Review of "The Truth about Rebecca," a short story by E.M. Youman



Summary:
She's a banshee screaming, sugar-starved monster, and her zookeeper has left you all alone with her.
That's what's running through twenty-nine-year-old Henry Dalton's mind, when his five-year-old stepdaughter, Rebecca, enters the room and utters these fatal words. "Where's Mommy?"

Review:
This is a touching story about two people in need of love and forming an unlikely family.  Henry Dalton, the protagonist, is your very typical bachelor that has absolutely no interest in having a family.  He's just "a guy" that wants to date Rebecca's mom.

The circumstances of Dalton taking on Rebecca as his charge border on unrealistic by how fast everything occurs.  I felt like more time could have been spent exploring Rebecca's mother.  It wouldn't necessarily change the result of the story but perhaps add more emotional depth to the events that follow.

Still, the story has a good pace to it.  I enjoyed seeing Dalton's progression as a character.  He really sees Rebecca for her all her faults and, initially, doesn't like her at all.  I thought this was a nice, very human touch.  It explores the idea that you don't always get to choose your family.

Definitely worth picking up a copy.

3.5/5 stars
Reviewed by Alain Gomez

Buy this story on Amazon.


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