I know friends and former co-workers who have adopted children internationally, so I was intrigued by the premise of the new novel, The Second Time We Met by Leila Cobo: "Twenty years ago she gave up her son. Now he's come back to find her."
From the cover image and the back cover copy, I expected this to be the story of the adopted son's search for his birth parents. And it is. But it's also the story of the parents who adopted him and the birth mother who gave him up.
The story begins from the point of view of the birth mother Rita in a remote village in Colombia, shortly before she becomes pregnant as a teenager.
Throughout, the novel alternates points of view, mainly that of Rita and the son she gave up for adoption, Asher Stone. Asher's parents also share their perspective periodically. The alternating points of view add a layer of tension to the novel, as the reader knows more than the characters. It's both painful and exciting anticipating how the story will unfold.
What I Liked Best
The beginning of the book detailing Rita's pregnancy, as well as her family's reaction, seemed sad and familiar.
What interested me most was the story of the birth mother after she gave up her son for adoption. Most stories with similar themes skip the years between the birth and the time when her child finds her. This novel explores them: Does she think about him? How does she feel? What kind of relationship does she have with her family after the adoption? Will she return to school? How will she earn a living? Does she fall in love again? Have other children? And of course, the biggest questions of all: Does she want to be found? How will she react if she is found?
I found myself reading faster once Asher and his girlfriend flew to Colombia. Asher, a somewhat spoiled, if achingly sincere, college athlete, isn't a particularly compelling narrator. However, the secondary characters he meets at this stage offer fascinating insights into Rita's character. The combination of the unpredictable Rita, plus the steady stream of language and cultural barriers that Asher encounters, kept me quickly flipping pages until the end.
Bottom Line
While it is Asher's actions that drive the plot, The Second Time We Met turns out to be Rita's story. A thought-provoking tale that shows what can happen when the past and present collide.
Required Legal Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Second Time We Met from
the publisher, Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group). My
review is my honest opinion. I have received no compensation for my
review.