The Accidental Rewrite by Milly Johnson
Polly Potter is unhappy. Her partner, Christopher, takes her completely for granted at home and at work her misogynist boss treats her as a servant and takes credit for her work. But in The Accidental Rewrite by Milly Johnson, Polly is about to make some changes.
Polly and Christopher have been together for eight years and their relationship deteriorated to the point that he had an affair. Polly left but agreed to come back if they would work on getting back to what they once had. A year has past and things are no better. The only enjoyment she has is her creative writing class which Christopher doesn’t even know she attends. He has no interest in what she does other than cleaning and cooking.
Polly made her plan to leave but decided to wait until after a family commitment. Christopher’s sister is renewing her vows and Polly is to be bridesmaid and wear the hideous dress picked out for her. While waiting she begins an assignment for her writing class. She is to plan a novel. Her heroine, Sabrina Anderson, is all the things Polly wishes for herself. Sabrina is strong and leaving her unfaithful husband and lousy job, her daughter is alive and traveling, and she had parents who loved her.
Finally the day of the vow renewal arrives. Polly has her bags packed, her money and passport in her purse, and will load her car and leave after the ceremony. When she reaches the town hall and is ready to follow the bride down the aisle, she realizes something is terribly wrong. Even with all eyes on her Polly can’t do what is expected and flees.
She doesn’t take time to pack all her things in the car, she just goes. She sticks to her plan to spend a couple of weeks at the coast where she has happy memories. Almost there Polly stops at a scenic spot hoping to regroup and get a cup of coffee. But a bad day gets worse when she is mugged and injured.
Awakening in the hospital her mind is blank. Her purse and car are gone and the only thing she knows is her name, Sabrina Anderson. Of course, no one with that name is listed as missing and Christopher and family are not searching for Polly Potter. If her memory doesn’t return, she is destined for a long hospital stay then a shelter.
Marielle, a retired nurse and a volunteer at the hospital, befriends Sabrina/Polly and decides to help her regain her memory. Marielle has an apartment attached to her home and offers it to Sabrina while she is recovering. She even finds Sabrina/Polly a job working in her son’s restaurant.
As Polly settles into her new home and job, she remembers some things but it is all mixed up with Sabrina’s story. She grows close to the people she works with, especially Tony, Murielle’s son, and begins to build a new life.
But what will happen when her memory returns? When Sabrina’s life collides with Polly’s, will she be strong enough to fight for the life she deserves?
Johnson has written a humorous, heart-warming novel about found family and second chances. A special touch is the printed retractions from The Daily Trumpet between some chapters. The Daily Trumpet is the local paper renowned for all the mistakes they make including one involving Sabrina.
You may find it takes a while to get to the heart of this novel but keep reading, you will be rewarded. The library has this title in both regular print and large print.
Review written by Patty Crane, Reference Librarian
