“When I was twelve, a fortune-teller told me that my one true love would die young and leave me all alone…” First line. Hooked.
Tiffanie Debartolo’s God Shaped Hole tells the story from Beatrice’s (Trixie’s) point of view as she answers this add in the weekly:
“If your intentions are pure, I’m seeking a friend for the end of the world.”
On the other side of the add sits Jacob Grace, artistic, poetic, mysterious, and potentially Trixie’s “one true love,” a Writer. He’s romantic and thoughtful but still a man, a man who doesn’t do everything exactly right all of the time…unlike so many heroes in romance novels. Jacob Grace seeks life and pulls Trixie, who’s cynical but quirky, along on his journey to both sell his book and move away from the god forsaken town of L.A. He’s charming and funny but real and not always likable, which made me like him even more.
Debartolo’s words covered me like a warm cashmere sweater. The story was well paced and well written. She developed her characters brilliantly. I could write quote after quote of her prose, but I’ll let you read for yourself. Here are a couple of my favorite lines:
“…his eyes. They were deep-set…a watery version of his hair color, like liquid leather.”
(Jacob) “‘It’s what life’s all about…A search. We’re all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls.'”
Occasionally, a book comes along and sinks into me. I grow an affection for the characters, like they’re real people. I think about them. I tend to devour these books, to dive in and swim without coming up for air, but I chose not to do that with this one. I enjoyed it. I left it on my end table and only read one or two chapters at a time. I read with a glass of red. And I enjoyed every single word.
Five Giant Stars and one God Shaped Hole in my soul.
And this is her first novel.
Click here to buy God Shaped Hole.
Cellulite Looks Better Tan 
First!
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Dangggg! Way to go 😀
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Great review, Mandi! Not sure if this is my cup of tea but you saying, “Debartolo’s words covered me like a warm cashmere sweater…” sure has my interest piqued 🙂
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It’s not too girly for a dude to read it, Mike.
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Ohhhh, adding this to my to-read list! God-shaped hole…freakin’ brilliant!
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It’s so good. I still can’t stop thinking about it. I’m blue that it ended.
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So intriguing! I’m hooked now, too. You always have the BEST book referrals. done and done.
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I do love a great book, Beth, and when it’s really great, I can’t shut up about it. I’m making so many people I know read this one.
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That’s one helluva intro to the book. And such evocative language, too – eyes like liquid leather! Yum! Thanks for the review. I enjoyed it and yes…my interest is somewhat piqued.
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Liquid leather, OH MY!
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I know. I loved that line.
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It’s really good, Lizzi. It’s no Secret Garden, but it’s poignant and not your typical cliche filled romance novel.
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That’s a relief 🙂
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Thank you for this review, anytime I see the word “God” in a book my brain shuts down like a drunk baby. I do love me some verbal cashmere! Pinned to my Books to read board!
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I thought the same thing when I heard the title. It’s been out since 2002, and I wonder if that’s why it hasn’t gotten around the book circles yet. Or maybe it has, and I just missed it. I tend to veer away from anything that says “God” in the title, too. I get plenty of those books from my preacher father.
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Wait, did you just say “drunk baby?” I love you, Joy!
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You didn’t steer me wrong with the last recommendation, so I’m going to read this one too. Thanks Mandi!
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This one is up there with the last one. Both told from a bit of a jaded point of view but for very different reasons. I still can’t get this one out of my mind, and I’m halfway through another book. It was that good.
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I had to order this one…this is an amazing review so now, yes! I have to read it!
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I hope you like it as much as I did, Sandy.
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Oh cool! I had just put that book on my to read list so now I’m even more excited!
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