The Year Everything Changed: A Novel

What a wonderful book to read! The characters were very relatable and had very unique personalities. I plan to read more by this author.

Once upon a time, I read a book called "The Way It Should Have Been" Totally blew me away. I loved it, wrote a review on Amazon that I poured more thought and emotion into than any other review before or since. But, hey, I'm a guy, guys don't read romances, so what do I know. Well, maybe not much, because I don't usually read romances. All I can say is that this book is not like any other romance, or story with a romance in it, that I've ever read. Mostly, quite frankly, none of Georgia's books are like other books.Because she somehow manages to tell a romance that seems to actually be about real people (not unrealistic overblown caricatures), experiencing real issues (not fake situations that happen to nobody), and living real love (not some hokey movie/TV version that never really happens). And her words reach out from the page, her stories spring forth and grab you, and you are touched...your emotions, your soul.What books have you read that do that? Me, not so many. And you know, I don't generally like books, movies, or TV that reflects reality. I see enough unpleasant stuff in real life, don't need in my fiction, which I want to take me away, to escape from reality. But I will never ever have any problem spending some time in reality when Georgia Bockoven is telling me a story.

I have read all of the books by Georgia Bockoven except the Harlequin Romance titles.....I liked them all but this was THE BEST yet. It isn't often we hear from her 'pen' so it took me a while to find her again. I am so glad I did. This is the story of Jesse Reed and his daughters -- his determination to be a successful son and businessman, husband and father. The story line takes the reader through the early days of oil discovery in Oklahoma and Texas. It weaves a thread to California and four modern day women still feeling the effects of being left to figure life out with no biological father. Then, rather abruptly they are summoned by Jesse's long time friend and lawyer to meet him before he dies. What follows are more revelations of family history they all share and an astonishing inheritance that changes their lives. But before they can accept, they have to fulfill requirements. This is not met without conflict. Ms Bockoven writes a beautiful story of love revealed in all aspects, through Jesse's relationships. -- His family, his work ethics, his friends and his daughter's and their mothers and finally the daughters themselves. It's interesting and satisfying and at times a little bit funny too!! It's just a very good story. If you have sisters or have always wanted one, this would be a good read for you.

Character development

This story was engrossing and held my attention throughout the book. It has redeeming qualities that were revealed through the characters and showed the love a family can have and also develop over time. I read this book in two sittings as I was anxious to see how it was going to end. Then when it ended I was sad to say goodbye to the sisters and Lucy. I highly recommend this story for so many reasons, the least of which it will renew your belief in redemption.

Never would I have anticipated what these women were capable of. From acrimony and resistance, relationships were born and these “sisters” actually became SISTERS in the fullest sense of the word. You’ll curse, you’ll cry, but most of all you’ll love “The Year Everything Changed” and yearn for more.

Can you imagine getting a message from your dying father to come to a meeting and finding out you have 3 sisters you never knew you had or hearing from a father you never knew and he wants to explain why he wasn't part of your life. It's not that he wants forgiveness but he wants you to know he really did love you and to know what happened that kept him away. You will realize Jesse is a loving man he just didn't know how to express himself at the right times.Georgia Bockoven has become one of my favorite authors.

Loved the different story lines, and didn't want to stop reading. Upon reflection, there should have been more explanation on the relationship between Jessie and Lucy - what was described was not deep enough to risk what she did for him in manipulating the daughters. Also, I don't think Jeff's accident added anything to the story, other than inserting drama. The unfolding story was dramatic enough.