Title: Michelle
Author: Ayala Yoked
Genre: Psychological, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Michelle is in trouble – but she’s fighting for her ideals!
In this psychological romance a group of university students and soldiers go underground to try to implement ideas about which they are passionate. The French police are after them. Michelle has just been released from jail in France after attempting to damage an arms factory.
Michelle has two lovers – but she’s not in love!
Michelle comes to Israel and rekindles her romance with David, a middle-aged, married professor. Tom, her student lover who had been wounded in war, and Gad, David’s son, are also among the rebels. Michelle is intellectual, arrogant and teasing – and not committed to either of her lovers.
Michelle’s rebel group depends on her – but nothing is simple!
Michelle’s friends know they can rely on her, but they each struggle with their own internal conflicts. David is terrified about his son’s entanglement in illegal activity. His own failure as a soldier still haunts him. David’s sister, Pola, comes to visit and supports their activity. These idealistic rebels will inspire you, despite their dilemmas!
In Michelle, we meet an enigmatic, charming young woman who has a rebellious streak and who is, you guessed it, named Michelle. While Michelle Cohen is the centerpoint of everything and the story, ultimately, is about her quest to fight for what she believes in, the other characters are equally as compelling and bring a lot to the table as well.
Set in Israel, the book not only focuses on Michelle but also on her love life, on the tragedies of life, and even on her time in prison – which she was sent to after getting convicted by the French court after attempting to damage an arms factory.
Michelle is vibrant, full of life, enthralling but also puzzling – to others and to herself. She often doesn’t understand the trauma that drives her to do certain things, and only in hindsight does she understand why she made certain choices. As a reader, you’re right there next to her, discovering her as she discovers herself.
Most of the book takes place in Israel, and the author does a particularly good job describing the towns, streets, and general atmosphere. Even though I’ve never been, I could imagine myself being there.
