1) The “character comes back home” device is an oldie but goodie. The author makes the situation clear in the first few paragraphs that Chloe is not exactly thrilled to come back home and that there is likely a contrast between who she is and who she was.
2) The author could have chosen any of the million reasons a car might break down. It’s telling that she chose for the car to run out of gas, as Chloe is also running on fumes and will be restored to working order by this trip.
3) I love how the author depicts Chloe’s frustration. At the same time, even though the narrative is in the present tense, I get the sense that the protagonist knows, deep down, that her life is about to change. (Look at that last sentence!) Does this kind of thing happen to us in real life? I think that it does from time to time.
Check out the author’s web site and buy her book!
