Finding that special someone to share a life with is a struggle for many. Goodbye Kiev by author Thomas C Almond is his fictionalized recounting of how he found the woman of his dreams in the Ukraine through a marriage agency, and the challenges he faced with their relationship.
Tom is a 27 year veteran of Portland Fire and Rescue. He is divorced and lonely. He is a serious man who knows what he wants and how to get it. Nothing will stop him from finding love and a lasting relationship. Through the agency, he begins corresponding with a young woman named Lyubov in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. The months pass and both Tom and Lyubov are eager to meet. It is decided that they will meet in Kiev, Ukraine and that Lyubov will bring her son, Sasha. The visit goes by quickly and smoothly. Despite his Russian being less developed than he would have liked, and Lyubov speaking little English, by the end of this first visit, Tom is sure that he is very much in love with the beautiful Lyubov. He pops the question and Lyubov says yes. Another visit is planned for the summer and Tom flies home for the States. He is happy and in love and anxious to live as a family with Lyubov and Sasha in Oregon.
Shortly after his journey home, he receives an amazing letter from Lyubov telling him how much she loves him and how wonderful he is. But all is not perfect as Tom begins to notice that her messages take longer and longer to arrive. Then a shocking letter from Lyubov shakes his faith in his feelings for her. She says she thinks she doesn't love Tom, she doesn't believe he truly loves her, and she suggests he would be happier with another. Tom can't understand this abrupt change. All Lyubov will say is that she doesn't want to burden Tom with her problems.
Tom plans another trip to Ukraine even though he isn't sure Lyubov will see him. He flies to her hometown in hopes of discovering what the real problem is. He spends week after week alone and waiting for her to agree to meet him. He is patient but his patience is growing very short. Will his perseverance pay off or will he ultimately go home broken hearted and alone.
Mr. Almond writes from his heart. Like few male authors I have read, he isn't afraid to examine and express his feelings. This is an intriguing tale of love and commitment. I found myself cheering for Tom, hoping he would get Lyubov to lower her defenses, to save the relationship. In my opinion, the book stalls a bit at chapter 6, "The Journal Home", in which the events of the first five chapters are summarized. However, Almond quickly gets back on track pushing the story forward to the climax.
This isn't a fairytale romance. It is a poignant, realistic tale of one man's quest for love. The ending is powerful, emotional, and one you will not soon forget. I recommended Goodbye Kiev.
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Goodbye, Kiev
Thomas Almond
ISBN: 9781606109946
PublishAmerica
Reviewed By Linda Waterson
Official Apex Reviews Rating: Four stars out of five
At some point or another, we all pine for that special someone who will
one day come into our lives and ease the lingering pain of being alone…our only
fear: that when they finally come along, they’re too good to be true…
Such is the case with Tom, a veteran firefighter looking to mend the broken
pieces of his heart after an unpleasant divorce. Of all places, he selects the
countries of the former Soviet Union to seek his ideal mate – and, as unlikely as it
may seem, he soon finds the new love of his life, Lyubov, through a Russian
matchmaking agency. Everything about Lyubov convinces Tom that she’s the
woman of his dreams, and, after traveling to her native Kiev to meet her in person,
the two of them soon fall head over heels in love with one another and begin a
whirlwind romantic affair that culminates in her joyfully accepting his heartfelt
marriage proposal.
Just as quickly as they brought Tom and Lyubov together, though,
circumstances soon begin to drive them apart. For reasons unknown to Tom,
Lyubov suddenly starts to put distance in-between them, and she eventually cuts
off contact with him completely. Not one to give up on true love so easily, Tom
relentlessly pursues Lyubov, determined to discover precisely why she longs to
withdraw from him – and what he ultimately learns about her shakes not only the
foundation of their burgeoning relationship, but his own personal belief system as
well. In the wake of the devastating, life-altering news, Tom is forced to decide if
his love for Lyubov is truly strong enough to endure even the most daunting of
challenges.
Goodbye, Kiev is a touching memoir penned straight from the heart of someone entirely familiar with the thrilling highs and abysmal lows of love. Thomas Almond’s semi-autobiographical account of the simultaneously rewarding and arduous trials of relationship-building will resonate with readers of all ages even remotely familiar with such universal matters of the heart. We are taught from a young age that we must fight for the things that we truly desire, but few among us are able to sustain the requisite resolve to endure the various challenges that threaten to impede us along the way. Through the example of Tom’s life, Almond provides the reader with a sterling example of the benefits of such tenacity, and he also skillfully displays that – even if the result that we receive is different than what we desired – we are still ultimately richer for having embraced the experience. Moving, heart-rending, and spiritually fulfilling, Goodbye, Kiev is a recommended, quite satisfying read.
Goodbye Kiev FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS Goodbye Kiev is a touching story written from the heart, one that will make you look at your life and wonder if your love for your spouse is strong enough to test the troubled waters of life. Reviewed by Lynn for ReviewYourBook.com | |
First, this story is fictional, based on a true story. As I read it, it became hard to distinguish where fiction leaves off and truth takes over. It took me a little bit to get into the story line, but once I did, it was a very moving story , one that tugged at the heart strings, and left me with deep feelings for the couples in the story Tom has been going through a matchmaking service in Russia. He is a veteran firefighter, divorced with children of his own. He meets Lyubov, and after communicating back and forth over a course of several month, Tom travels to Russia to meet Lyubov and her son, Sasha. It seems that they both have fallen in love with each other, and Lyubov accepts his proposal of marriage. Just as fate has brought Tom and Lyubov together, circumstances soon begin to pull them apart. Is Tom’s love for Lyubov strong enough to combat even the most daunting of challenges? Goodbye Kiev is a touching story written from the heart, one that will make you look at your life and wonder if your love for your spouse is strong enough to test the troubled waters of life. | |
