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This is the story about three women (or maybe I should say 4?)

It starts with Kathleen telling her daughter Joelle about her upbringing in a family with a thief for a father,a resigned mother who favors her younger brothers,and the live in maternal communist uncle.They are poor and because of the fathers and brothers shenanigans have a very poor reputation in the city where they live.

Kathleen through a friends mother finds solace in religion and the chance she might leave one day and never come back.She cant believe how her shabby mother is the daughter of the elegant Fiona.

Then we get to Eleanors (Kathleens mothers) story and how she came to turn from a classy young woman to a woman who is just subsisting.

Finally its the grandmothers story and how her deep dark secret came to influence the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Intepersed between these chapters are the mother-daughter chats beetween Kathleen and Joelle.

I didnt know the author was a devout christian when I started reading this book.I might not have picked it up if I had known.At first it wasnt that noticeable.

There were signs in it of Kathleen finding such a comfort in God,and the grandmothers final act of calling her local priest to make peace with God. As the book went on it became even more clearer.

While this was an ok book I found that there were several things that irked me about.Not like it was a truly horrible book but like it was written for someone who was...well not me.

I found it a bit strange that Kathleen had no idea what become of her brothers after she left.Yes I know she wanted to leave it all behind her but they were still family and the siblings not trying to find out what happened to their sister was also a bit strange.

I found that the bit about Eleanors first marriage husband pretending to have died in WWII and secretly annulling the marriage was very melodramatic.

Another thing was how the women were made out to be like these victims of circumstance and of men.Like how the author wanted to emphasize that men were these flawed creatures whose shortcomings (adultery,thieving,lying about being dead) women had to ENDURE in a graceful manner.

It ends on a bittersweet tone when its remarked how much like her grandmother Joelle(Kathleens daughter) looks.

Found Joelle a bit of a dunderhead for not knowing who Greta Garbo was ( )

A tale of family secrets, forgiveness, & reconciliation in the story of three generations of women: Kathleen, her mother Eleanor, and her grandmother Fiona.

This was a story that grabbed my attention and held it all the way through. You have to keep your focus though, because it switches back and forth to the present time and then takes you back to the past and helps you understand the main character and the reasons for why her grandmother, Fiona, her mother, Eleanor, and herself had struggles in their life. It is not a feel good, romantic novel, but a very well told story of the lives of three generations of women, and understanding all they went through.

Kathleen fled her home 35 years ago, running from poverty and shame. An invitation to go back to her hometown is initially cast into the trash. But after a huge disagreement with her daughter and a failure to communicate with her, her husband suggests that Kathleen and her daughter, Joelle, take the road trip and get to know one another. So begins the story; first Kathleen will have time to tell Joelle her story and the sad life she once lived. Then others will begin to weave the story behind Kathleen's mother and then Kathleen's grandmother. It was all very well written and kept me constantly keeping each lady separate, but recognizing how they all affected one another.

I had a hard time putting this story down once I began. It is a sad story really, but I felt the truth that Kathleen's father shared at the end of the book showed how Christ can truly change a person and the bitterness and sadness can be replaced with the peace that comes from knowing Him! Well done Lynn Austin. ( )

Rating: To Come

**Please note, I have not read this book yet.**

Soooo, I found this book at my local thrift store, that I tend to frequent and buy from often. So while browsing through their large selection of second hand books, I came across this catchy title. When I pulled it down from the shelf I was stunned to see such a beautiful cover. Now, let me first say that I am largely attracted to beautiful covers. I find that the more beautiful the cover, the more I enjoy the book. I know, weird right?! Anyway, I bought this book solely on the fact that had a beautifully vintage cover, and I could not walk away without having this book in my possession. When I got home, and searched it on Goodreads, I was happy to find that not only does it have a gorgeous cover but that it is historical Christian fiction novel centered around a 4 generation family with secrets. Wow, I feel like I just hit the jackpot of a book. I cannot wait to dive into this book. It seems like the perfect book to read on a summer day while laying on the sundeck of boat drinking and iced tea.

Full review to come upon completing.

**Please note for my blog viewers, this is not a YA novel.**