This Past Year by Author Philip C. Mack tells the story of Charlie Maxwell, a thirty year old male, determined to leave his military life behind and find a lasting and loving relationship. Despite his background, he simply is the nice guy, the one that everyone wants as a friend, with a protective instinct and selflessness that sees him placing everyone’s needs above his own. Readers will be thoroughly charmed by his character and will champion him on, in his quest for true happiness.
When Charlie moves to Glasgow he receives a chance message from an old school friend, Nicola, which leads him to believing that he may well find true love at last. But Nicola is running from her violent past, and Charlie, ever the knight in shining armour, comes to her rescue in the hope he can save her and win her heart. Nicola needs him but doesn’t want him. There is plenty of drama and tension along the way, and the ending is completely unexpected, and will come as a shock!
I really enjoyed this story, which moves along at a satisfactory pace and keeps the reader engaged. The characters are relatable and the dialogue credible. My only critique would be that the writing itself does jump around in a number of characters point of view, throughout the book, which some readers may find confusing. The story would be strengthened if the author remained in one or two point of views and had longer periods in between before changing, rather than switching several times in quick succession between all of the central characters involved. However, that being said, I could still follow the story, identify who was speaking and whose head we were in, and so this did not spoil the story or my enjoyment.
I therefore award, This Past Year, 4 stars.
