HIGHER LOVE
By JOANNE KUKANZA EASLEY
Women’s Literary Fiction
Publisher: Red Boots Press
Pages: 380
Publication Date: May 12, 2025
***** SYNOPSIS *****
Higher Love – the new release from Joanne Kukanza Easley, the multi-award-winning author of Sweet Jane, Just One Look, and I’ll Be Seeing You.
In 1986 Austin, Texas, sixteen-year-old Stephanie steps into sixty-two-year-old Lauren’s life, her uncanny resemblance cracking open a buried past. Claiming to be the daughter of the child Lauren gave up for adoption forty-five years ago, Stephanie upends Lauren’s life—already complicated by her remarriage to Brett after thirty-three years apart. Stung by her adoptive grandmother’s deception, Stephanie stays, her past of tragedy and self-harm forging a fragile bond with Lauren and Brett. When Stephanie’s trust fund evaporates, crushing her college dreams, Lauren sacrifices all to give her a future—only to face a bittersweet twist that echoes the past and changes everything. This heart-wrenching family drama delves into the enduring impact of secrets, the power of unconditional love, and the strength found in facing our pasts.
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***** REVIEW *****
With love all things are possible.
Higher Love, is a sequel to Easley’s I’ll Be Seeing You, continuing Lauren Eaton’s story a year after her second marriage to Brett. The drama starts immediately when Stephanie, a granddaughter Lauren never knew she had, shows up at her door while there is a large party in progress at the home.
The ensuing story chronicles the challenges that they both face as virtual strangers who have this blood tie and struggle to build a relationship. The novel also deals with other significant human issues, including loss and grief, alcoholism, unwanted pregnancies, and self-harm. Factually, those issues are presented in depth, but as I read, I often wished there was a little more of the emotion shown, rather than just being told. Also, for me, at times the resolutions of the challenges seemed to come too quickly and too easily.
That said, there is much to appreciate in this novel, and I did enjoy the read.
Set in Austin, Texas in the 1980s, that era is realistically portrayed in the mentions of fashion, retail stores that were popular, and entertainment specific to that decade. Having been to Austin numerous times, I liked “seeing” Barton Springs and other landmarks again, as well as recognizing names of streets that I’ve driven on. Setting a scene and a time-period is a strength of Easley’s writing, and I recall that I found that true when reading I’ll Be Seeing You.
While the novels are connected by characters, it isn’t necessary to read I’ll be Seeing You to follow the story line of Higher Love. Enough of the backstory is woven into the present one for readers to get needed information. That weaving is well done and never comes as large sections of dumping information.
The strength of this story is that it shows how if we embrace unconditional love, it can heal the schism between family members, something that is true for other relationships, too. Despite how “teenage-tantrummy” Stephanie acted, Lauren and Brett didn’t stop loving her. That brought to mind something I’d often tell my kids; that I could be angry and hate their behavior, but the love never stopped.
Lessons well-taught in this story, and readers who enjoy women’s fiction that includes such life lessons will find much to like about this novel.
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***** ABOUT THE AUTHOR *****
Joanne Kukanza Easley, a retired registered nurse with experience in both the cold, clinical operating room and the highly charged world of psychiatric hospitals, lives in the Texas Hill Country, where she writes fiction about complicated, twentieth-century women. Her multi-award-winning debut, Sweet Jane, was named the adult fiction winner at the Texas Author Project and shortlisted for the Sarton Award and Eric Hoffer Award, among others. Just One Look, Joanne’s second novel, was a May 2022 Pulpwood Queen Book Club Pick. I’ll Be Seeing You, her third novel, features characters from Sweet Jane. Look for her fourth novel, Higher Love, a sequel to her third book, in Spring 2025. Her prize-winning short stories and poetry have appeared in several anthologies.
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***** Giveaway! *****
Three winners will receive an eBook. Ends 07/10/2025, U. S. Only
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I read both the prequel and this book and really enjoyed them and having the full, wider picture of Lauren’s life. But agreed — they each absolutely stand alone. Great review, Maryann.
Thanks so much for the kind words about the review, Kristine. This is an interesting series and I wonder what is next for Lauren.
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