Read at one sitting; well-written and quietly gripping. I will be looking for her other books. ( )

Family

Good read, in Jeannette's usual easy writing style. Because THE GLASS CASTLE is one of my all-time favorites, I knew this likely wouldn't be as good (this is fiction, TGC isn't.) I also enjoyed her second novel, and although I really enjoyed this east-to-read story, the reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there wasn't as much plot as her other two books. Again, those were memoirs, so I guess it shows real life is even more bizarre than fiction! ;) ( )

A great read, thoroughly entertaining, well written, funny, heart wrenching at times, definitely worth a read. ( )

While I recommend this book, it is done so with a caveat that it deals with some heavy subjects, such as abandonment, abuse, sexual misconduct, bullying, and mental health issues.

In small town California in 1970, two sisters await their mother who once again decided to take off and leave them alone. Usually she returns in a timely manner, but not so for this most recent time. The girls are isolated and very poor. Their mother leaves enough money for them to buy some pot pies at a local grocery store.

The Holladay sisters are only twelve and fifteen. Somehow their mother believes they are old enough to consistently be left alone. Bean and her older sister live in poverty. Their mother deems herself a talented singer. She vows to find the man who will discover her, help her to be "found," and accept the daughters so they might all live a full life.

In order to live her life, mother Charlotte tells lies. Her most recent lie to her daughters is fraught with holes. Claiming a well to do man has discovered her and knows she has great talent, she writes letters that seem to be written by the mystery man. Only this time, Bean doesn't believe her. And, realizing the truth leads to great misery.

When their mother who doesn't come home after a long period of time , Liz, the older sister who can usually take care of both of them, knows the gig is up her younger sister sees police looking in the house windows, and the man who owns the grocery store has some straightforward questions that are not answered. Liz gets together enough money to enable the girls to travel to the town in Virginia where their mother's Uncle lives.

Deciding to just show up is the best way to go, Liz believes the Uncle Tinsley and his wife will take care of them, and hopefully love them enough to provide some semblance of stability.

Bean discovers the real story behind who her biological father is, as tales swirl regarding their mother and her behavior. There is no Aunt, but Uncle Tinsley is a kind older man who does the very best he can for the girls. Not wanting to be a burden, the girls decided to help by doing wash and babysitting for Jerry Maddox, a hard, difficult and nasty man who runs the town's major source of income for those who live there -- a mill.

Jerry Maddox is cruel to everyone who works for him, and anyone who comes under his radar. All to soon, Bean's older sister has a major personality shift. Usually the strong one, the one who always finds a way for them to survive is depressed and very withdrawn. Something has occurred to Liz, and it has to do with Jerry.

There are some shining moments of good times regarding living with Uncle Tinsley. He is a kind man who will do what he can to get to the bottom of what happened to Liz, and to bring justice to bully, inappropriate, nasty Jerry Maddox.

Four Stars for this book, but I struggled with the sheer unrelenting hard times the girls have to live with. Thankfully, Uncle Tinsley is the shining star that is needed. ( )