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Summary

Let Go examines the consequence of bullying and how George and Amy Terrill’s daughter, Melia, is affected by the verbal onslaught and her commitment to the only friend who has shown her the beauty of acceptance for who she is. It examines the perks and perils of extreme wealth, the solitude of loneliness, and the frustration of achieving one’s goals only to realize that all dreams can become nightmares.

Witness the dark side of institutionalized medicine and TV talent shows where one risks everything for perhaps nothing in this fast-paced drama that delves into thoughts, emotions, joys, sorrow, and consequences of being a captive of one’s own past and fleeting fame with mini subplots dropped along the way to add intrigue to the main storyline.

Written, like all Waldwick novels, in the first person, the music has also been completed and is provided to add depth and verve to an already searing look at the worlds of medicine and entertainment where giving everything periodically isn’t enough. Above all, there is the wholesome, all-sacrificing catharsis of love: between friends, family members, and man and woman. Hefty on emotion and character, Let Go makes for a must-read.

In-Depth Summary

Elegantly crafted and emotionally resonant, Kenneth Linde’s seventh entry in the Waldwick series stands as a profound meditation on belonging, isolation, trust, betrayal, and the quiet yet transformative power of love.

Melia Terrill inhabits the rarified world of privilege—surrounded by wealth, fame, and influence. Yet, despite the outward trappings of a charmed life, she is continually haunted by prfound insecurities regarding her physical self. For all her accomplishments, fulfillment remains elusive, and a pervasive loneliness quietly shadows her days, coloring her existence with a sense of emptiness that wealth and status cannot dispel.

The arrival of Annie—a figure of grace, grounded presence, and radiant energy—brings a dramatic shift in Melia’s world. Their connection is instant, deep, and soul-stirring, sparking a profound transformation within Melia. Annie’s presence rekindles in Melia a belief in her own strength, beauty, and desirability, offering a new sense of self that had long been buried beneath layers of doubt. Yet, as their bond deepens, so too does the complexity of their relationship. The intimacy they share carries with it profound demands, forcing Melia to confront a central dilemma: when love requires sacrifice, can she find the courage to choose another’s happiness over her own?

Linde’s plotting is masterful—precise yet organic, each turn of the narrative unfolding with a quiet inevitability. Melia’s internal struggle with self-image and loneliness is rendered with exquisite psychological depth, while the surrounding cast of characters is equally vivid. Each person carries with them their own hidden sorrows, longings, and moral ambiguities, adding rich layers of emotional complexity to the narrative. These characters, drawn with tenderness and restraint, breathe life into the story, offering a portrait of humanity in all its frailty and resilience.

Subtle interwoven subplots further enrich the main narrative, infusing the story with nuance and tension. The quiet momentum builds steadily toward an aching, cathartic climax, one that force the the characters —and the readers—to reckon with the costs of love, vulnerability, and sacrifice. At its core, this novel explores the delicate balance between selflessness and self-preservation, the beauty and agony of love that demands without guarantee of return.

Lush with feeling and deeply attuned to the inner lives of its characters, this installment confirms Linde's mastery of character-driven storytelling. It is a luminous, heartrending work—an exploration of the quiet forces that shape us and the transformative power of love, making it an essential and unforgettable read.

Let Go

$24.95

Quantity

Release Date: January 2022

Author: Kenneth Linde

Publisher: Waldwick Books

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 979-8-9852613-0-1

Size: 6" x 9"

Price: $19.95/$24.95 on this site (includes shipping)

Page Count: 379
"While Melia’s journey to self-realization takes center stage, secondary plotlines add excitement as tragic incidents and soapy melodrama unravel. The characters move from incident to incident with emotions always at the forefront. Fierce yet vulnerable Melia, struggling to make impossible choices, makes for an endearing heroine. As the story moves forward, Linde further develops his heroine, pushing her to new maturity and realization while weaving in textured glimpses of the secondary characters. Throughout, readers get a vivid picture of Melia, Annie, and the people in their lives, all trying to cope with the circumstances of their environment while expressing the love, uncertainty, and hope that all humans share. The disparate plot threads intertwine to a satisfying climax. An engrossing literary tale filled with politics of status and the sad side of institutionalized medicine and TV talent shows."

