I Knew You'd Be Lovely: Heartwarming Short Stories Collection - Perfect for Relaxing Evenings, Book Clubs & Thoughtful Gifts

In 1986 I was sent to Thailand as a reporter to write a series of stories about refugee families torn apart -- Cambodian refugees who lived in refugee camps in various parts of Thailand who had relatives in Lowell, Massachusetts and in other cities nearby. It was one of those true -- very clear -- defining moments of my life, for several reasons and my life changed for the better. Then I was to go back in 1988 and this is the link to “I Knew You Would Be Lovely.” I was very nervous about going back to a place that what was so wonderful, meaningful, stimulating, creative, and so me the first time. How could I match that plateau? Would the second time be less joyous and thus bring down the amazing gift of the first time? That did not happened. The amazing just continued and deepened and offered new lights and paths and simulations. I could go home again. And that is this book. I so deeply enjoyed it and was captured by it the first time, I feared reading it again. How foolish of me. The second time was better and the third time, close to boffo and socko. Thanks so very much. How she got so much of me in so many of the stories is not self0centered, but a micro version of the macro of which she achieves for all who read this magnificent collection.The stories make you wan to meet the character. The stories make you rethink your decisions and, on occasion, give you a somewhat sign post for your future. You make choices, you later think “what if,” you realize things are better than you thought, or worse than you thought.And floating above it all, seeping into your brain through your reading eyes, is how she gets you -- how she gets life, how she gets what life should be, how she gets and reminds of why we try again, give up, and wonder and ponder. Reading such amazing words leaves you speechless and breathless and, perhaps, refilled.I choked up many times. I cursed silently at other times. I told characters “don;t do that” on several occasions. I admired her talent and skills and details and flow and hidden gems. I await her next offerings.