An accidental meeting and a misunderstanding lead to a life-altering connection.
Word Count: 55,872
These books are linked by theme or world. They are independent and can be read in any order.
.
I love Cardeno C.'s writing and I usually end up with a massive smile after being swept away by gorgeous writing and a romance that makes your heart sing and sweeps you along with the characters. This was no exception: beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this was certainly a beauty in more ways than one.
Who knew that Isaac was sweet, kind and so vulnerable where Rafi was concerned. Seeing these two men together and seeing them working on understanding their past was a delight for me. To go on their journey with them I ended up adoring Isaac and was rooting for him to have his chance.
Cardeno visits Emile City again! And I couldn't be happier. In this short story we meet Rafi and Isaac. In school, Isaac tormented Rafi mercilessly. Suddenly he shows up in Emile City and acting as though he and Rafi were friends. Rafi is offended that Isaac would dream of coming near him again, after all he put him through. Isaac is kinda stalkerish scary but you know what? It totally works for me. The whole plot of the story makes sense, and I found myself hoping that Rafi wouldn't dismiss a chance at happiness, especially after Isaac comes clean about what he's doing in Emile City.... Cardeno knows how to pull my heartstrings and does it very well.
There are not many books that can get to me in so few pages, it takes a very talented author to make 80 pages feel like 300. This is a very creative twist to It's a Wonderful Life and I enjoyed the unique timeline shifts in the story. Shiloh and Travis are two very likeable characters and it didn't take me long to become invested in their lives. This will be a holiday story that I will read every year if for no other reason than to remind myself how important the choices we make in life are to so many people. If you like your holiday stories short and beautifully emotional than In Another Life should be in your library!
Cardeno C. has managed to put all the qualities of a full length novel: characters, storyline, betrayal, even murder, into a beautiful little package. Then Cardeno added a bow at the end just to make it extra special. All of Me is my first book by this author, but it will not be my last.