–BookView Reviews, 5 out of 5 stars

"Linde’s sixth installment in the Waldwick series is a moving exploration of belongingness, loneliness, trust, betrayal, and the power of love and companionship. Melia Terrill seems to have it all: abundant wealth, power, and lame. But in the face of her own pre- conceived physical inadequacies, contentment is something she yearns for but is unable to find....The plotting is tight and the storyline grounded in pure, raw emotion....Mini subplots are dropped along the way, adding intrigue to the main storyline. Above all, there is the wholesome, all-sacrificing catharsis of love: between friends, family members, and man and woman. Hefty on emotion and character, the novel makes for a must-read."

–The Prairies Book Review, February 22, 2022
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Evolution. As the Waldwick series evolved, I began to feel in a creative rut by having only male protagonists telling their stories about the life they lead. I wanted to expose myself to a new set of challenges and elected to continue to write in the first person, but this time as a female. To do so, I needed to study the differences in how each gender communicates.

Men and Women. Because I’m writing in the first person, an important difference to consider was conversational style. I learned that men tend to talk more about their own experiences and accomplishments, interrupt more often, and may also be more direct in their communication style while avoiding expressing emotions. Women, on the other hand, may tend to be more two-way in their communication style, use more indirect language, and also more likely to express emotions and build rapport with others.

Conflict Resolution. In the Waldwick series, all books deal with conflict resolution starting with an issue and then constructing a narrative path towards a solution. In the other books, there's a challenge the male protagonist initially tries to avoid and then confronts the issue in a competitive way. In Let Go, my main character first seeks compromise and mediation to resolve her primary conflict, while also considering the needs of others.

Loneliness. What are the conflicts in Let Go? One conflict is the pain of loneliness and low self-esteem, and the resolution is friendship. Why did I choose this topic? According to the CDC’s 2020 National Health Interview Survey, one of the fastest-growing social maladies in America today is loneliness. It’s estimated that up to 40% of Americans report feeling lonely at least some of the time and 25% report or 87 million Americans feeling lonely always or often.

Coming of Age. Let Go is a coming-of-age novel. Its foundation lies in the protagonist’s unhappy childhood, particularly her junior high years when the three components of successful socialization are at their most critical juncture. First, adolescents have the strong need to feel connected to others and belong to a group. They seek out friendships and social interactions to create a sense of belonging, acceptance, and validation while also developing intimate relationships with close friends and romantic partners. Secondly, junior high kids are striving for greater autonomy from their parents and guardians—to make their own decisions, set their own goals, and assert their own identities. Finally, they want to feel competent and effective in their social interactions so they can communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and maintain positive relationships. These three primary social goals are not mutually exclusive; rather, they interact and influence each other throughout the adolescent years.

Bullying. With this in mind, I wanted to examine the psychology of adolescent bullying. Why bullying? First, because it happened to me and I could relate to it. Second, because bullying is a prevalent issue in the United States, affecting millions of children and adolescents each year. According to the CDC, one-in-five students reports being bullied at school, and one-in-six reports being cyberbullied.

From there, I moved on to: What are the potential consequences of bullying?

Social Insecurity. A sense of social insecurity where victims may experience a range of problems including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts or attempts, physical health and/or academic problems, and difficulty making friends.

Inferiority Complexes. Bullying can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual’s emotional well-being, extending far beyond their childhood. The emotional consequences can manifest in various ways, affecting an individual’s sense of self, relationships, and overall mental health, leading to an inferiority complex and a deep-seated feeling of inadequacy and worthlessness.

As I studied the spectrum of inferiority complexes, I found some common tendencies that I’ve attempted to weave into Melia’s story. They include constant comparison, perfectionism, avoidance and withdrawal, self-deprecating humor, difficulty accepting compliments, hypersensitivity to criticism, and overcompensation. As you read the book, see if you can identify them.

Conclusion. Let Go was a joy to write. It allowed me to not only address a profound and expanding problem in our society but also provide a catharsis for me to better understand the road I’ve traveled. I hope you enjoy reading what I've written.

Let Go

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