Before I begin my review of UNSPOKEN by Kelly Rimmer, I have to admit that there are many books penned by this talented author that have been duly noted as my favorite. How can there be so many favorites written by one person? That is the struggle I faced when I put pen to paper – so to speak – and began constructing another what would become a five-star review. In short, there is no way to avoid this when speaking about UNSPOKEN by Kelly Rimmer.

UNSPOKEN is the second installment of the series Startup in the City. And before you ask – no, you don’t have to read them in order as each perfectly stands alone on its own merit. Nothing is as sad as watching the dissolution of a marriage, especially one built on a mountain of love.

But how do you stop the avalanche of hard feelings, hurt, and disappointment? The first thing to learn is that people don’t know what you are thinking, so if there is something on your mind do yourself a service by speaking out. Second thing is to listen, really listen to what someone is saying. Isabel and Paul are a lovely couple and deeply in love. At least they were and then marriage took a sharp turn when Isabel literally walked out. Both are truly devastated by this turn of events. Paul is destroyed. Isabel keeps waiting for Paul to call her back to him – even though she is the one that turned her back on their marriage.

Are you confused yet? Well, so are Isabel and Paul, and in UNSPOKEN that’s the clear message that Kelly Rimmer is trying to convey. Isabel has in short become a spiteful, angry, sharp-tongued, miserable person. Paul doesn’t even recognize who this Isabel is – she is not the Isabel he loves and married. Isabel is busy rationalizing her reactions to everything Paul does or says in the present or in the past. Paul does not want a divorce. Isabel can’t see an alternative. Talk about a stalemate. Something has to give, but the best these two can come up with is to temper their overwrought reactions and strive for a friendship.

It sounds like an impossible mission. But without even a friendship it means they are truly broken and split apart. Paul is a programmer with a thriving, growing company. When thinking of Isabel and Paul’s relationship it is like writing or designing a computer program where you recognize a problem – in this case, a failed marriage, then write code of steps to get your desired result – no divorce. UNSPOKEN is filled with many moments, some insightful others candidly frustrating which is designed to show the realities of a marriage or partnership with another human being.

Each person comes with their own baggage. Recognizing differences and accepting them is a huge hurdle in real life. And in UNSPOKEN both Isabel and Paul will have to uncover these issues, take them, work through solutions and candidly decide if their relationship is worth the work. Real life is just like that with no short cuts but the rewards might be wondrous.

So welcome back to Startup In The City if you have already read UNEXPECTED,  welcome to UPSPOKEN that will make you equal parts angry, frustrated, and enamored with a crazy wonderful couple. UPSPOKEN is another jewel of Kelly Rimmer not to be missed.

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