Come Walk with Me

by Joan Medlicott

From Joan Medlicott, the nationally bestselling creator
of the beloved Ladies of Covington series, comes an inspiring,
hope-filled tale of a woman who finds the courage to begin
a journey that will lead to a whole new life.


When Claire Bennett's husband died, she felt directionless. Their thriving antiques business and beautiful house in the Hamptons, the social scene and her volunteer work -- all seemed empty without Phillip. Estranged from her adult daughter and son, Claire knows that in the depths of her heart she still mourns a terrible loss from a tragic accident years ago.

Fleeing her memories, Claire moves to a condo in Florida, then impulsively leaves to visit her engaged daughter in North Carolina. From the sandy beaches of Boca Raton to a tiny farm tucked high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Claire gains self-awareness through the unexpected kindness of strangers, and finally forces herself to confront some hard truths from the past.

Finding a joy in life that has been missing for many years, Claire at last reaches out to her son and daughter. And when the healing of old wounds leads her to a new love, Claire realizes that her travels have brought her to a place where she will never again walk alone.

Genres: Fiction, Death, Family, Womens Fiction, Friendship

259 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2007

About the author

Joan Medlicott lives with her husband in Barnardsville, North Carolina, where she conducts the popular Tea on the Porch workshops.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recent widow working through her grief, makes some mistakes but finally does her grief work and repairs relationship with her kids.

My big beef with the story was that the dead hubby was "bad in bed" even though she loved him she was very frustrated. In widowhood she had a chance to find a passionate man that was her equal in that arena and the author totally had her "settle" for a comfortable family friend that she was fond of.
I guess wives are just not supposed to expect hubbies to be be smoking sexy hot in bed. Sigh. Or is the message that women shouldn't be passionate in bed themselves? Both upset me.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The journey ends when you find your way home...' or so the old saying goes. However, when Claire Bennett's husband Phillip died, she was utterly devastated. Nowhere felt like home anymore and Claire felt lost and directionless. The couple's thriving antiques business and their beautiful house in the Hamptons, the social scene and Claire's volunteer work - everything just seemed so empty and meaningless for Claire without Phillip by her side.

Claire also knows that from the depths of her heart she still mourns a terrible loss from a tragic accident that happened years ago. In her mind, she truly believes that it is this heartbreaking loss which ultimately led to her estrangement from her adult children - her daughter, Amanda and her son, Paul. Claire is convinced that her sadness and grief is unending, and can honestly say that from where she stands, there is absolutely no light to be found at the end of this tunnel.

Desperately fleeing from her painful memories, Claire moves to a condo in Florida. Settling down in Boca Raton, at least for a little while, Claire then impulsively decides to visit her recently engaged daughter in North Carolina. From the sandy beaches of Boca Raton to a tiny farm tucked high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Claire eventually gains a self-awareness through the unexpected kindness of strangers. Her acceptance of such kindness, forces Claire to finally confront some harsh truths from the past.

She finally acknowledges to herself that she has lost so much more than just her husband and the close, loving relationships with her children. Claire admits to herself that her zest for life has diminished; her joyful demeanor is gone. The joy she once found in living her life has apparently been missing for many years, and now that she has found it again Claire at last reaches out to her son and daughter, hoping to somehow reconnect with them. And when the healing of old wounds leads her to a second chance for new love, Claire realizes that all her travels have brought her to a place where she will never again walk alone.

I must say that while I enjoyed reading this book very much, I found myself not really liking the main character. At least, I felt that way about her towards the beginning of the story; my feelings for her changed as I continued to read the book. The plot was certainly intriguing, and I really wanted to see how the story would develop. I have three other books by Joan Mendlicott - from her Ladies of Covington Series - sitting on my bookshelf. While I'm not quite sure how interesting these books will be, I would certainly give this book a strong A!

[Kira FlowerChild · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the subject matter in this book very relevant to the stage of life I'm in right now. That kept me reading it when I would normally have discarded it after the first few pages. The main character is going through a major change in her life and searching to find a "new normal." If you are in a similar position, transitioning from college to the job market, for example, or as in my case, dealing with empty nest syndrome, you may find this book interesting and somewhat comforting, as the main character quite often stumbles and makes mistakes before she does, indeed, settle into a new life.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Described as a gentle book. Apt title. Feel good book of widowed woman, her grief, coming to gripes with it, yet leaves one hanging a bit at the end.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a three-and-a-half star book for me. I'm giving it four stars because the premise--growth and redemption through self-examination--resonated with me. That being said, I feel the book contained quite a few missed opportunities. It was a short novel and an easy read, but that may have been its downfall--too short, too easy. All of the characters, including Claire Bennett herself, felt paper-thin. Had more time been spent fleshing out the players in the story, the growth experiences would have felt more authentic. As it was, I was left wishing that giant leaps from one mindset to another would have been more thoroughly mapped out--and with a bit more conflict and self-realization before the resolution. I do believe that a thoroughly unlikeable chracter such as Claire can, through a series of trials and epiphanies, evolve into a better version of herself that I can root for; I'd just have liked to see more of the process of evolution. The book was a pleasant enough read but left a lot on the table.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire Bennet's husband died suddenly eighteen months ago but she still refers to him in the present tense. Her therapist has suggestions of things Claire can do to help her move on. This is a story of how our past can haunt us until we finally put those ghosts to rest. Claire is barely on speaking terms with her two adult children. She and Phillip were business partners in a successful antique store as well as husband and wife. Now Claire is alone and adrift. She realizes that she never took the time to develop close friendships. She makes some hasty decisions which she soon regrets.
I did not care for Claire when I first started reading this book. Joan Medlicott allowed the reader to see more of the character as the story progressed. Claire's lonely and difficult childhood as well as the death of her son compounded with the unexpected death of her husband all threw her into a downward spiral which forced her to confront some hard truths from the past.

