Two From the Heart by James Patterson – a Review

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Description:
Two heartwarming tales about the power of a good story to open our eyes to life’s possibilities.

Anne McWilliams has lost everything. After her marriage falls apart and a hurricane destroys her home she realizes that her life has fallen out of focus. So she takes to the road to ask long lost friends and strangers a simple question: “What’s your best story?” Can the funny, tragic, inspirational tales she hears on her journey help Anne see what she’s been missing?

Tyler Bron seemingly has it all-a successful company and more money than he knows how to spend. But he has no life. So he hires a struggling novelist to write one for him. There are no limits to the fictional world that Bron’s money can transform into a reality, and he soon becomes the protagonist of a love story beyond his wildest imagination. But will Tyler Bron be able to write the happy ending himself?

Review:

Two From the Heart by James Patterson is a different type of read for me from Patterson.  This is two different stories written by Patterson and other co writers.  The stories revolve around two people who either had drastic life changes or someone who has everything but a life. These are separate stories which have nothing to do with each other.

In the first story Anne McWilliams is currently living on an island when a hurricane hits causing her to lose her house and her beloved camera dark room and equipment. Anne has already had disasters in her life including a divorce. She picks herself up, and decides to travel to see friends, family and find her way again. Her first stop is her brother, whom she has not seen in a few years, and he gives her a gift (new high tech camera ) that he meant to give her when she was supposed to visit awhile back. Now Anne will continue her way, meeting either strangers or old friends, using her new camera to take the pictures she so loves, and asking those she meets “tell me a story about something in your life”.

This was a nice interesting story listening to all the different events that have changed people’s lives, which lead Anne to find herself again, possibility meeting someone for herself and putting her adventure into a career of pictures and words.

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In the second story, Tyler Bron is a multi billionaire, who has everything he has ever wanted, but a life. He lives for his work, and now he wants something different.  Damian Crane is an author, who lives a quiet secluded life, and is shocked when a helicopter lands in his yard.  Damian doesn’t think of himself as a successful writer, but then he meets Tyler Bron, who thinks he is a great writer.  All Tyler wants from Damian is to write a different life for him to live, and his high tech people will bring his words to reality. The following morning, Daisy, who is Bron’s assistant, knocks on his door at 6am and brings him to Bron’s huge offices.  At this point, Damian begins to type and we watch Tyler find himself in the middle of nowhere. The story switches between Damian, Daisy and the tech staff as they watch Tyler trying to live in this town with no technical ability, and with no money, cards, phones if he wanted to leave.  It was a different and nice storyline to see Tyler totally out of his element, and making friends with the locals, who are poor, as they open themselves to help Tyler, who has no money or anything.  Along the way, Tyler will begin to relax a bit and go to the local bar with some of the men; get to know the kids at school and teach them those things that he learned about building things when he grew up; and he also meets a waitress, who makes his heart feel something he has never known.   It was a very sweet story, and a very nice sweet ending. 

I rather not tell too much more.  You will have to read this book to see how life can change for people.  I enjoyed the book, though it was a different kind of read for me.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher