The Other Megan by Robbi McCoyThe Other Megan by Robbi McCoy is a lesbian romance novel with a touch of comedy and suspense.  Jaye is a nurse who is runs away with her broken heart to the Caribbean island of Isla Santuario to work in a health clinic run by dentist Megan (Willie) Willet. Willie is at odds with her wealthy family and insists on not accepting any help from them.  Jaye wants to live in the land of predictability and that is exactly how Willie has structured her life on island. Their illusion of safety is shattered when Willie is kidnapped at gunpoint.

The local island news team finds a photo of a Megan Willet on facebook and broadcasts the story and photo on local television. Social media picks up the story too. But there’s a problem. The facebook photo is of another Megan Willet who just happens to be vacationing on the island with college friends.

The Characters

At first my favorite character was Jaye, the older nurse with the broken heart who thought she had shielded herself from the pain of heartbreak and loss by running away from it. But that other Megan took my hand and led me into her world. She is young and fearless and knows what she wants. She reminded me that I need to let that self out to play more often. I’m glad Robbi McCoy let her out to play. She surprised me, like she surprised Jaye. Willie was also controlled by her fears in many ways. She was distant emotionally and physically (she was “off stage” in much of the book), but this wasn’t her story, it was Jaye’s and the other Megan’s story.

Each character in this story was dealing with fear and withholding a large part of themselves from the world. The story allows each of them to grow beyond her fear.

The Writing Style

I liked the way the author used the kidnapping story to build suspense, then let the story flow back to the growing relationship between the other Megan and Jaye. The transitions from the Willie story to the Jaye and other Megan story were sometimes a little bit rough and would take me a few seconds to get my bearings in the story.

The Pros

Now, I could be reading way more into this story, but after I read the story and it sat with me a while, I saw these three characters as parts of one person, each with a fear, each with a capacity to grow, each with a story to tell. Willie was all intellect, Jaye all heart, and the other Megan was sexual energy and youth. They represent who we all are in relationships at one time or another or simultaneously.  Or the story is a frothy romance with a touch of suspense. Either way, I’m glad I read it.

The Cons

It took me a little while to get into the story. The premise seemed a little far fetched for me at first, but when I just sat back and enjoyed this bit of escapism, I had a fun ride that was a bit more interesting than my first glance.

The Conclusion

I enjoyed reading it, and I like it more now that the story has had a chance to sit with me. Stick with this one. It might take a little while to get used to the scenery, but once you do it’s a summer escape for the heart.

Excerpt from The Other Megan by Robbi McCoy

“I know who you are,” Jaye cut her off.

“I knew we knew each other!” Megan said triumphantly. “I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I knew you from.”

“You don’t know me from anywhere. I know who you are because of the news reports, the kidnapping.”

“Oh that!” Megan shook her head. “That’s not me. I mean obviously that’s not me because here I am. Like not kidnapped. Duh! They’re just using my photo. Dumbasses, right? It’s just a mix-up. That’s some other Megan Willet.”

“I know.”

“Sucks for her, right? But that doesn’t explain where I’ve seen you before this morning in the elevator. Because that’s when it hit me. I’m like, I know this chick. You know how sometimes people look familiar and you don’t know why? And you’re like, God, it’s just on the tip of my brain. It’s like that. I know you from somewhere, but I just can’t pin it down.”

“Maybe from last night?” Jaye suggested derisively.

“Megan shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“You don’t remember,” Jaye stated. “Figures.” She had been through this routine a hundred times before with Lexie. Whatever had happened the night before – a fight, an insult, sex – Lexie didn’t remember the next day.  For her, it had never happened, which meant it wasn’t supposed to matter to Jaye, no matter how hurtful.  She didn’t want to think about how many times they’d had that particular morning fight. Until Jaye didn’t care anymore, until she had given up.

“Were you at the Blue Parrot?” Megan asked.

Jaye sighed heavily. “I don’t have time for this.” She took a step around Megan, intent on getting away.

“Wait,” Megan said. “Look, you seem kind of pissed off. I’m sorry if I did something to upset you. I don’t remember much from last night, I was kind of out of it.”

“Oh really, I had no idea.”

“Okay, I know you’re being sarcastic.”

“Ding, ding, ding, score one for you.”

Megan burst out laughing. “I really hope we did know one another in a past life. You’re funny.”

“Past life? What’re you talking about?”

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Bits and Bobs

  • ISBN number:  978-1594934988
  • Publisher: Bella Books

Robbi McCoy Online 

Note: I received a free review copy The Other Megan by Robbi McCoy. No money was exchanged for this review. I will always review books as honestly as possible and on occasion I refuse to review books.