Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

Greetings from the Flipside

I enjoy the work of this writing team, so I was excited to read their book for review.

Let’s begin with the summary: 

Hope Landon has been rewriting other people's greeting cards since she was six years old—there's always a funnier caption. She's all set to chase those creative dreams with her musician fiancé in New York City until he leaves Hope at the altar, deciding he must not really love this girl if he can't write a song for her. That may give her something to write about . . .

Hope disappears alone on what was supposed to be the couple’s month long honeymoon. Upon returning she learns of her funeral—everyone in her life concluded Hope must have killed herself after being jilted. Needing a fresh start more than ever, she heads for the Big Apple only to discover it’s not that easy to rent a place when you’ve been declared dead.

Taking shelter at the YWCA, Hope soon lands a job at a Christian inspirational greeting card company as an assistant to Jake, a guy who shut down his organization's humor department. She has lost her faith in love; he needs to find something or someone that will make him laugh.

Is there anything in the cards for these two? Find out in the truly original Greetings from the Flipside by authors Rene Gutteridge (Boo) and Cheryl McKay (screenplay for The Ultimate Gift).

And now, my review: 

This story was a little confusing, at first. But that quirkiness becomes its charm as the story continues. With themes like hope, courage, choosing life, and noble sacrifices, you’re in for a fun, original read.

I liked the focus on greeting card writing. It’s rather an original occupation for the hero and heroine to share. And the humor element? Fun. Some of the scenarios made me chuckle aloud.

Even if we haven’t been in a coma, we each have to make the choice to live, or not. To go after our dreams, or not. Will the heroine be brave enough? Will we? Will we stay “safe” or launch into the unknown, hopes in tow?

The characters were as distinctive as this story was original. And rather quirky—especially Mom. I also liked the character of Mikaela. Wise for a little kid.

I liked the story’s length—just right. The pacing kept me reading. I also liked that the authors mixed third-person, past tense with first-person, present tense. Good writing!

When these two write together, we often get a movie. Here’s hoping that’s true this time. I could see the scenes playing out as I read.

(click for links for both e-book and print version on Amazon)