Review: The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

Clio, Smith, and Tate are three individuals joined by friendship, all struggling to determine their fate and future in Manhattan. Set during Thanksgiving weekend, a time spent with family (sometimes willingly, oftentimes not), when one's emotions are already on edge.

Clio is a renowned bird-watcher, her walks through the Rambles of New York City are prominent enough to earn space in New York Magazine.  She had a broken childhood, her mother a victim of mental illness. Now, she has the chance at a real relationship.  Rather than embracing it with happy and open arms, she's terrified of making the commitment.

Smith is Clio's best friend. The two women have been through everything together.  Smith consistently lives in the shadow of her prominent family's name. Her job is to help organize the lives of others, but she's losing control of her own.

Tate has lost the love of his life. Caught up in an emotional divorce, he returns to the city after selling his prominent company. After losing so much, he's ready to follow his passions and dreams.

Together, these three individuals endure a journey that tests their resolve. They are each forced to cut ties with the past, instead looking toward the future and their own individual hopes and dreams, for the first time in their lives.

This is one of those novels that quickly engages the reader, full of dynamic and rich characters that evoke feelings of sympathy and remorse, but also hope and promise.  Clio, Smith, and Tate all come from vastly different backgrounds, yet they are drawn together by time and place.  When I read the premise, I did question my ability to connect with these characters.  My concerns were without reason, for I almost instantly connected with each of them, similar to how they connected with one another despite their many differences.

Readers are granted the perspectives of each character which truly allows for a well-formed look at their lives and the journeys they each endure. Typically, when I read a novel of this type, with multiple protagonists, one of them will rise to the top as my favorite.  Yet, in this case, the author’s skilled portrayal of each allowed me to connect and bond with each of them, despite of (and because of) their differences.

I loved Smith’s vulnerabilities. Noted for her beauty, her issues with herself brought her down a notch, making her more sympathetic and “down to earth” character.  She’s the type of person you could hate simply because she appears perfect on the outside. Knowing that she’s not makes me like her even more!

Clio is a spitfire of a woman! Always gung-ho about pursuing her passion in bird-watching, she’s still occasionally overcome by panic attacks, specifically when she feels she’s lacking in control.  She’s used to being able to run away from her fears, yet now she’s come to a time in her life when she has to either cut ties with her past or embrace it. Her journey was quite profound; she’s likely the character I connected with the most.

Tate’s character warmed my heart.  Completely heartbroken, he too must get over his damaged soul and go against what everyone else expects of him. He adores photography, a passion that is not fleeting, yet those around him expect more.  He’s more than a love interest in this novel.  He helps tie the trio together, providing healing not only for those around him but also himself.

All in all, this was a completely heartwarming read.  It captured my attention from the beginning, crafting characters that I could honestly see as part of my life. It sounds cliche, but my sentiments are genuine. I absolutely adored this novel! Highly, highly recommended.