Elizabeth Reilly

Thank you to LibraryThing and the author Elizabeth Reilly for providing me with an e-copy of Debbie's Memorable Year in exchange for an honest review. The book is a character study of Debbie, a teacher who will soon retire. The novel is divided into 12 chapters, from January to December. It reads like a diary of someone who is transitioning on many levels of her life. One would think that the subject might prove somewhat bland but, to the contrary, it flows well and keeps the reader fully interested. I recommend it to anyone who wants a quiet read with a good storyline and engaging characters.… (mehr)

hen-lit, comfortable, journey-of-life, journaling, romance

As Debbie prepares for her retirement from teaching, she begins to notice some disturbing changes in her 89 year old mother who lives alone in the family home. As the months move along Debbie notices more and more and begins to realize that mum needs some more minding than she can do from 2 hours away. Shortly after she has discussed her concerns with the local GP and social services, mum falls and breaks a hip, solving one issue but bringing another. In the process of things, Debbie learns that she once had a younger brother who died in infancy that she never knew about as well as learning slightly more about an aunt who had been banished while a teen and never heard from again. Amazingly enough, Debbie's cousin soon hears from the aunt's daughter and soon both come for a visit from Boston. A very comfortable book, well worth reading. Won't spoil things by going further, but I will confirm that romance is coming as well. About the Hen Lit, chick lit seems inappropriate for folks hovering sixty, don't you think?… (mehr)