A Piece of Normal

by Sandi Kahn Shelton

Dear Lily . . .

At age thirty-four, Lily Brown has her life just the way she likes it. And what’s not to like? She’s got a great job as an advice columnist for the local newspaper, an adorable four-year-old son, and an ex-husband, Teddy, who still thinks she’s wonderful. She even lives in the same beach house where she grew up, with a great view of Long Island Sound and plenty of beach roses to smell.

So what if she won’t let herself date anyone until she finds a new girlfriend for Teddy, who happens to still be hung up on her? So what if she hasn’t changed a thing in her parents’ house, even twelve years after their tragic deaths? So what if it’s been ten years since she’s heard from her younger sister, Dana, who stormed out of the house in a rage when she was a teenager? Lily is fine.

But it’s funny how life has a way of upsetting even the most perfectly laid-out plans, and when one night Lily finds herself painting ghastly orange highlights into her lovely auburn hair, even she suspects that she’s been in something of a rut. And then, when her long-lost little sister shows up, bringing with her the fun and drama and hell-raising spontaneity Lily has missed, her life suddenly takes a turn for the unexpected.

To Lily’s chagrin, Dana’s energy seems to enthrall everyone, especially Teddy. As the tension between the sisters escalates, Dana reveals decades-old family secrets that she’s been burdened with all these years, and Dear Lily must heed her own advice about accepting life’s messiness and chaos.

With her trademark blend of sparkling wit and characters you can’t forget, Sandi Kahn Shelton tells a compelling and universal story of two sisters who learn what they need to let go of, and what they have to hold on to as tightly as they can.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

340 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sandra Hutchison]

Glad I looked this up before my Kindle Unlimited trial ended. I enjoy everything by this author. Her characters are sympathetic, and there are always some great laughs and some good feels and a moral universe in which choices matter. I was a little frustrated with this one, though. I think the book (and MC) were too forgiving of a character who reads like the most godawful narcissistic sociopath you'll ever run across outside of thrillers and murder mysteries. I ended it hoping for more boundaries, not fewer, and that doesn't happen very often. Still a fun read, though. (BTW the ebook cover with the cupcakes has absolutely zero to do with the book. It's just some generic chick lit cover they slapped on it, like they couldn't be bothered to even read a synopsis. Ugh.)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this author's most recent book and really liked it, so I requested her other books from the library. After reading a second book by this author, I'm definitely a fan. Her stories immediately draw you in and are easy reading. This one centers around Lily Brown whose life is in a rut and how that changes when her sister Dana comes back to town after ten years. That's a VERY basic summary; it sounds like other books, but this plot is definitely unique.

[Melissa T · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is just weird. Weird! Odd characters, bizarre relationships (VERY bizarre) between characters, and strange plot line. Now that I've used every synonym for "weird" I can think of without busting out the thesaurus, I'd better stop. Don't bother with this one.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I liked it's pace. It kept my interest and I quite enjoyed the twisted up relationships.

It was so funny too.

Easy to read and there is nothing wrong with that. I about broke my head open reading Wuthering Heights.

[Anissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I couldn't stop reading. It was not totally predictable, but it was also not completely unbelievable. I will defiantly read this author again.

[Jenny T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily Brown's life is okay and becomes disrupted when her estranged younger sister, Dana, returns to their home in CT and stirs things up. Can Lily, who works as a newspaper advice columnist, advise herself out of her own dysfunctional situation? I enjoyed how the author depicted these characters realistically but also with some humor to make this a very readable story. A quote from the book that seems to sum things up: "Suffice it to say that the human race isn't as lovely as some would have us believe. Everybody's got a little skeleton dancing around in a closet somewhere."

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was okay. It is a typical "I have to change my life" novel about a woman who's parents died and she had to take care of her crazy little sister. The sister disappeared for 10 years and is now back hoping to be fully accepted. The sister starts dating the ex-husband, they find out about their mother's lesbian affair, she meets a hunky new Super Man, and tries to tie the broken CT beach community back together. However, she realizes it never was perfect. It was all pretty typical and predictable. I liked it enough to read it in one day, though.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up after reading "Kissing Games of the World" which is by the same author. Not nearly as good as Kissing Games and more in the Chicklit genre, but still a good read. There are a few pretty heavy topics addressed it this book, but it doesn't feel heavy in the way the author presents the story. Strangely, at the beginning, it reminded me of an episode of Pushing Up Daisies . . . heavy topics, yet it feels whimsical and everyone is a bit odd.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

You won't gain any brain cells by reading this book, but it's different from your usual "chick lit" and pretty entertaining. Her profession as an advice columnist adds an interesting element. I stayed up until midnight on a work night to finish the book and I didn't regret it, which is a big compliment in my world.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty average storyline - Lily Brown, advice columnist, deals with her ex-husband (who won't go away and ends up hooked up with her sister), same sister (returned after running away 10 years earier), the "colony" old neighbors set in their ways and a new man in her life. Just needed a bit more spunk.

[Bamboozlepig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another DNF. The humor was okay, but a few chapters in and none of the characters called to me. I'd class this as slightly heavy chick-lit, but full of the usual cliches of fucked up families and ex-husbands and a hot new dude the female character wants to bang. Also plenty of family secrets and a set of sisters that can't get along. Meh.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was better than most light "women's fiction." The author steered clear of heavy-handed imagery and similes, and I thought she used dialogue and flashbacks in a way that kept me interested. The ending was predictable, but decent. All in all, an enjoyable read.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best part of this book was that you can understand that sometimes you want to change who you are so badly, you make snap decisions that you regret...like bleaching her hair and then leaving the bleach in too long because she was distracted...

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanted to smack the younger sister, and shake her 'till her teeth rattled. She needed a Cher to Nick Cage ala "Moonstruck" smack. I wanted to shout "Get over it!" to her several times and could not belive her gaul. Can't say much else or I'll give it away.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, easy read. Somewhat predictable, but still enjoyable. I never figured out if the baby would be Lily's son's cousin or brother. It drove me crazy that nobody dwelled on that oddity and how to explain it to the boy, or how they would deal with this bizarre twist. Oh well.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a random pick from the library - and I enjoyed it quite a bit... I smiled for the last few books I've read all have to do with forgiveness and letting go... maybe that's a reminder I need right now :o) a few less pleasant words - but overall a pleasant read!

[Sanjeedha Sanofer · Rating 1 out of 5]

the story deals with many complicated relationships which don't have any thick standing in our hearts..on the whole..there is no proper plot and the whole characterization is quite blatant..worst one..

[Veronica]

I'll give the same review as the other book. Interesting read, but too close in story-line to her other book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fact that everything doesn't wrap up perfectly well at the end. I'm left wondering what's going to happen with everyone. Highly dysfunctional family, but aren't they all.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just read this, liked it. easy reading, amusing

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe only 2.5 stars——I enjoyed it. Light, but that's what I wanted. A different story than the usual.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book right up until the end. She wasn't as strong as I hoped she'd be...she put up with way to much crap from other people.

[Peggy Julicher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just something to read on the beach.

[Teena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. An easy read that Kept you wanting more.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story; I enjoyed the author's humor and the quirky characters.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, very crazy!

[Jill Moroney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I liked the characters and the story was interesting.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me feel like my life & my family are really together - whew! Glad for a happy ending, but lots of things were left unresolved. A good read on a snowy day.

[Dpic]

Not even finished 1st chapter. I am not very fond of first person style or talk of dying hair!

[Lettie Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just "ok"