Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for After the Prodigal Returned by Cassandre Brissot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
EXCERPT
Total chaos erupts on set; I don’t know who’s saying what. The questions are coming from everywhere. Everyone’s speaking over one another, wanting to know if what Beverly said is true. Like my castmates, this is the first time I hear this version of events, although it doesn’t surprise me. Amy, the producer who disliked me probably as much as Beverly, promised something like this would happen if I walked out on the competition. Actually, I’m impressed they were able to put together such a credible story. It was a stroke of brilliance on their part.
Beverly revealed I suffered from panic attacks during week three. The judges were concerned I wouldn’t be able to deal with the pressures of the industry. According to the producers, my apparent hostility, violent outburst, and sudden departure proved I couldn’t. The groundwork was laid long before I left the competition. All they had to do was pour the cement.
I look past Aiden and Cashmere at Beverly; she’s the picture of unbothered. To her credit, she doesn’t give anything away. She was able to maliciously answer Ileyana’s question without appearing to be so. It’s the best acting she’s ever done.
I could just let it go, take the high road, but I’m not in a let-it-go kind of mood. I sit up taller in my seat, blood simmering.
“Leah,” Brice whispers behind me, his voice a plea to exercise restraint. I appreciate his concern, but my mind’s made up. He’s not talking me out of this.
“Actually, I left because I discovered the show was rigged. Beverly was going to win no matter what.”
MY REVIEW
After the Prodigal Returned is a sequel to Six Years and a Quarter Way Through, a novel that I did not get to read before I began reading this book. Although the author did a wonderful job of getting you caught up on what happened in the first book, I think reading this book would be more impactful if I would’ve read the prequel first, as it seems to pick up where the first book left off. It did take me a bit to get my bearings, but a few chapters in I was good.
Leah is in utter turmoil after her stint on Star Quality, a reality television show that she was hoping would kick start her career, but all it’s done is left her broken. Her engagement to the executive producer is over, and her relationship with one of the other contestants is complicated to say the least. When she’s called back to do a reunion show, the only reason she shows up is because she’s contractually obligated to, but this push is just what she needs to get some closure, no matter how hard that may be.
The whole reality tv thing has never been something that interests me. I love tension but the drama that is portrayed on those shows is a little too much, and I felt that resistance as I read After the Prodigal Returned. Being in first person, from Leah’s perspective, there is a lot of inner dialogue, which helps those of us who haven’t read the first book in the series, but with this perspective comes a lot of mindless repetition and inner turmoil. I found myself skimming over multiple moments where Leah is again ruminating about Brice or Trent to get to the next part, which would also be filled with drama.
Though the premise was pretty interesting, I found myself bogged down several times with pace, even the drama not saving certain parts. I do appreciate Leah’s journey, knowing how hard it is to come back to your faith when you’ve strayed so far away, but I wish I had someone like Brice in my corner. That man is a rock, his faith and love for Leah is apparent, and having someone in your corner like that, especially amid those circumstances, is so inspiring.
There is an active message throughout that doesn’t feel forced, but still speaks volumes. Though there were things I didn’t care for in After the Prodigal Returned, there is also a lot about this story that fastened to my heart, making me ponder my own life, and reminding me how weighted my choices are, how easy it is to stray, and how it’s never too late to come home.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cassandre Brissot is a Brooklyn, NY native. She earned her bachelor of fine arts in television and radio production at the City University of New York Brooklyn College. Cassandre is the author of Six Years and A Quarter Way Through. When she’s not writing for her blog, she enjoys dance parties with her nieces.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a copy of Six Years and a Quarter Way Through, a copy of After The Prodigal Returned, and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 31, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 7, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read through Kindle Unlimited for JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
I enjoyed the excerpt and After the Prodigal Returned sounds like a very enjoyable read, thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Only By Grace, for sharing your review! Have a fantastic day!
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your review!- JustRead Tours
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I'd love to read both books!
ReplyDelete