[Laurie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read 1/3 of this book before returning it to library.Claire,our protagonist, is seeing a therapist due to the fact her husband "left her". I wanted to slap her in the face and in one chapter so did the therapist. Her husband died of cancer. She built his life for him at sake of her own happiness. She wanted another marriage like that,to build up the husband,not think of herself in any way.Her kids don't talk to her, I wouldn't either.Against all advise of a dear friend and her therapist,she sells everything and moves to Florida. She is not happy there either.BUT at this time,she is sleeping with every man that crosses her path. I had no empathy for this woman.I just could not take any more of this book.I doubt I will ever read this author again.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very different book to read; not like others that Joan Medlicott has written. The main character in this book, Claire Bennett's husband has died, and she is directionless. She can't seem to move on. I didn't like her at all, nor did I like the way she treated her children (past and present). She seemed to be a person that only cared about herself and her well-being. She went from place-to-place, and was never happy. Until the end of the book. Then I liked her as a character. I liked what she taught me, and how she made me reflect on what kind of a person I was. Self-awareness.

Discussion questions were included. This would be an interesting book club selection.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first I really disliked the main character but as I read on my feelings mellowed. This is a story about a widow who had to struggle to find herself and mend relationships. It is a believable story.

I look forward to getting back to the Covington series.

[Tiffany Manning · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just never "got into" this book. The story was not pleasing to me and I became bored with the main character.
I would not recommend this novel as a heart-warming/feel good read and wished that I had not wasted my time on it.

[NancyL Luckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Medlicott knows women

I’ve read her other books and loved them. Her characters have different personalities but blend with each other. Almost disappointed with the rich bitch this one is about but came around as I read.

[Jennifer Landes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. I really didn't like the main character and her way of thinking. Although she did relax some, she never grew on me.

[LInda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

NEED TO RE-READ THIS TO WRITE A REVIEW.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Bennett is a widow searching to find a new life.

[Denise Gobble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I would read this through to the end. as the principle person was so intent on needing a man to fulfill her life. I did keep on though and found it a good read.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting family tale about major crisis events and how they affect those left behind.

[Katherine Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book and the main character had a stiff start. It was rewarding to feel them both soften and grow through the story. Enjoyed the read.

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. It was light easy reading. I have read the Covington books by this author and learned to love those characters. The main character in this book seems to be a combo of all three Covington ladies. It is very easy to dislike Claire Bennett. However, as she discovers herself, you see more and more of that dislike fading away. I am sure that if this book turned into a series, the reader would find herself liking Claire more and more.

This would be a good beach book, holds your attention, but goes not go too deep. Does not demand anything from the reader.

[Jean Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the Covington series by JM the protagonist in this book is a recent widow who's is reassessing her life. I like the questions her characters ask themselves which leads me to ask myself those same questions. Except for the fact that her women characters find all sorts of men to be in their lives, i find JM's characters to be very real people. She also tends to have the people and circumstances appear as the characters "need" them, which doesn't happen in real life, but that moves the story along. JM includes the ordinary humor in life, she does not manufacture humor, but it's there. I enjoy her writing and will continue to read her books.

[Crystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up on a shelf in the library titled "Great book club books." Needless to say, about 70 pages in I realized this is just a trashy romance novel trying to disguise itself as a "finding out who you are" book. Don't waste your time with this one. With cheesy phrases such as "the sunrise was like melted butter spreading across the horizon" in almost every paragraph, you almost want to gag. Not to mention the fact that it was boring. I think the only reason I got to page 70 was that I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't.

[L.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book a member of our library book club passed it to me. She has known me for 5 years and thought I would like the novel. After 5 days I had finished and related to concepts presented within the story line. There are so many little post it tabs for quotes you may read in the quotes section. I thank my friend for sharing! Thank you, Joan Medicott for writing a book with wisdom.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gentle read to escape to. Claire tries to deal with her unhappiness after her husband's death with the help of a therapist and by making impulsive moves that she finds to be destructive to that sought for happiness; however, with the help of supportive people, she is able to make necessary changes that bring happiness and fulfillment to her.

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was honestly VERY disappointed with this book. I wish there was a little bit more . . . substance . . . from this story. I really don't know what else to say, except that the story line would have been better formed.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joan Medlicott writes what I call granny lit. This is yet another one. Widow has difficulty adjusting to her husband's death and her strained relationship with her adult children. Date rape drugs used on a senior citizen was a little hard to believe...

[Solomong · Rating 3 out of 5]

The phrase 'gentle book' seems to aptly describe this one. It's a light read and for fans of Joan Medlicott has some different characters than he series 'Ladies of Covington'. It's a comfortable read for a cold winter day.

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depresssing tale of a woman whose spouse died She was estranged from her two children as well. Story followed her trying to rebuild her life. She moved, dated etc. Her daughter got married and then had a miscarriage. The story was so sad and really not that good of a read

[Pat Jorgenson Waterchilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I do enjoy this author. Her sense of life and common sense along with the struggles life poses for us all, makes her novel an enjoyable read. This story kept me turning the pages and nodding in agreement while hoping all will turn out all right in the end. Another great gentle read!

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book turned borderline sappy in places and the mother / daughter reunion was just too quick to be believable.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoy her covington series but this one was just depressing and annoying

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the ladies of Covington more, partly because Claire Bennett was self-centered and not very likeable.