Beth Morrey

I was really hoping for a sort of older woman coming of age, finds herself and her confidence and launches into a great second life story...this was not it. Millicent is a generally unlikable character who somehow makes friends despite hating herself. I won't give away any specific plot points but I went into this with a "it can only get better" attitude and left sad and defeated. Also, the level of alcoholism in this book baffled me. I kept on hoping that maybe Millicent might get some help for this and that was why drinking and hangovers were their own storyline but I guess I will post one spoiler in that she just keeps on drinking a lot.… (altro)

I like the cover for Beth Morrey's new book - Clover Hendry's Day Off. The title immediately brought Ferris Bueller's Day Off to mind. In the author's notes, Morrey alludes to the movie as well.
Clover is a middle-aged mom, daughter, sister, wife, friend and beleaguered employee. What would happen if for one day, she just did what she wanted and said what she wanted? Over the course of a day, Clover does just that. I think everybody has felt this way at some point and time. And how does that work out for Clover you ask?

Well, that's the fun in this book. Clover hasn't really thought about her actions, instead she just jumps in. Some of her behaviour is fun, but some is a little darker and hurtful. So, the book isn't all 'Ferris' fun. There are some family and past issues that finally see the light. Clover's job is also a large part of the day. She works as a television executive. Morrey has a similar background and these parts of the plot benefits from that insider knowledge. While I appreciated the details 'behind the scenes', I found my attention start to drift.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but I do think it could have been shortened up a bit… (altro)

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael was definitely a lifelong love story that you could never have imagined. From the love she felt for the friends in the park, to her daughter, son, and husband. Missy was definitely an onion with many layers. I felt it easy to sympathize with her, maybe because I consider myself an introvert with a heart. One of my passions is interior design, and I loved hearing about her huge mansion decorated from another time era. I like the fact that the story was interwoven with facts that let you know that the present was not too far off from 2020. And the way Missy felt about the dog that claimed her is the same way that I feel about the Pomeranian my husband forced me to adopt! It is a book you don't want to put down once you open it! It was also so different from any other love story I had ever read. It was also real. There were genuine HUGE conflicts within the book that many readers may appreciate. I can't wait to read more of Beth Morrey's books!… (altro)

A gorgeous little gem of a book, Saving Missy made me laugh and cry and, most of all, fall in love with Missy herself.

At times a very hard character to get attached to, Missy undergoes a wonderful development over the course of the book, and I was delighted to see her slowly let her defences down and open up to the possibility of real, loving human relationships. The side characters were for the most part charming and well-developed, with a few who came across as a bit two-dimensional for my taste.

I had some issues with the pacing, as some parts (especially towards the middle) felt just too slow and a bit like filler content, but overall this was an excellent, heartwarming book.
I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.… (altro)