A review by author_tri_drexler
In-Between by MJ James

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really liked this story. It could have easily been a 2-part series or even a trilogy if the author stretched out parts of the plot. But I like that this is an epic standalone. In-Between is a unique urban fantasy about a single mom with autism. Alicia is raising her son, Kenny, all on her own when she begins to receive various complaints from her son’s school about his strange behavior. From random disappearing acts to making a garden grow in an instant.

These behaviors turn out to be magical powers he inherited from his unknown father, an elven king. The king is a cruel man who attacked Alicia while she was at a club with her college roommates. She never understood why no one helped her and why there were no witnesses when there were people all around her as she was dragged out to an alleyway. Now she must trust the king’s righthand man to help her son.

The plot was well structured and flowed nicely. Even though I like this book as a standalone, I do wish we got to know more about the characters. I was very much interested in Alicia and wanted to know more about her struggles living in a society that doesn’t understand the way she thinks. How she conquered autism and was able to raise a son she didn’t plan on having and how she did it alone. I also felt like the conclusion happened a little too quickly. Even still, I was not disappointed.