae sure how's how to tell a story. It's labeled YA but really it can be enjoyed by a reader of any age. Her writing style is great. I couldn't believe how easily I got wrapped up in this story. At the end of every chapter I had to keep on and read a little bit more. It was a really enjoyable read and I believe for people who grew up in this generation they will appreciate the descriptions, clothing and language of the period.

An emotion-filled story companioned with exquisite writing made When the Bough Breaks one fantastic read.