Review: "Finding Lucas" by Samatha Stroh Bailey

Jamie Ross is finally ready to find herself. After spending five years of her life with a man more concerned about social climbing and status than her happiness, Jamie has broken free and is now trying to get in touch with who she really is. Encouraged by her friends, Jamie begins to seek out former flame Lucas who was her first love and one that she lost touch with. If they were so connected back then they must be meant to be, right? Underneath the guise of working on an episode of the trashy talk show that she works for, Jamie takes her boss along as she hunts down the man that she has her future hopes pinned on. Will the flame with Lucas still be lit or is what Jamie looking for right in front of her nose?

Samantha Stroh Bailey needs to be commended for her excellent character development. Finding Lucas is so character driven that good development is essential and she nailed it! Jamie's family is far from average and her lesbian mother and her mother's partner, her laid-back dad, her energetic sister and her unique and loving friends round out the quirky and colourful cast in this book. I loved them all and would be happy to see a sequel involving any of the above. Although there are times when the reader cringes in embarrassment on behalf of Jamie the love that the family has for one another really shines through.

I also enjoyed the theme of "finding yourself" woven throughout this book. While Jamie is seeking out former flame Lucas I really think that she is finding herself more than anything. I'm sure that we all know someone in our lives whose identity has been swallowed by a man or a relationship and it was refreshing to see Jamie emerge from her boyfriend-related fog.

I thoroughly enjoyed this warm and quirky read. It is chick lit at its finest and it has it all- lovable characters, romantic tension, a main character that you want to see happy, and a satisfying conclusion. My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy for review.