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Maggie's Turn
Sometimes you just have to walk away…to rediscover who you are.
Maggie Harrison is a devoted wife and mother, always putting the needs of her family ahead of her own. Then, one day, without planning to, she drives away, leaving behind an indifferent husband and two sulking teenagers. Maggie goes off on a quest of self-exploration, enjoying adventures, meeting new people, and rediscovering her passions. For the first time in years, she dreams about what she wants out of life, and she realizes that her deteriorating marriage can no longer continue as it is. Can she and Andrew repair their floundering relationship, or is their marriage finally over?
Andrew Harrison likes his life to be in perfect order. He enjoys his work and status in the community, leaving Maggie to take care of everything at home. He knows his marriage isn't perfect, but after twenty-three years and two kids, whose marriage is? But when Maggie leaves without a word, he is forced to start paying more attention to his home life and his almost grown children, and he begins to do a little self-exploration of his own. Slowly, he begins to understand what drove Maggie away, and how important she is in his life. Is it too late to resolve their differences and save their marriage? Or will Andrew lose Maggie forever?
Maggie Harrison is a devoted wife and mother, always putting the needs of her family ahead of her own. Then, one day, without planning to, she drives away, leaving behind an indifferent husband and two sulking teenagers. Maggie goes off on a quest of self-exploration, enjoying adventures, meeting new people, and rediscovering her passions. For the first time in years, she dreams about what she wants out of life, and she realizes that her deteriorating marriage can no longer continue as it is. Can she and Andrew repair their floundering relationship, or is their marriage finally over?
Andrew Harrison likes his life to be in perfect order. He enjoys his work and status in the community, leaving Maggie to take care of everything at home. He knows his marriage isn't perfect, but after twenty-three years and two kids, whose marriage is? But when Maggie leaves without a word, he is forced to start paying more attention to his home life and his almost grown children, and he begins to do a little self-exploration of his own. Slowly, he begins to understand what drove Maggie away, and how important she is in his life. Is it too late to resolve their differences and save their marriage? Or will Andrew lose Maggie forever?
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2013
1502 people are currently reading
2264 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Lynn Sletten
39 books627 followersDeanna Lynn Sletten is the author of MRS. WINCHESTER'S BIOGRAPHER, THE ONES WE LEAVE BEHIND, THE WOMEN OF GREAT HERON LAKE, MAGGIE'S TURN, THE LAKE HARRIET SERIES, and several other titles. She writes compelling historical fiction, heartwarming women's fiction, romance novels, and murder mysteries. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.
Deanna has recently begun a new murder mystery series, The Rachel Emery Series which includes THE TRUTH ABOUT RACHEL and DEATH BECOMES YOU.
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 on the lake in the summer.
Deanna loves hearing from her readers. Connect with her at:
Her blog: deannalynnsletten.com
Twitter: @DeannaLSletten
Facebook: facebook.com/DeannaLynnSletten
Deanna has recently begun a new murder mystery series, The Rachel Emery Series which includes THE TRUTH ABOUT RACHEL and DEATH BECOMES YOU.
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 on the lake in the summer.
Deanna loves hearing from her readers. Connect with her at:
Her blog: deannalynnsletten.com
Twitter: @DeannaLSletten
Facebook: facebook.com/DeannaLynnSletten
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
August 10, 2020
Well, this story sucked.
Maggie was an awful mother. I don't blame her for walking away from her dick of a husband, but leaving her kids without any warning and freaking them TF out, then refusing to come back home to them again because, by golly, it's HER turn to be a self serving asshole.
Not that the kids were really worth coming home to, as they were both selfish jerks as well. And Andrew was such an arrogant and demanding dick, who only cared about himself. I never got around to sympathizing with or even liking Maggie again after her actions, and I pretty much detested the rest of her family. The entire reason I read this story , but that wasn't really a big part of this story like I had expected. This wasn't worth the investment by the ending. I wish I had my time back.
July 5, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads
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Bob Seger is one of my favorite singers and Maggie's journey has the perfect soundtrack!
Andrew had an affair with another woman for a year. While Maggie took care of, first her father dying of cancer and then her sister also dying of the disease, he was neglecting both his children and wife while having a hot affair with a younger woman.
In my point of view what he did and his selfishness has no explanation or forgiveness. Added to his anger at having to give up his lover. He is a despicable human being.
As the story unfolded I was hoping that Maggie would actually leave him and move on. Maggie is treated like a servant by him and the children. He wasn't worth it.
But she takes him back after a reality check on his part.
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P
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Bob Seger is one of my favorite singers and Maggie's journey has the perfect soundtrack!
Andrew had an affair with another woman for a year. While Maggie took care of, first her father dying of cancer and then her sister also dying of the disease, he was neglecting both his children and wife while having a hot affair with a younger woman.
In my point of view what he did and his selfishness has no explanation or forgiveness. Added to his anger at having to give up his lover. He is a despicable human being.
As the story unfolded I was hoping that Maggie would actually leave him and move on. Maggie is treated like a servant by him and the children. He wasn't worth it.
But she takes him back after a reality check on his part.
Maggie tried not to take Kaia’s rudeness personally, but her heart felt heavy as she switched AM on the stereo to CD and listened to Bob Seger sing “Roll Me Away,” a song about escaping down a Western highway.
Andrew hadn’t kissed her good-bye. Not even a peck on the cheek. When was the last time he had really kissed her? She couldn’t remember.
Plus, he also had a bigger goal in mind: he wanted to become mayor of Woodroe someday, just as his father had been.
Andrew asked. He didn’t keep track of Maggie’s work schedule and rarely asked her about it.
Not once in twenty-three years of marriage had he had cause to worry about where she was or what she was doing.
Bob Seger continued singing his greatest hits over and over, and Maggie didn’t grow tired of them. Bob was right— it felt so good to finally feel free. She was smiling again, singing along with the CD, feeling the weight of the world, her world, being lifted off her shoulders
Frankly, she felt she wouldn’t even be missed. Andrew was always so busy, and the kids paid so little attention to her anymore.
I’ve often wondered how you get off so lucky not having to drive Kaia in when you work only a block from school,” Derrick said.
Maggie drove the kids to school. That was her job.
As far as he was concerned, her life was perfect.
He paid so little attention to what she wore.
Not only because he had no idea where Maggie was but also because he didn’t know as much about their daily life together as he should have.
Going home meant facing reality, and after the stress of the past two years, Maggie could no longer face the heartbreak and disappointment that lay behind her.
He gave Derrick the name and phone number of Maggie’s workplace— he’d written it on a piece of paper, because he didn’t know it by heart since he never called or visited Maggie at work.
“Who pays attention to clothes?” Derrick’s eyes scanned Andrew. “Looks like you pay a lot of attention to your own clothes.”
Noticing his wife’s outfit, or even how she looked in it, wasn’t something he’d thought to do.
He didn’t mention it to his coworkers, and he hoped she’d be found before they learned she’d been missing.
Andrew’s tone had brought back all the unhappiness she’d felt over the past few years. He sounded like the same old Andrew— more annoyed with her than concerned.
His world consisted of his job, his meetings, and his activities. He expected his daily schedule to dictate the lives around him.
“If you won’t come back on your own, I can stop you, you know,” Andrew finally said. “I can cancel the credit cards and close the checking account. Without money, you’ll have to turn around and come back.”
“I have my own money, remember? My own checking account and my own credit card. You were the one who insisted we separate our money a few years ago when you accused me of wasting it on unnecessary stuff for the kids. The family checkbook is on the dresser, where it always is when I’m not using it.
I’m only spending what I’ve earned, not your money. Besides, there’s the money my dad left me, too, so there’s not much you can do.”
“Maggie, is this your revenge for what happened last year?” Andrew asked in a softer tone.
The money threat hadn’t worked, but she couldn’t possibly have enough money in her own account to gallivant around the country for very long.
he racked his brain and realized that he’d never even asked her how much money her dad had left her.
How could he possibly have insinuated her trips to Seattle were vacations? If he thought planning funerals and attending to family matters were vacations, he was an insensitive jerk.
Andrew hadn’t offered to join her or help her on either trip. He was too busy with work and his committee responsibilities, and he thought it best for her to go alone. At the time, Maggie tried not to resent his absence.
As time went by, she realized that he hadn’t accompanied her to Seattle out of selfishness, and it upset her that she’d let him get away with it. Her disgust for him grew deeper when she’d learned what he’d been doing while she was away.
Thinking about Maggie disrupted his work, which only aggravated him more.
Apparently, Maggie hadn’t stocked up before running away. It seemed to Andrew that was the least she could have done.
Oh God, he just wasn’t cut out for this. And he blamed Maggie for going off and leaving him with all her unfinished work. It wasn’t fair. Just as it hadn’t been fair to wait for almost two days to call and tell him she was okay.
You need to come home. And if you don’t, well, I’m not going to be held responsible for what happens to our marriage.” “You’ve never taken any responsibility for our marriage before,” Maggie said calmly. “So why should I expect anything different now?”
Maybe if you were here doing your job, there wouldn’t be a problem.”
Maggie hated it when he said the kids were her job.
“You can call it whatever you wish, because I don’t care what you think. I’m feeling good about myself for the first time in years, and I’m going to enjoy it. You had your fling. Now, it’s my turn to have mine.”
When a pretty coworker started flirting with him last year, he’d felt alive again. And he’d liked how that felt. But in the end, it had only made him feel good in the moment.
Andrew didn’t care how Maggie bought groceries. He was in charge now, and they were doing it his way.
Maggie had always done the shopping and cooking, and he’d never paid any attention to it.
Since he’d never really paid attention to what Maggie did, or who she worked with, this surprised him.
He’d always gone to work and didn’t worry about where the kids or Maggie were.
The kids were Maggie’s job.
Wow, Maggie thought. Andrew actually helped with dinner. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d assisted her in making a meal, or even offered to help.
“I don’t know, Maggie. That would be expensive, and opening a new business is always a big risk.”
He’d never gone bowling with Maggie or the kids.
Maybe if he told her he’d give up some of his committee work and spend more time with the family, she’d consider forgiving him for his affair.
It had been more than a year since Maggie had found out about it and he’d ended it, though a bit reluctantly.
She had just been there, convenient and willing, and despite knowing it was wrong, Andrew had given in to temptation.
He’d been seeing the other woman for almost a year when Maggie had told him she knew about the affair and that he either had to end it or lose his family.
This is a small town, Andrew. You know that as well as I do. People talk. Did you really think you could keep your affair a secret? Everyone in this town likes Maggie. She’s a nice person, a good mother, and she gives her time to help benefit this community. She didn’t deserve what you did to her.”
But what you did to Maggie . . . that was low.
The point I’m making is that you have a pretty wife who cares about other people and who is a good mother, and how did you repay her? You cheated on her with a woman who wasn’t even half the woman Maggie is.
It was Maggie who had to go through each day, trying to hold her head up high and ignore the whispers behind her back and pretend that everything was okay. You didn’t even have the decency to hide your affair. You paraded around town with that woman at your side. So you’re right. Maggie had her reasons for leaving. And her number one reason for leaving was you.” ***
“Don’t worry, Andrew. I know how much you love your money. I wouldn’t dream of using the family money frivolously,” Maggie said.
You ended up being just like your mother after all. You walked away and left your family behind, just like she did.”
“How dare you compare me to my mother?” she said, her voice low and menacing. “You left us long before I ever drove away. I was the one who raised the kids while you made excuses to be at work late or volunteer all over town. I was the one to drive them to school, care for them when they were sick, take them to activities, and attend all their sporting events, school conferences, field trips, and plays. I was with our children every second of every day, taking care of their needs, and yours. I didn’t abandon them, you did. Just like you abandoned me.”
“A few mistakes? Maggie, he cheated on you. And after you caught him, he just wanted you to forget it ever happened and go back to the way things were. That’s terrible. He didn’t even care how his cheating affected you. If Matt ever cheated on me, I’d throw his ass out the door and never let him in again.”
without Maggie, his life was falling apart. He had never realized just how much she did to make things easy for him, and it irritated him to have to acknowledge that.
“Imagine how he felt,” Maggie continued. “His friends seeing what he saw. His father betraying his mother. He was devastated. He was so upset when he came home that I asked him what was wrong. I could see he didn’t want to tell me, to hurt me, but he also knew I needed to know. So he told me what he’d seen. I had to hear about my husband’s affair from my son. Can you even begin to imagine how that made me feel?”
“You have to, Andrew. Because I can’t cover for your mistakes any longer. It’s up to you to bring your family back together again. I’m tired of trying to do it all on my own.”
His affair had made her feel inadequate as a woman and a wife. It hadn’t mattered that he’d chosen her over the other woman in the end. He’d broken her trust and he hadn’t yet proved to her that he was truly sorry for it. She was tired of making excuses for him. There were no excuses left.
“I’m ashamed to say I never actually thought about what you did at work,”
You have a complete life I didn’t know anything about, and I never took the time to ask you about it.” “I just assumed you didn’t care,” Maggie said honestly.
“Yes, you chose to stay with your family. You chose to stay with me. But that was it. You stayed, and so did your resentment and your anger at having been caught and having to give up something you weren’t ready to give up. You brought all that into our home, and things haven’t been the same since.” “I never loved her, Maggie,”
“But you never tried to win me back, did you, Andrew? You thought an apology was all you needed to find your way back into my heart. The affair hurt. It hurt me deeply. But do you know what hurt more? The fact that even after you’d made your choice, you didn’t do anything to fix us. You didn’t want me enough, or love me enough, to fight for me. If you’d really loved me, you’d have tried harder to bring me back to you. Your anger, resentment, and indifference are what hurt me the most.”
He had been angry at being caught like a child with his hand in the cookie jar. He’d resented ending the affair and blamed Maggie for it.
I rooted for her to kick the cheater and be with Rob!
Bob was now singing “We’ve Got Tonight,” a slow, mellow song.
January 11, 2019
I would warrant that most women feel as Maggie does, at some time during their marriage. We in western society, have set the bar so high in terms of the cost of living - mortgages, vehicles, schooling and our children's expectations - that millions of women have to go to work, frequently in low-paid, physically hard jobs. This does not mean, however, that these women have help at home from their husbands and children - oh no, like Maggie, they are expected to do it all.
As one of these women many years ago, I emphasised with Maggie and cheered her on. I could relate to how she just kept going one morning and couldn't seem to stop. For her own sanity, this had to come to pass, and she was lucky she could afford to do so.
Her husband, Andrew, was an arrogant idiot, typical of many men in his socio-economic bracket and ambitions. I have seen this happen many times over the years, and sadly, the wives just put up with it to their detriment.
Maggie's journey is peopled by delightful and realistic characters in this well-written novel. I enjoyed the historic and geographical imagery shown through Maggie's photography and how the heroine got stronger as she gained self respect and confidence. I also liked that the fact that her emotional and physical exhaustion was gently revealed, rather than the reader hit with a sledge hammer.
Many books with this theme show the heroine as a complete, over weight wreck and subject to extreme makeovers, but Deanna Sletten has introduced the reader to an ordinary weary, travel-worn woman who becomes determined to save herself and does so without high drama. Naming each of the characters which impact upon Maggie's life along the journey different versions of the same name is a masterstroke which gives continuity to the whole, backed up Maggie's favourite singer. No spoilers :)
A terrific read! And I shall be reading more by this clever author.
August 21, 2019
One dimensional selfish characters. Did I care that the husband had an affair for a year? Nope. Did I care that the wife took off without telling anyone, leaving the husband to take care of the kids? Nope. Did I care about the kids- Kaia and Kyle? Not really. Because the characters were one dimensional and none of them developed throughout the novel. I was bored by these silly people.
September 11, 2019
Well written, the husband is selfish and self absorbed and I don’t believe he was redeemed.
November 5, 2013
I was delighted by how enjoyable a read Maggie's Turn ended up being. I immediately was drawn into the story and was connected to the characters.
Maggie is a wife and mother who has been underappreciated for years and has reached her breaking point, so one day she just takes off. First with the intention of only being gone for a few hours, however that quickly evolves into a journey that takes her through many states and making many new experiences.
Andrew, Maggie's husband, definitely needed a wake up call. His behavior was horrible and I could understand why Maggie felt she had to get a break. I loved the scenes with him realizing how much work Maggie does, not only around the house but for others as well, and that everything she does isn't as simple as he thought.
I personally didn't like that Maggie went off alone with men and put herself into situations that caused her to be tempted to cheat. I won't say whether or not she actually did anything but I feel, and this is a view I know isn't shared by everyone, that when you are married you should never put yourself into a situation that might cause you to stray - physically or emotionally.
Maggie's Turn was a great book and one that I recommend.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***
Maggie is a wife and mother who has been underappreciated for years and has reached her breaking point, so one day she just takes off. First with the intention of only being gone for a few hours, however that quickly evolves into a journey that takes her through many states and making many new experiences.
Andrew, Maggie's husband, definitely needed a wake up call. His behavior was horrible and I could understand why Maggie felt she had to get a break. I loved the scenes with him realizing how much work Maggie does, not only around the house but for others as well, and that everything she does isn't as simple as he thought.
I personally didn't like that Maggie went off alone with men and put herself into situations that caused her to be tempted to cheat. I won't say whether or not she actually did anything but I feel, and this is a view I know isn't shared by everyone, that when you are married you should never put yourself into a situation that might cause you to stray - physically or emotionally.
Maggie's Turn was a great book and one that I recommend.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.***
December 5, 2015
Well the topic of this story has been done before, but this is much better than ones I have previously read that are similar.
Maggie and her husband works, but they have two children, as is per usual in most households the wife takes the brunt of all the housework, shopping, cooking, seeing to the kids, attending school meetings and fetes etc etc and umpteen etcs
But dad was also doing an important job he was working full time to feed and clothe his family until.....
yep, he betrayed Maggie.
Maggie had enough and one day she just drove away from it all.
Leaving dad to cope and manage without her.
The outcome to this was predictable but I did feel the story was told superbly by this authors as she writes so well.
Three stars doesn't mean it was awful, it means that its predictable and been written about so many times before, but, its an alright book that I would gladly recommend.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Net galley for my copy
August 25, 2016
I have read this story before in many other novels, and it was written considerably better. The writing was OK, although very trite & silly in many spots. The biggest problem was the character of Maggie. What a whining idiot. I could not stand her. And the other characters were very one-dimensional. And really how convenient to inherit $400K and your super frugal spouse claims he did not know...even after you told him. Ridiculous!
I have read two other books from this author & they were so far superior to this book.
I have read two other books from this author & they were so far superior to this book.
September 11, 2025
When it comes to marriage in trouble books, I don't like when the heroine is a doormat to hee husband the whole time. This definitely wasnt the case here. The heroine had enough of ungrateful kids and a unrepentant husband ( he had an affair for a year but broke it off to work in his marriage). She decides just to drive off one day and reclaim her live for photography and meets new people along the way.
She also learns that she could have a new man with the snap of her fingers ( Bobby and Rob)and her husband never made her feel attractive or appreciated. It takes awhile after she abandons the faculty on her get her passion for life trip ba k for her husband to realize who and what he has lost.
I didnt feel gut punch slangst but I liked the remorse displayed by the initially selfish snd unrepentant husband.
She also learns that she could have a new man with the snap of her fingers ( Bobby and Rob)and her husband never made her feel attractive or appreciated. It takes awhile after she abandons the faculty on her get her passion for life trip ba k for her husband to realize who and what he has lost.
I didnt feel gut punch slangst but I liked the remorse displayed by the initially selfish snd unrepentant husband.
July 5, 2017
I think most every wife or mother feels like Maggie at times - like they just want to run away and escape their everyday life. Probably every husband and father feels that way at times too. Unfortunately most of us don't have the financial resources to do what Maggie did in this novel. The story was sort of enjoyable when read as a total fantasy, but much of it was so unrealistic it was hard to believe in it. She not only walked away from her family but from her job, apparently without any notice or contact, but yet everyone there still loves her and thinks she is great. She leaves her clueless husband to deal with the house and kids while everyone in town thinks she is the most marvelous person who has ever lived. I'm sorry, but she did seem pretty selfish to me. The fact that her husband was also selfish and disconnected from the family doesn't give her permission to just run away from her responsibilities and act out all her fantasies. Miraculously while she was gone not only did he reform and learn to love and appreciate her, but the kids transformed from grumpy, sullen teenagers into kids who want nothing more than to help with the housework and spend their weekends hanging out with their parents. All this change and transformation, but no mention of possibly going to some counseling or getting other help to recover from the problems in the marriage. Parts of the book were entertaining and made me wish I could just escape my responsibilities and live the carefree independent life, but I felt a lot of it was just not grounded in reality.
July 23, 2013
From the stunning cover to the superb storytelling, Maggie's Turn quickly snagged me by the heart and kept me reading--and cheering Maggie on--right through to the end. Ms. Sletten's easy way with words made this one of my favorite Deanna Sletten books. She took her time in revealing the depth of the chasm between Maggie and her husband, and that made her situation, and her actions, very understandable. The author's knowledge of historical places (and touristy places) also added to my delight. I love the way she incorporates the landscape right into the story. It really makes me feel as if I am there. I also took great pleasure in the way Maggie's daughter, Kaia, was portrayed. She was both rebellious and fearful, the ultimate teenage mix. All in all, this was a terrific women's novel. Please, may I have another?
August 16, 2020
Not a bad book, and the husband did finally wake up and change, but it was too little too late for me. Not only did he have an affair, that was glossed over too much in my opinion. He also neglected his children, and spent time with his mistress, instead of supporting his wife when her father and sister were dying! He supposedly was treated like family by them, and loved them, but couldn’t not even bother to be there when he was needed? He was unredeemable to me, and I do not know why the heroine did not divorce him years ago. Not to mention Andrew openly took his mistress out and about so the whole town knew of his affair. So his own son saw him kissing the ow and had to report Tu at back to his own mother!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2014
Maggie's Turn is a missed opportunity. There's no particular narrative voice, not much emotion, and the main character doesn't face any real challenge while she's on her journey. In fact, this book could have been written in the POV of the husband, who gets hit with many character-forming challenges while Maggie kind of sails along. I think the writer has promise, but this story feels too careful, as if she were afraid to cut loose and just write.
January 30, 2015
This was not a good read. I ended up speed reading it 3/4 of the way through it. The actual writing style is good and easy to follow. It's the plot that did not always make sense. Reactions to words and events were not realistic. The characters were not well developed at the beginning so the author makes use of revealing secrets slowly and painfully. Reactions to new information were so disjointed. Not a read I would recommend.
August 27, 2013
A great family story of love, hurt and loss then finding yourself and happiness again. Full review to come
July 21, 2013
Maggie’s family have been taking her for granted. One day she chooses to simply drive away. She needs to distance herself from her self-absorbed husband and their two teenage children in order to rediscover who she is and to decide whether her floundering marriage can be saved. Will her rash decision split them apart or bring them back together?
Although I initially struggled to believe that Maggie, of all people, would have left Andrew and their children in the way she does, as the story progressed this became much less of a problem for me. The locations she travels to provide a stunning backdrop to her journey of self-discovery. Each new experience helps her both reflect on the past and consider the future. The three significant people who she meets – “Wild Bill”, Bobbi and Rob – each take her a step further in her quest. They are also interesting characters in their own right, and as she bids each one goodbye it feels as though she has touched their lives as much as they have touched hers.
Maggie’s story is inter-cut with scenes from home, where Andrew and the children adapt to her absence with varying degrees of success. I think all women will smile in recognition as Andrew (far more acutely than the children) realises how much Maggie does for them all. His learning curve is in fact much steeper than Maggie’s. However, the circumstances in which he learns some of his lessons feel a little too convenient, and I think the author is more imaginative, and therefore much more successful when it comes to portraying Maggie’s life lessons.
The choice of Bob Seger’s music as a recurring theme brings with it a sense of freedom, and enhances the message that sometimes you have to distance yourself from a situation in order to try and solve it.
I’d like to thank the author for sending me an advance review copy of this book.
Although I initially struggled to believe that Maggie, of all people, would have left Andrew and their children in the way she does, as the story progressed this became much less of a problem for me. The locations she travels to provide a stunning backdrop to her journey of self-discovery. Each new experience helps her both reflect on the past and consider the future. The three significant people who she meets – “Wild Bill”, Bobbi and Rob – each take her a step further in her quest. They are also interesting characters in their own right, and as she bids each one goodbye it feels as though she has touched their lives as much as they have touched hers.
Maggie’s story is inter-cut with scenes from home, where Andrew and the children adapt to her absence with varying degrees of success. I think all women will smile in recognition as Andrew (far more acutely than the children) realises how much Maggie does for them all. His learning curve is in fact much steeper than Maggie’s. However, the circumstances in which he learns some of his lessons feel a little too convenient, and I think the author is more imaginative, and therefore much more successful when it comes to portraying Maggie’s life lessons.
The choice of Bob Seger’s music as a recurring theme brings with it a sense of freedom, and enhances the message that sometimes you have to distance yourself from a situation in order to try and solve it.
I’d like to thank the author for sending me an advance review copy of this book.
July 8, 2015
[Received an ARC from www.Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.]
Is there any mother who hasn't had the thought of getting into the car and just driving away?
That's what the protagonist does. Without letting her family even know that she's ok until she'd been gone for two days. And much to her surprise, they were really freaked out.
This callousness made it hard for me to connect with the main character. I get that she was having a bit of an identity crisis. That her boorish husband had cheated on her without ever really apologizing. That her entire family took her for granted.
But to not call??
Instead, she drove across the country and met a few folks who helped her rediscover her former carefree side. And she bought a red sports car along the way.
By the time all of this happened, though, I was kind of over her crisis. Yes, her absence made her kids appreciate her more. Yes, it helped show her husband what a heartless idiot he'd been.
I just didn't enjoy the entire premise.
Is there any mother who hasn't had the thought of getting into the car and just driving away?
That's what the protagonist does. Without letting her family even know that she's ok until she'd been gone for two days. And much to her surprise, they were really freaked out.
This callousness made it hard for me to connect with the main character. I get that she was having a bit of an identity crisis. That her boorish husband had cheated on her without ever really apologizing. That her entire family took her for granted.
But to not call??
Instead, she drove across the country and met a few folks who helped her rediscover her former carefree side. And she bought a red sports car along the way.
By the time all of this happened, though, I was kind of over her crisis. Yes, her absence made her kids appreciate her more. Yes, it helped show her husband what a heartless idiot he'd been.
I just didn't enjoy the entire premise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2017
I need to stop reading free books from Amazon. UGH! Not good!
I found it completely unrealistic that Maggie wouldn't call home to tell her family that she was ok. What mom doesn't check in on their kids after being so involved. Maggie turned into a selfish woman who "couldn't help her feelings" even though she knew she was being selfish. Yeah. Whatever.
I also find it unbelievable that Andrew wouldn't know ANYTHING about his wife and kids lives. And he's so helpless. Does not know how to feed the dog, make food or go grocery shopping without his daughter helping him and giving him advice.
The straw on the camel's back was that Maggie kept running into people with the name of Bob. Or some form of it. Really?! What a huge coincidence.
I'm not yet finished with the book, but I only have 5 chapters left. If my opinion changes by the time it's over, then I will update my review.
I found it completely unrealistic that Maggie wouldn't call home to tell her family that she was ok. What mom doesn't check in on their kids after being so involved. Maggie turned into a selfish woman who "couldn't help her feelings" even though she knew she was being selfish. Yeah. Whatever.
I also find it unbelievable that Andrew wouldn't know ANYTHING about his wife and kids lives. And he's so helpless. Does not know how to feed the dog, make food or go grocery shopping without his daughter helping him and giving him advice.
The straw on the camel's back was that Maggie kept running into people with the name of Bob. Or some form of it. Really?! What a huge coincidence.
I'm not yet finished with the book, but I only have 5 chapters left. If my opinion changes by the time it's over, then I will update my review.
August 7, 2021
Have you ever thought of running away? Just get in the car and keep driving. Maggie Harrison did just that. She dropped her fourteen year old daughter, Kaia, at school one morning and instead of returning home she just kept on driving. Her life had become overwhelming. Everyone took her for granted. Things were very unstable with her husband Andrew. They no longer communicated and he worked all the time. He had a' little indiscretion' a year ago that he swept under the rug and Maggie cannot get over. He never even kissed her good bye the morning she left.
Her children Kaia and nineteen year old Kyle expected her to be at their beck and call. A time-out was exactly what Maggie needed. She had alot of thinking to do. She loved her children but things had to change. She was not their maid or chauffeur. She had no idea where things are headed with Andrew. It's as though with one little 'I'm sorry' everything should go back to normal and be hunky dorey!
As Maggie drove along she stopped here and there and made some memorable acquiantances. The more she drove the more she could feel herself relaxing and a peace come over her. This is a story that even when finished it will stay with you. I loved every minute of it and really did not want it to end.
Her children Kaia and nineteen year old Kyle expected her to be at their beck and call. A time-out was exactly what Maggie needed. She had alot of thinking to do. She loved her children but things had to change. She was not their maid or chauffeur. She had no idea where things are headed with Andrew. It's as though with one little 'I'm sorry' everything should go back to normal and be hunky dorey!
As Maggie drove along she stopped here and there and made some memorable acquiantances. The more she drove the more she could feel herself relaxing and a peace come over her. This is a story that even when finished it will stay with you. I loved every minute of it and really did not want it to end.
February 7, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Watching Maggie take her trip on a road to discover who she is and what she wants. Feeling the effects of the problems in her marriage she takes to the open road and she discovers things about herself through meeting different people along the way and they help her find herself again. Love the way the author jumps back and forth with each chapter where Maggie is and what she is doing and what her husband Andrew is dealing with at home. I found this to be a very enjoyable book and at times had a hard time tearing myself away. Look forward to reading more by this author.
May 15, 2022
Maggie surprises at every turn
A fun read that hits home for many women. Maggie surprised me with her decisions at every turn. The heartwarming tale tugs at heartstrings, but gives the reader an experience to treasure along the way.
A fun read that hits home for many women. Maggie surprised me with her decisions at every turn. The heartwarming tale tugs at heartstrings, but gives the reader an experience to treasure along the way.
February 19, 2021
Everybody should get their turn.
August 1, 2013
I eagerly anticipated Maggie's Turn and it did not disappoint me. I became a Deanna Lynn Sletten fan months ago when I read Widow, Virgin, Whore; it was book based on a difficult subject, with a story line that has stayed in my mind as one of the most memorable books I have read. Sletten writes thought provoking stories, with characters so real that her readers relate to them and feel their emotions as they deal with difficult situations.
The underlying theme in Maggie's Turn touches on the reality of many marriages. For generations men have felt that their main role is to provide a good home and the necessities of life. The bigger the pay check and the higher their position in the community, the more successful they feel. They justify their actions with the premise that all the hard work and long hours they spend gives their family the material things they want. Even when the wife works, she is often still responsible for the "women's work." These women become the glue that holds the family together, but in the process they sacrifice their individuality and end up feeling unappreciated.
Maggie and Andrew Harrison were happy and very in love when they'd married twenty three years earlier, but their relationship had changed greatly as the years passed. Their worlds had slipped apart.
Andrew became consumed by his job and his public image. He didn't communicate with his two teenage children and he had no idea or interest in what Maggie's everyday world entailed. In his mind it was insignificant in the big scheme of things. As a husband and a father he was a dropout.
Maggie became the one who handled all the demands of keeping their household running smoothly with little or no appreciation expressed by her family. She didn't complain a lot; in fact she didn't consciously intend to change things but one day after she had taken her daughter to school, instead of going home, she spontaneously drove through the intersection and headed out of town.
She wasn't planning to leave, she just wanted to indulge a few hours for herself. The miles sped by and the hours passed. Suddenly she realised that she had driven to far to return home, so she got a room intending to return the next day. But the next day she continued on, enjoying the freedom she'd missed for so long. She started on a journey of self-discovery.
It was Maggie's Turn. After years of catering to everyone else's needs, Maggie took time for herself; time to reassess her life and discover what she wanted.
At first Andrew was more angered by the fact that she wasn't there to keep the household running smoothly, than the fact that she was gone, because he simply didn't believe that she would leave. Why would she?
When forced to deal with them as a parent, he finds that Kaia, their teenage daughter and Kyle, their nineteen year old son are virtually strangers who have little respect for him. He wants to blame Maggie, but gradually he has to face up to the things he has done and realise that those choices have created his families problems.
As Maggie continues on her journey she has opportunity to reflect on the emptiness of the marriage and regain her sense of self. She meets people who see her for the beautiful person she is. Does she actually want to go back to her old life?
Andrew is forced to look at what his self centred arrogance and the neglect of his family have cost him. Can he repair the damage or does he offer too little too late?
Both Maggie and Andrew have to re-evaluate their relationship. Can it be restored? Are they both willing to try? Or have they drifted too far apart?
Don't miss this great read. For me this was a journey that both of them took and at times it was very painful and soul searching. It has depth and there are life lessons to learn in it. Deanna Lynn Sletten has done it again!
March 4, 2021
3.5 stars
I liked this. This author told a compelling tale. This story could happen to any marriage. Needed more grovel and to be in the discussions about the discretion.
I liked this. This author told a compelling tale. This story could happen to any marriage. Needed more grovel and to be in the discussions about the discretion.
March 4, 2018
This is absolutely one of the worst books I have ever read. I get that the main character, Maggie, was upset with how things were going in her life. I get that she needed a vacation and some time alone. There is no shame or harm in that. We all need it sometimes. The problem I had was that she dropped her daughter off at school and just took off. She didn't call, she didn't talk to anyone about what was going on. She just drove away, not only leaving her husband behind with no thought but also her children and her job. This was unacceptable to me and made me dislike her immensely. No thought of how worried her family would be. She was completely selfish and self absorbed.
I understand that her husband was a selfish jerk also, and her kids were typical teenagers until her absence miraculously made them miss her and become model teens who support her and help around the house. I hated the way the author worked so hard to try to make her audience love Maggie and hate Andrew. The way the town talked about her and talked to him. Which also didn't make sense. If the whole town thought so little of Andrew, then why would they be asking him to run for mayor? Sure, maybe she helped a lot in the community, and yes, he was a jerk. But he didn't walk out on his family without word. Even when her daughter called her and begged her to come home crying and saying she needed her, Maggie blew her off. Instead of going home to her 14 year old daughter, she rode a motorcycle down the coast with a man she just met, stayed with him and drank wine from his vineyard. Nice fantasy, but no good selfless mother would make that choice. The author tries so hard to make her sound selfless and like this great mom who has done everything for everyone else. It's too hard to believe she was ever so great when she just walked out. This story would have had a completely different vibe if she had just sat down with Andrew and said, "listen, this isn't working, I need time, I'm going on a trip". And of course she also owed it to her children, no matter their ages, to tell them she was going away for awhile, they could call any time, she wasn't abandoning them etc... And then, when her husband "saw the light" so to speak, he apologizes profusely over and over, but it's never enough. She wants him to keep apologizing. The way he acted as a husband and father was awful. But it also seemed to me that she never tried to talk to him about it She just put a wall up and did everything herself trying to be a hero in the community. He seemed clueless about how stupid he was until his kids pointed it out to him. That's just dumb.
I felt like this book was written by a woman who was feeling sorry for herself, wanted everyone else to feel sorry for her, and wanted to write about how great she was and how horrible her husband was and how he didn't deserve her. This could have been a decent book, but because of how the author made Maggie a whiney flighty character, I couldn't feel the least bit bad for her nor could I identify with her. It was a horrible book. Don't waste your time.
I understand that her husband was a selfish jerk also, and her kids were typical teenagers until her absence miraculously made them miss her and become model teens who support her and help around the house. I hated the way the author worked so hard to try to make her audience love Maggie and hate Andrew. The way the town talked about her and talked to him. Which also didn't make sense. If the whole town thought so little of Andrew, then why would they be asking him to run for mayor? Sure, maybe she helped a lot in the community, and yes, he was a jerk. But he didn't walk out on his family without word. Even when her daughter called her and begged her to come home crying and saying she needed her, Maggie blew her off. Instead of going home to her 14 year old daughter, she rode a motorcycle down the coast with a man she just met, stayed with him and drank wine from his vineyard. Nice fantasy, but no good selfless mother would make that choice. The author tries so hard to make her sound selfless and like this great mom who has done everything for everyone else. It's too hard to believe she was ever so great when she just walked out. This story would have had a completely different vibe if she had just sat down with Andrew and said, "listen, this isn't working, I need time, I'm going on a trip". And of course she also owed it to her children, no matter their ages, to tell them she was going away for awhile, they could call any time, she wasn't abandoning them etc... And then, when her husband "saw the light" so to speak, he apologizes profusely over and over, but it's never enough. She wants him to keep apologizing. The way he acted as a husband and father was awful. But it also seemed to me that she never tried to talk to him about it She just put a wall up and did everything herself trying to be a hero in the community. He seemed clueless about how stupid he was until his kids pointed it out to him. That's just dumb.
I felt like this book was written by a woman who was feeling sorry for herself, wanted everyone else to feel sorry for her, and wanted to write about how great she was and how horrible her husband was and how he didn't deserve her. This could have been a decent book, but because of how the author made Maggie a whiney flighty character, I couldn't feel the least bit bad for her nor could I identify with her. It was a horrible book. Don't waste your time.
November 12, 2013
Maggie and Andrew have been married for about 20 years and are the parents of two children ... Kyle is 19 and Kaia is 14. The kids are sulking and Andrew is snapping at her. After she drops Kaia off at school one morning, she hears Bob Seger's "Roll Me Away" and that inspires her to take a couple hours for herself. She has her camera with her and is going to take some photographs. When Andrew and the kids get home at the end of the day, they are surprised and annoyed to realize that supper isn't ready and Maggie's not there.
Though she hadn't planned it, Maggie had kept driving, stopping along the way with her camera, listening to Bob Seger and realizing how good it felt to be free. What follows is Maggie's journey to find herself again and decide what she wants in life.
It is left to Andrew to take care of the household. Maggie has always done everything so Andrew has no clue how to do even the simple things like buying groceries and doing laundry. He also doesn't know how to relate to his children since he has been too busy the last few years to spend time with them. As all the responsibilities fall on him, he realizes how much Maggie had taken care of over the years and the impact she has had on others' lives.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the storyline ... we all get so busy and overwhelmed at times that it's tempting to run away and have some time to ourselves. I liked the writing style. I found that it flowed well and kept me wanting to read more.
I liked the characters. Maggie had carried quite a load and had reached the point where she couldn't take it anymore. Along the way, she meets people who encourage her to find herself again. I was glad that she didn't give in and head back home no matter how much pressure Andrew and the kids put on her ... she finally put herself first. Andrew makes bad decisions and instead of fixing his messes as she always has, she knows he has to do it for himself for things to change. For most of the story, Andrew is an selfish arrogant A-hole who had taken Maggie for granted. As the story progresses, Andrew realizes that unless he changes, he's going to lose everything. Kaia and Kyle also take their mother for granted and come to appreciate her after she's left.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/11...
Though she hadn't planned it, Maggie had kept driving, stopping along the way with her camera, listening to Bob Seger and realizing how good it felt to be free. What follows is Maggie's journey to find herself again and decide what she wants in life.
It is left to Andrew to take care of the household. Maggie has always done everything so Andrew has no clue how to do even the simple things like buying groceries and doing laundry. He also doesn't know how to relate to his children since he has been too busy the last few years to spend time with them. As all the responsibilities fall on him, he realizes how much Maggie had taken care of over the years and the impact she has had on others' lives.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the storyline ... we all get so busy and overwhelmed at times that it's tempting to run away and have some time to ourselves. I liked the writing style. I found that it flowed well and kept me wanting to read more.
I liked the characters. Maggie had carried quite a load and had reached the point where she couldn't take it anymore. Along the way, she meets people who encourage her to find herself again. I was glad that she didn't give in and head back home no matter how much pressure Andrew and the kids put on her ... she finally put herself first. Andrew makes bad decisions and instead of fixing his messes as she always has, she knows he has to do it for himself for things to change. For most of the story, Andrew is an selfish arrogant A-hole who had taken Maggie for granted. As the story progresses, Andrew realizes that unless he changes, he's going to lose everything. Kaia and Kyle also take their mother for granted and come to appreciate her after she's left.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2013/11...
May 11, 2013
Love, love, love this book! I have now read 3 of Deanna's books and I think she just keeps getting better and better! I saved Maggie's Turn so that I could read and savor it while I was on vacation, I knew it would be that good. What a wonderful way to spend my time!
Maggie's Turn spoke to me on so many levels. First of all, there's Maggie, as a wife and mother, going through the motions, feeling unfulfilled. Seriously, haven't all of us wives and mothers out there - 'been there, done that'? So I admired (and envied a little bit) the strength and courage of Maggie to just go!
"Lately, she felt overwhelmed by it all - home, work, Andrew, and the kids, There never seemed to be a break in everyone's needs and wants."
"She had no reason to leave him. As far as he was concerned, her life was perfect."
Spoken like a man, albeit a clueless man!
"And I lost me."
I loved that she had the strength to realize that she was lost and the courage to go out and 'find' herself. I loved experiencing what she went through to realize her self-worth and to gain her self-esteem.
Another connection I had to the storyline was the fact that as Maggie is leaving her home and family, she drives through South Dakota on her way west. And she spends a few days in Deadwood. I was reading Maggie's Turn as I was traveling across SD, and you guessed it, on my way to Deadwood. I loved that connection!
And.... Maggie ends up buying a Mustang. Guess what? I have a 65 Mustang sitting in my garage! (Needs work, waiting on hubby, *insert sad face here*) I went down that road too; driving kids around, in a van, when what I really wanted was a sports car.
Anyway, as I said, I loved Maggie's Turn and I am loving anything that Deanna's writes. She is definitely one of my 'must read' authors - her stories are always so wonderful!
Maggie's Turn spoke to me on so many levels. First of all, there's Maggie, as a wife and mother, going through the motions, feeling unfulfilled. Seriously, haven't all of us wives and mothers out there - 'been there, done that'? So I admired (and envied a little bit) the strength and courage of Maggie to just go!
"Lately, she felt overwhelmed by it all - home, work, Andrew, and the kids, There never seemed to be a break in everyone's needs and wants."
"She had no reason to leave him. As far as he was concerned, her life was perfect."
Spoken like a man, albeit a clueless man!
"And I lost me."
I loved that she had the strength to realize that she was lost and the courage to go out and 'find' herself. I loved experiencing what she went through to realize her self-worth and to gain her self-esteem.
Another connection I had to the storyline was the fact that as Maggie is leaving her home and family, she drives through South Dakota on her way west. And she spends a few days in Deadwood. I was reading Maggie's Turn as I was traveling across SD, and you guessed it, on my way to Deadwood. I loved that connection!
And.... Maggie ends up buying a Mustang. Guess what? I have a 65 Mustang sitting in my garage! (Needs work, waiting on hubby, *insert sad face here*) I went down that road too; driving kids around, in a van, when what I really wanted was a sports car.
Anyway, as I said, I loved Maggie's Turn and I am loving anything that Deanna's writes. She is definitely one of my 'must read' authors - her stories are always so wonderful!
December 18, 2013
“Wouldn’t it be fun, just for a little while, to drive a different direction and take a few snapshots?” That thought, spurred on by Bob Seger’s “Roll Me Away,” led Maggie Harrison to turn west “just as Bob said he was doing in the song” and leave her small-town life behind. Those words made me think: who hasn’t wanted to run away for a little while?
Weighed down with the responsibilities of parenthood, marriage, and a demanding career, Maggie long ago pushed aside her dreams of being a professional photographer and owning her own studio. In this road trip story, her decision to “take a few snapshots” leads to adventures that change her life.
I enjoyed reading the reactions of Maggie’s family to her disappearance as they come to realize how much her presence means in their lives. Maggie’s growing self-realization and the joy she begins to experience made me connect with and care about the character. I enjoyed watching her changes unfold as her journey progressed.
After I’d finished the book (with its satisfying ending), I realized that the only thing I might have changed would be to add more adversity to Maggie’s journey. Maybe it’s my cynical side, but it seemed that all the people Maggie connected with along the way were helpful, positive, etc. Would that really have happened? Yes, she was tempted to stray from her marriage vows and she did plenty of soul searching, but I think the story would have been strengthened by having more things go wrong. But that observation didn’t in any way take away from my enjoyment of the book.
The book was well written and nicely paced without grammatical, plotting, or formatting errors, something I always appreciate. I recommend it.
Weighed down with the responsibilities of parenthood, marriage, and a demanding career, Maggie long ago pushed aside her dreams of being a professional photographer and owning her own studio. In this road trip story, her decision to “take a few snapshots” leads to adventures that change her life.
I enjoyed reading the reactions of Maggie’s family to her disappearance as they come to realize how much her presence means in their lives. Maggie’s growing self-realization and the joy she begins to experience made me connect with and care about the character. I enjoyed watching her changes unfold as her journey progressed.
After I’d finished the book (with its satisfying ending), I realized that the only thing I might have changed would be to add more adversity to Maggie’s journey. Maybe it’s my cynical side, but it seemed that all the people Maggie connected with along the way were helpful, positive, etc. Would that really have happened? Yes, she was tempted to stray from her marriage vows and she did plenty of soul searching, but I think the story would have been strengthened by having more things go wrong. But that observation didn’t in any way take away from my enjoyment of the book.
The book was well written and nicely paced without grammatical, plotting, or formatting errors, something I always appreciate. I recommend it.
August 12, 2015
Thanks to NETGALLEY and LAKE UNION PUBLISHING for this novel by Deanna Lynn Sletten, given to me for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book even though I have read many books with the same story line. The author did
a great job introducing you to the characters in her book. Maggie was a great character and Andrew, her husband was a little less likable, but that was part of the story. Maggie and Andrew have two children, they both work, but Maggie is the one that does the housework, shopping, running children here and there, attending events with the children. Andrew is always working, has little time for his family, then he betrays his wife. Then one day Maggie just drives away, she has some adventures, makes new friends along the way. While she is gone Andrew has to take over, through many mistakes, he comes to realize something about himself, and his family. He begins to try and make amends with his children and Maggie.
I was happy that Maggie left for awhile( I mean what wife and mother doesn't want to do that at some point in her life), she seemed to connect with her old self.
This book has family, sadness, joy, love and forgiveness.
Thank you NETGALLEY and LAKE UNION PUBLISHING for allowing me to read this novel and give my review.
I enjoyed this book even though I have read many books with the same story line. The author did
a great job introducing you to the characters in her book. Maggie was a great character and Andrew, her husband was a little less likable, but that was part of the story. Maggie and Andrew have two children, they both work, but Maggie is the one that does the housework, shopping, running children here and there, attending events with the children. Andrew is always working, has little time for his family, then he betrays his wife. Then one day Maggie just drives away, she has some adventures, makes new friends along the way. While she is gone Andrew has to take over, through many mistakes, he comes to realize something about himself, and his family. He begins to try and make amends with his children and Maggie.
I was happy that Maggie left for awhile( I mean what wife and mother doesn't want to do that at some point in her life), she seemed to connect with her old self.
This book has family, sadness, joy, love and forgiveness.
Thank you NETGALLEY and LAKE UNION PUBLISHING for allowing me to read this novel and give my review.
October 3, 2013
Maggie loses herself in the years of being a wife and a mother. She takes on the entire world so that her husband is able to fulfill his career goals and dreams. She is solely responsible for taking care of their two teenage children while working herself. One day, after dropping her daughter off at school, Maggie doesn't drive home as usual. She sets off on a spur of the moment road trip to "find herself". Maggie literally runs away from home and meets some pretty neat new friends on her journey. When Maggie is able to discover herself again, she needs to answer the "big question"..... does she even want to go back home?
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