Souvenir

October 1, 2007
The melodrama is thick and heavy in Fowler's debut. Meg Powell turned her back on the love of her life, Carson McKay, to marry Brian Hamilton, the scion of a banking family who saved her parents' farm from foreclosure in exchange for her hand. Now, 16 years later, Meg and Brian are so busy with their careers that they overlook their 16-year-old daughter, Savannah, who has typical adolescent concerns about being pretty and popular. Carson, meanwhile, has become a rock star and is now on the verge of marrying a much younger surfing champion, but he's never gotten over Meg. Trouble comes as Meg is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and Savannah meets an unsavory 23-year-old man online who woos her with the kind of positive reinforcement she wants to hear. Unfortunately, Fowler does little to create narrative tension or well-rounded characters: Meg and Carson reunite before Meg's health declines, Brian is a predicable schmuck, and Savannah gets a rough comeuppance at the hands of her bad news beau and his pals. The bungled handling of saccharine material limits this would-be tearjerker.

Starred review from November 1, 2007
Fowler's debut is the heartbreaking story of a woman who made what she thought was a responsible decision, only to have to live with the consequences. Meg Powell had always loved Carson McKay, and the families thought they'd end up together. But when Brian Hamilton offered to forgive the mortgage Meg's irresponsible father couldn't pay, Meg agreed to marry him. Seventeen years later, Meg's a successful obstetrician in a loveless marriage. Her daughter, Savannah, almost 16, thinks she's found love on the Internet and acts recklessly. Carson is a successful musician, on the verge of marriage to a younger woman, although he's never forgotten Meg. When Meg discovers she has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), she knows she has only one chance to make peace with the past and give her daughter hope for the future. The choices made by Meg and Savannah may be controversial with some readers, but, nevertheless, this outstanding debut is recommended for all public libraries.Lesa M. Holstine, Glendale P.L., AZ

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2007
Fowlers debut centers on two star-crossed lovers, Meg Powell and Carson McKay, who fell in love as teens but were torn apart when Meg agreed to marry wealthy Brian Hamilton in order to save her familys farm. Sixteen years later, Meg is a successful doctor with a beautiful 15-year-old daughter, Savannah, and Carson is a famous rock star engaged to a younger surfing champ. Meg is thrown off guard when she runs into Carson at the tailor on a trip home to prepare for his wedding. She tries to put him out of her head, but it doesnt help that her teenage daughterwho might in fact be Carsons childis a huge fan of Carsons and wants to go a concert hes putting on in Orlando. Savannah is harboring a secret: shes been seeing an attractive older guy she met on the Internet. But Meg, too, is hiding a secret, one that will change the lives of those around her forever. Truly impossible to put down, Fowlers first novel offers appealing characters and clever, unexpected twists.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)