Book Review
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Format: Paperback - 352 pages
Kindle - 2641 KB
ISBN: 978-1503937154
ASIN: B01AXR6KDU
BNID: 978-1503937154
Genre: Women's Fiction
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chic Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Poring over a dusty hatbox of photographs in her grandmother’s closet, Emily Prentice is shocked to discover her father was married to his high school sweetheart before meeting her mother.
In the summer of 1968, Jack and Libbie fall in love under the spell of their small town, untouched by the chaos of the late sixties. Though Libbie’s well-to-do parents disapprove of Jack’s humble family and his aspiration to become a mechanic, she marries Jack a year after they graduate high school. But soon their happiness crumbles as Libbie’s mental state unravels and she is drawn to alcohol and drugs. Despite his efforts to help her, Jack loses the woman he loves and is forced to move on with his life.
Now that Emily’s mother has passed away, Jack is alone again, and Emily grows obsessed with the beautiful woman who had given her father such joy. Determined to find Libbie, Emily pieces together the couple’s fragmented past. But is it too late for happy endings?
My Book Review:
Finding Libbie is a poignant tale of love found, love lost, heartache, and a trail of memories that will captivate your heart and soul. The author weaves a beautiful and dramatic tale that follows Jack and Libbie's love story.
The story opens up with Emily Prentice discovering a hatbox of photographs of her father Jack with a young woman named Libbie. Unbeknownst to Emily, Jack and Libbie had been high school sweethearts who got married in 1968, but their short-lived marriage only lasted until the early 1970s. This touching love story takes the reader along on Jack and Libbie's emotional memory woven journey, it will draw you into their lives and will pull at your heartstrings. The author's descriptive writing style is phenomenal, she simply captivates your imagination and engages you to come along on the emotional roller coaster ride that is Jack and Libbie's love story, and then she brings you back to the present when Emily embarks on a search to find Libbie.
The author has created an intriguing cast of characters who are realistic and complex people that the reader can relate to. Their engaging personalities grab a hold of you with dialogues and interactions that leap off the pages. The emotions and passion between Jack and Libbie are palpable, you can't help but feel for them as they deal with personal demons and relationship issues. Libbie's struggle with mental illness and addiction is simply heart wrenching especially for Jack who loves her so much, author Deanna Lynn Sletten sure knows how to draw out the emotions from her readers! This emotionally charged story is one that everyone who believes in love should read, it is a powerfully compelling story that will leave you wanting more. I could easily see this novel as a Lifetime Channel movie.
Finding Libbie is a beautiful story of a couple's lost love through old memories and a painful past brought to the surface by a loving daughter who wants to help her father find love and happiness again. This love story is one for the ages, it will resonate with you long after the last word has been read.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
Deanna Lynn Sletten writes heartwarming women's fiction and romance novels with unforgettable characters. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime. She began her writing career self-publishing three novels in 2012 and has since published eleven novels. Her latest novel, Finding Libbie, is her second book published by Lake Union Publishing. Deanna believes in fate, destiny, love at first sight, soul mates, second chances, and happily ever after, and her novels reflect that.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing in the boat on the lake in the summer.
Deanna loves hearing from her readers.
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Book Tour Event
Tour Schedule:
September 6 - Chick Lit Plus
September 7 - Book Lover in Florida
September 8 - The Book Sirens
September 9 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews
September 9 - Granny Loves to Read
Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you so much for this heartfelt review of Finding Libbie. My heart danced when I read it. I'm so happy you enjoyed it and that you could share your thoughts about it with your readers. Finding Libbie was a difficult story to write, but it was a story I wanted to write. It is gratifying to know that readers are appreciating it.
Hi Deanna! Thank you for the opportunity to feature Finding Libbie on my blog. I loved, loved, loved this story. :)
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