Books I Review

Three Good Things by Wendy Francis

At the end of every day, you can always think of three good things that happened.

Ellen McClarety is recently divorced from Max- a man she loves; but with his quick get rich schemes- life was hard. And it took a toll on their marriage- with her being the responsible one. After divorcing Max, Ellen finds herself the owner of the Singular Kringle. Ellen has put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making the Singular Kringle a place to come to, a place to find friendly faces, sweet treats and a tip for the day. Her hard work is paying off- and she’s beginning to feel really good about everything- until an email arrives.

Lanie, Ellen’s sister, is married, a lawyer, and has an adorable baby boy. Lanie is fighting the working vs mother issue- she’s feeling stressed about the hours at work and knowing that she’s missing out on important things at home with the baby. Between work and being a mother- Lanie’s missing out on husband/wife time- and begins to wonder about the state of her marriage.

With Ellen trying to balance a business and have a personal life; and Lanie trying to work, be a good mother and a wife- they rely on their mother’s advice about looking for 3 good things in the day. Between the advice and the sisterly bond- even the things that appear to be daunting or worrisome, can be overcome.

Three Good Things reminds readers that there should be a balance to life, that there will be sorrow, there will be happiness- but that life is like a kringle- no one ingredient should outweigh the others.

Recommended for beach bound readers, for people wanting a quick and easy read, and people who want to read something fun and lighthearted. Grab a glass of sweet tea and enjoy!

Lighthouse Bay by Kimberly Freeman

Lighthouse Bay by Kimberly Freeman takes two tales, stories that happened over a hundred years apart; yet the stories are intertwined in such a way that is believable and engaging.

Libby Slater- beautiful, smart, and grieving her lover who has recently passed away. Libby leaves her life in Paris to go to a cottage that her lover had bought her, a cottage that was meant for plans other than helping Libby grieve. While Libby is in Lighthouse Bay, she’s also hoping to make amends with her sister, Juliet, who she has not spoken to in many years. Libby and Juliet have not spoken in many years because Libby took part in an unforgiveable act- an act that hurt Juliet to her core. Will 20 years be enough time for the sisters to begin to mend the fences?

Isabella Winterbourne, the sole survivor of the Aurora, which sunk off the coast of Australia in 1901- finds herself in situation that is dire, yet tastes of freedom. Finding herself on Lighthouse Bay, she has an opportunity to rename herself, to find her life. To leave her husband’s family and make a run for freedom. Isabella knows it won’t be easy- but even she is not sure of how far the Winterbourne’s will go to find her.

While each story stands on it’s own as good, seeing how the stories are connected, the magical ways they are interweaved- elevates the stories from good to great. With themes of love, guilt and forgiveness- this is a book that is not to be missed.

Recommended.

Thanks to Touchstone Books for providing a review copy. The above review is my own thoughts and opinions.

Life After Life by Jill McCorkle

This is my first Jill McCorkle book- and I must say that I really enjoyed Jill’s way with words and the story-line she created.

The longest and most expensive journey you will ever take is the one to yourself…..

Death is a part of life. It’s not a part of life that many choose to focus on; but it is a part of life. For Joanna, the hospice volunteer at Pine Haven retirement center, death is something that quite literally helped save her life. Joanna, through choices- some good, some bad- had her experience; and it helped put some of life in perspective. While at Pine Haven, she helps the dying let go, and helps make the end of life as comfortable as possible for all involved.

Each resident at Pine Haven- Sadie, Stanley, Marge, Rachel, and Toby are at Pine Haven for various reasons. For some, death is near; for others- death will be coming, but there’s still time- time to make amends, time to right wrongs, time to make sure their family is in a good place. Sadly, there is time for regret for all the residents- regrets of what could have been or the way they should have lived.

Each resident has a story- and some of the stories overlap with Pine Haven’s workers and visitor- Joanna, CJ, and Abby. Jill McCorkle weaves all the stories, intertwines them in ways that at first the reader might not see how it connects- but when they do- it’s moments of greatness.

When I finished reading last night, I felt a mixture of emotions- happiness and sadness, mainly. I enjoyed how the story ended, for the most part, and I thought parts of the last few chapters were very fitting for the characters. Is it a perfect ending? Not exactly- there are some things I wished that were different; but it’s a good ending. Strongly suggest this as a book-club book or with a book-loving friend who will want to discuss- because there is plenty about this book that could (and will!) lead to a great discussion.

Recommended.