Review: The Truth About Delilah Blue

The Truth About Delilah Blue: A Novel by Tish Cohen

Summary: Delilah Blue has always been a bit of an outsider, ever since she moved from Toronto to Los Angeles when she was eight. Twenty now and desperate to become an artist like her long-lost mother but unable to pay for classes, Delilah does something nearly unthinkable. She takes a job as an art model, peeling off her clothes for a classroom full of students so she can learn from the professors as the students draw parts she’d much rather keep under wraps.

Her only real companion in life is her father, a dapper, single salesman. But as he’s entered his mid-50s, his personality seems to be changing. He forgets simple tasks and is often disoriented, signs that he is going through early-onset Alzheimer’s. The disease presents just as Delilah’s long-estranged mother, who Delilah always believed abandoned the family, re-enters the scene with a young daughter in tow and reveals a secret about the past that will permanently change their lives. Delilah must decide if her mother is the selfish woman she’s always assumed left her behind or whether somewhere deep inside her father’s memory is the truth behind the family’s separation.

My Thoughts [Mild Spoilers]: Somewhere early on, I could figure out what the Truth was. But, the why behind it is what kept me reading. Why did that happen? That’s what kept me going. It’s not that the book was dull or hard to read. It wasn’t. I actually really enjoyed Cohen’s writing style. Some comments she wrote made me chuckle. And some of her descriptions were amazing. So awesomely descriptive in a manner that made it something I was easily able to relate to. Of course, nothing specific comes to mind now that I’m writing about it …

(I’ve started thinking that perhaps I should be noting some of these things when reading a book I intend to review, but then it feels like more of a job. Less like something I’m doing for fun.)

Anyway, I did enjoy the book. It was well-written and has interesting characters. I felt so bad for Victor in several scenes, and poor Lilah in watching her father begin to lose his mind – quite literally. I had NO empathy – or sympathy – for Elizabeth. None whatsoever. Yes, I’m a mother. Yes, having my child kidnapped by anyone – even their father – would be the worst thing (short of their deaths) I could imagine living through. BUT, this woman was horrible. Blaming poor Victor for everything negative. Stretching the truth, charming her way out of culpability in just about any circumstances, not having any idea what actually is and isn’t appropriate for children … by the end I feel sorry for Delilah because she’s stuck being the adult.

Overall, it was an interesting, enjoyable read. While I don’t see myself reading this again, I can’t say there’s anything I didn’t like about it. It just didn’t leave me wanting more.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars Note: On Goodreads it’s actually 3 stars, because half stars aren’t possible on there.

Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is an Amazon link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission. Your support is appreciated!)

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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