A Journey of Healing in Once Upon a Time in Dollywood
When I first heard about Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan, I felt a magnetic pull towards its promise of romance intertwined with the heavy themes of trauma and resilience. As someone who often looks for depth in characters and emotional authenticity in storytelling, I was eager to dive into this novel. Little did I know, I was in for an extraordinary journey through heartache and healing that would resonate with me long after I turned the last page.
At its core, the story centers around two deeply complex characters, Eve (or Evie, as she’s lovingly called) and Jamie, whose lives are steeped in challenges that many would find insurmountable. Jamie wrestles with the ghosts of his past—his mother’s infidelity and the subsequent responsibilities he took on for his younger brother—while grappling with the fresh pain of his own failed relationship. On the other hand, Evie carries the weight of familial and religious trauma, amplified by her struggles with infertility and heartbreak. When they serendipitously cross paths at Dollywood, a theme park that somehow blooms into a backdrop for their budding love story, it feels like fate has intervened.
What struck me most was how Ashley Jordan deftly navigates these heavy themes with such authenticity and grace. It’s not often that a romance novel delves into subjects like grief, trauma, and forgiveness while keeping the characters relatable and lovable. I found myself rooting for both Evie and Jamie almost immediately, watching their individual journeys of growth evolve into a beautiful connection. Their love story is not just a tale of romance; it’s a shared understanding of suffering, healing, and eventually, acceptance.
Jordan’s writing style is engaging and reflective, perfectly capturing the duality of life—its joys and its profound challenges. The pacing felt just right; the narrative unfolded steadily, allowing readers to truly immerse themselves in the character’s arcs. The way Jamie’s seemingly stereotypical persona was unfurled, revealing layers of depth through his backstory, was a delightful surprise. It reminds us that people are often more than their first impressions, a theme that resonated deeply with me.
Although I wished for more glimpses into Evie’s college days at Spelman, the snippets we received were rich with emotion. Jordan’s attention to detail brought life to an often-overlooked period of her character’s life. I found myself yearning to see Evie’s joys juxtaposed against her struggles, but even in its restraint, the narrative packed a punch.
As I closed the book, I couldn’t help but feel that I had stumbled upon a treasure. The love story of Eve and Jamie is not just about finding romance but learning to embrace one’s past, forgave oneself, and find strength in vulnerability. I wholeheartedly believe that Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich character development paired with poignant themes of love and loss.
Ashley Jordan is poised for greatness, and I can’t wait to see where she takes her characters next. If you are looking for a heartfelt story that explores the beauty of healing through love, this book is a gem waiting to be discovered. Thank you, Berkley & NetGalley, for the opportunity to dive into this enchanting narrative—I’m excited to see what lies ahead in Jordan’s writing journey!
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