Title: Here, Home, Hope: A Novel
Author: Kaira Rouda
Genre: Fiction
About: (Goodreads synopsis) Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.
My thoughts: Kaira Rouda’s debut novel tells the story of how one woman figures out how to take control of her life and help others at the same time. Kelly is at a point where her two sons don’t need her like they did when they were little boys. After a health scare Kellly feels a nagging pull to change things but she’s not sure what or how. She starts a T2C list – Things to Change. Her list is written on Post-it notes which are strewn around her kitchen and car to remind her of specifics to change such as:
- Capitalize on skills
- Don’t compare yourself to others
- Don’t forget the care and feeding of friends
- Take it one day at a time
She soon discovers that the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere – her friends’ lives aren’t as perfect as they seem. One day a realtor friend asks Kelly, who is known for her exquisite decorating, to help stage a house she is selling. Kelly agrees to help her friend and the house sells immediately. She realizes this could be a new career and starts the wheels in motion. Although I thought it all came together a bit too easily I was cheering for her as things fell into place.
I think Here, Home, Hope would be a great book club selection. Any woman will be able to relate to Kelly and her friends on some level and might even want to use Kelly’s T2C list as a template for making changes in her own life.
Recommend? Yes, I enjoyed it and look forward to Kaira Rouda’s next novel.
Source: BookSparks PR
Great review…I’m reading this right now and am enjoying it. I can definitely relate to Kelly at times!
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Great review, Mary 🙂
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This does sound entertaining. I can overlook it when things come together so easily in a book or a movie, so that part probably wouldn’t bother me too much.
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some great changes to make.
I shall suggest that my reading groups consider this as a possible read, thanks for the recommendation.
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Glad you liked it too!
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Mary!
Thank you for a wonderful review of Here, Home, Hope! As a debut novelist, there is something so magical about reading a warm, positive review. It keeps my heart smiling for days.
It’s so great to have book lovers like you out in the world! I have started to hear from book clubs who are reading Here, Home, Hope ~ so I agree, it does make a good book club choice as there are many topics for discussion.
Thank you again for taking the time to read and review my novel – and I’m so happy you liked it!
Very truly,
Kaira
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It does sound like a good book club book. Much to talk about 🙂
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I think it’s the empty nest feeling that I dread come 10-15 years from now… trying to convince the boys to live with me forever… now comes the hard part… how to do so 😉
I agree with everyone here- another perfect review. It gives us an insight into Rouda’s book. Will suggest this one next to the book club here.
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I really enjoyed this story and also look forward to more from the author!
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As long as the plot is good and it’s easy to relate to the characters, a little bit of contrivance is okay. Glad you liked the book, Mary, and your willingness to read another by the author says a lot.
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This one sounds right up my alley. I would love to just stumble into a new career 😀
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As a 39 year old this rings close to home. Of course with a 7 month old (today!) I don’t have time to change a lot right now!
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This sounds sort of cute. I’m still a bit far away from a midlife crisis, of course, but I think I still might be able to relate. :O)
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Great review Mary. This definitely sounds like a book I would like!
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