Left Turn at Cloud 9

by Sarah J. Faulkner

What would you do if you inherited a century’s worth of mysteries? On the morning of her birthday, Emma dreams of flying above an unfamiliar landscape. But dreaming is as close as she has ever come to the happiness she longs for. Devastated by childlessness and divorce, she is isolated and deeply depressed. Then a package arrives on that fateful birthday. Inside is a picture straight out of her dream, a package of… tea? And a letter signed with her Emma Rae Wright. Add to that a phone call from a lawyer in California, and Emma is catapulted into a journey across country and across decades. How does a confirmed recluse juggle attractive men, priceless Russian jewels, ageless relatives, angry fathers, and tea that has rather… curious properties? From her grungy Michigan apartment to sun-dappled redwood forests, from a dead-end job to a partnership in an exotic and unusual company, Emma’s life gets tangled beyond recognition. Desperate to make sense of ever more baffling circumstances, Emma is forced to face her own inner demons as well as the extraordinary legacy left behind by a woman who disappeared without a trace over ninety years ago.

248 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2012

Reviews

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this one when I was searching Amazon to see if and when Sarah Addison Allen had something new. This book was listed as a read-alike. I decided to take a chance, and I'm very glad I did. This is perfect for fans of Allen. It is feel-good, magical realism that will bring a smile to your face and leave you in a better place. It is a story of old tragedies and pain, eventually made right. Of friends who stand by through thick and thin and friends who know one another instantly. The characters were interesting and likeable and the ending fit just right.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book last night and finished it this afternoon. I read more like a short story to me, and I was surprised when I realized it ended. It is a fun story of a 50 year old woman who receives an inheritance which includes a home in California,amazing gardens, and a tea business that is wonderful and mystical.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen's books, you will enjoy this read. I think it is set up for a sequel -- if not it gets four starts for wrapping up too quickly. Plus it was nice to read a book with a strong female character that was in their fifties and not their twenties!!

[Sarah Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I originally started reading this book purely based on the author's name, I actually really enjoyed it. The premise was intriguing, but while the author wove together a really compelling foundation, she never fully delivered on the promise for me. The loose strings were fairly neatly tied up at the end, but I felt there was a lot of story left on the table that should have been more deeply explored.

[Shannan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I have been looking for a book as magical as the ones of Sarah Addison Allen's. Although I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the premise, I just didn't fall in love with it and was able to put it down several times without much fuss.
I would def read this on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

[Lori Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

One of those awesome stories you don't want to end. I loved the characters and storyline, really hope there's a second or fifth book! Wonderful, mostly happy, great escape.

[Kristina Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I couldn't put it down & I didn't want the story to end. Great book. Looking for more by Sarah J. Faulkner. :)

[Geoffrey Nutting · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it.I felt having Emma descended from the tsar's family was an unnecessary stretch: it draws too much attention from the rest of the story, & makes it sound like something you'd read about on the front page of National Enquirer. The presence of Ben turned the story into a romance, and detracted from Emma's exploration of her new self. Petie could have served as a good foil for Emma's explorations, but less dramatically.

[Starla · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much to love about this book, especially the characters and the sense of fun and whimsy. The writing is wonderful and draws the reader in to the story. However, the heavy-handed foreshadowing never led to anything at all, the figurative "smoking gun" was never followed up on, and mysteries galore were left unexplained. The reader is told that one character is going to do something horrible, but by the end of the book he had done not one thing wrong. The very abrupt ending was extremely unsatisfying. It feels very much as if they ripped the book in half and only sold the first half, yet there's nothing to indicate the forthcoming publication of the second half. Or, at the very least it feels as though the author feels the ending wraps up all the plot threads, loose ends, and tangents of the story, when it absolutely does not. Please don't mistake my meaning. I like the ending, but I wish the random loose ends had been dealt with.

Good editing could have smoothed over the problems if they had only taken the time and made the effort. This is a gem in the rough that should have been much more.

Edit to add: Over a month later I feel more strongly than ever that this book could have been extraordinary if they had taken the time to edit properly. What they did is a shame.

Edit to add: Two years after the publication of Left Turn at Cloud 9, the author released a new novel that bears many similarities in theme, but which is not the second half of this book. Boo.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because it was in the same genre as Sarah Addison Allen's books. It was, but it got stupid. It started out very promising with mystery and a little magic. Then a lot of magic made it dumb. Another reason why I didn't like it was because(being honest here) the main character was 50. I'm not supposed to relate to someone so old, but damn, she's not much older than me.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, whimsical book. This was a delightful read. I stumbled across this book and I am very glad that I purchased it. At first I was not sure I was going to like it, but the more I read of it the more I loved it. If you love the books of Sarah Addison Allen, you will love this book. Happy Reading!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun, easy read with likable, believable characters. There were some unexpected turns in the plot, and the ending is perfect. Read this when you need a light escape. Wish I could find more like this one.

[Norah B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it - but somehow the characters were flat.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this story!

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. A quick read, with an interesting mix of history, fantasy, love, and friendship.

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Very light, happy story with a fun little magical mystery.

[Autumn Uchacz-mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly sweet. Not very well written, but enjoyable.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, but had mixed feelings about the ending. A little more character development would have helped as well.

[Cara L. Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Could not put this book down. The author surprises at every turn and I enjoyed every minute of it! Strange story but very entertaining!

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! I loved the story, the characters and the fantasy. I would love to read a sequel.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Please, please, please let their be a sequel.