Title: Cloud Walking
Author: A. Meredith Walters
First published January 22, 2013
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.91
Overview
Growing up in the rough streets of Houston, Lena learned to never trust a man. Her father was a criminal, and her mother abandoned her.
But then she meets Yuri, a Russian billionaire with a dark reputation. Yuri’s past is just as troubled as Lena’s, but he’s ascended to the pinnacle of success.
Lena is drawn to him, but she’s afraid to let him in. When Lena’s father gets caught up in an international art theft operation, Yuri sees an opportunity to save her family and be her protector.
But as past misdeeds catch up with him, Yuri must prove to Lena that he can be the man she needs. One sensual, wicked kiss at a time, Yuri will show Lena that he’s the one she can trust and depend on.
About the Author
A. Meredith Walters is a renowned author, whose works have been featured in The New York Times and USA Today.
She writes captivating Contemporary and New Adult romance novels, like the Bad Rep, Find You in the Dark, Reclaiming the Sand, and Twisted Love series. Connect with her on social media through her Facebook page, Twitter handle @AuthorAMWalters, and Instagram account with the username a.meredith.walters.
Editoral Review
Cloud Walking by A. Meredith Walters is a heart-wrenching novel that explores themes of trauma, grief, and finding hope in the darkest of times.
Walters is a successful author of romance and new adult fiction, and in this book, she takes a different direction with a more somber and introspective style. Set in a small town in South Carolina, Cloud Walking follows the story of Emma and Cooper, two broken characters who find solace in each other after facing devastating losses.
Emma is a high school student struggling with the suicide of her mother, while Cooper is an Army veteran dealing with the aftermath of a tour in Afghanistan. Despite their different backgrounds, they share a common pain that brings them together, and they embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.
Walters does an excellent job of creating complex and relatable characters that feel like real people. Emma and Cooper are flawed and multidimensional, and their struggles are depicted with sensitivity and depth.
The setting of the book, a small town in the South, also adds an authentic feel to the story, as the characters face social pressures and expectations that shape their behavior. One of the strengths of the book is the way Walters handles the sensitive issue of suicide.
She doesn’t shy away from the raw emotions and the guilt that often accompany suicide survivors, and she depicts Emma’s mental state with honesty and empathy. However, the book’s pacing is slow at times, and the plot feels predictable and formulaic.
The romantic subplot between Emma and Cooper feels rushed and lacks chemistry, and some of the secondary characters are underdeveloped. Overall, Cloud Walking is a poignant and emotional read that tackles important issues with care and compassion.
Although it falls short in some areas, it is a worthwhile read for fans of new adult and contemporary fiction. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy introspective and character-driven stories that tackle heavy themes with sensitivity.
It would also appeal to fans of Nicholas Sparks and John Green. I would give Cloud Walking a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
