Metamorphosis

He built his life around logic. She built hers around healing. Can they find commonground in the heart? These words set the stage for a story that feels real even thoughthe author early on reminds the reader it's all imagination. Metamorphosis: Asleep-Aware-Awake-Alive by Ted Hood takes something as simple as two people meetingagain after years apart and turns it into a deep look at how we deal with love memoryand emotions we'd rather not face.The story follows Ronald Duncan a successful New York lawyer and Melina Stanforda life coach who basically lives and breathes empathy. They knew each other back incollege but things ended badly with misunderstandings and accusations. Many yearslater they bump into each other in Arizona. Ronald has his son Daniel with him asmart but emotionally guarded child who copies his dad's way of living - quiet logicaland kind of shut off from feelings. However he begins to warm up to Melina almostinstantly which Ronald quickly notices. The latter does not normally care much forpeople and his son's transformation deeply unsettles him. It also sends him down anunfamiliar path where he must deal with feelings that he has been avoiding for years.I loved how real the characters felt. Ronald comes out as a frustrating character so rigidand so locked in his head while Melina is the complete opposite. I couldn't believe myeyes at how quickly she and Daniel bonded. It's the kind of connection you wish everychild had. Readers will find themselves laughing at the awkward moments sighing atthe heavy ones and probably shaking their heads at Ronald when he just doesn't get it.The writing is clear and easy to follow. There are no fancy words to trip over but thereare enough details to paint the scene in your mind. The back and forth between Ronald'sside of the story and Melina's makes things flow in a fun way and one is able to get bothangles of the same events. I really liked this because it reminded me that in real life twopeople can see the same moment in completely different ways.The pacing is steady never too slow but not rushed either. One of the outstanding themesin this book is emotional intelligence which basically is the idea that being smart isn'tenough if you don't know how to connect with people. Forgiveness and second chancesare right up there too as is change and turning into a better version of yourself evenif it takes time and some hard lessons. I loved how the book redefines success as wellas its stand on the power of love kindness and having relationships that really matter.Metamorphosis: Asleep-Aware-Awake-Alive is a book that can be enjoyed by teensparents or even people who just want a good love-and-life story with a twist of drama.It is one of those unique offerings to humanity which feels like a reminder that it's nevertoo late to change and being alive is more than just breathing.-Pacific Book Review