The novel “The Seduction Of Monet Dawson: Confessions Of A Military Wife” written by E. Clay tell the story of a military man, unraveled by a recent divorce and an unhealthy relationship with a crazed woman, who falls in love with his perfect woman Monet Dawson. Since the author relates the story from his perspective, it is an autobiography of sorts. The writing is effortlessly conversational yet somewhat unfocused, the title and included synopsis don’t properly convey the story, and the plot ending was substantial yet a little too swift.

Even though Monet Dawson is a married woman, she becomes the intense object of affection for the protagonist Clay. Crazy circumstances involving his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend Kay and an hypnotic trance bring Clay and Monet together, paving the way for their love to be ignited. Although Monet establishes a relationship with Clay’s son and encourages Clay in his hypnotic training, she decides after a time to return to her husband. Twenty years later Clay reunites with Monet and the son he never knew.

What draws the reader in the most is the author’s pleasant conversational style of writing. His natural use of contractions and of enough descriptive detail places the reader as a confidant. However, along with his conversational style comes the all-too-natural unfocused storytelling. At times the main focus is on the author’s hypnosis training, other times on his lascivious relationship with Monet, and then other times on his military career and comrades. Sometimes the author’s deepest emotions and thoughts get in the way of effective coherence. Although these trains of thought are sincere, they lead the reader down into some far-off rabbit holes.

Readers are given clues as to what the story is by an appealing yet strong title and synopsis. Unfortunately, these two components were not brought to fruition throughout the novel as is the case with the majority of other books. First, the title indicated that perhaps the story was going to be told through Monet’s eyes. However, it turned out to be told by the man who seduced her. Fair enough. But what was disappointing was that the actual story hinted little at the internal struggle which Monet Dawson experienced even though that is what the synopsis promised. Instead, the story was more like a string of facts about the author’s life held loosely by a poor show of human nature.

Given that the novel was more of an autobiography than a true novel, the pacing was engaging. The timetable of the plot seemed to be accurate and was easy to understand. Yet the end of the book was very sudden. The author could have extended his ending more to shed light on his renewed relationship with Monet and more importantly their son. A more in-depth heartfelt explanation at the end could have solidified its unity as a whole.

This novel had the potential to become a relatable portrait of past, present, and future relationships; instead it was more like an engaging timeline of solid facts without a strong main theme. The writing style redeems it slightly. Over all, it’s an intriguing one-time read without the ability to be a long-time companion on a bookshelf.