Title: Seen At Last
Author: J.T. Tierney
Publisher: Curtiss Street Press
ISBN: 979-8-9992306-5-2
Pages: 416
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Reviewer: Alyssa Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
What happens when a woman loses herself in her marriage, in her family, and forgets who she is at her core? Or maybe, has never even fully acknowledged who she is at her core because of her own fears of what that could mean for the future of her family and her life? This is a big part of what we get to explore in J.T. Tierney’s novel, Seen At Last.
In this story, we meet Grace, a beloved therapist with two young teens who is married to a surgeon named Michael. She is his rock as well as the glue that holds their family together by being the anchor for her two children. In other words, she means the world to her family, as they do to her but there’s one problem: she is struggling with her sexual identity and her attraction to her co-worker, Allie.
The way the author examines her inner struggle with coming to terms with her sexuality is handled with a deft and delicate touch while still getting to the core of why this is so difficult for her. Especially when considering her marriage is ending and thus is causing inner turmoil within her family due to the sudden breakup. Will the fact she is deciding to be her true, authentic self ultimately come at the cost of her family? Or will their traumas from the situation be something they can eventually overcome?
I truly enjoyed the therapy sessions with Grace and her clients that are interspersed throughout this novel, especially since it details actual therapeutic practices. It dove into different mental health struggles and traumas, as well as the struggles of daily life, loss, grief, and the struggles of ending a relationship, especially a marriage, as seen with Grace and Michael. The author also does an excellent job of writing of LGBTQ+ relationships, particularly a lesbian relationship, on both mental and physical levels, as well as how difficult it can be to have society accept those that are different from them in this regard.
The way the author writes of women shows a true appreciation when writing about their strength, resilience, wit, and compassion. It is truly refreshing and much needed in this day and age. While this is a great read for those in the LGBTQ+ community, it really is perfect for anyone who has struggled in relationships, whether past or present. Seen At Last by J.T. Tierney is one you won’t want to miss. Trust me.