Ivy in Stills

by Ka Hancock

From the author of Dancing on Broken Glass and The Duzy House of Mourning comes an unforgettable story of personal triumph.

Imagine the perfect afternoon in Savannah, Georgia...

Backyard filled with smiles, an amazing dress tailored to your particular bodaciousness, your dad-in-name-only ready to walk you down the path. Thrilling I dos about to be uttered…

But then… I don’t whimpers out of your beloved.

Meet Ivy Talbot. About now all she wants is to walk into the ocean and disappear. Or at least quench her blistering humiliation. Next best thing (per her mother, Bree): fly back to Monterey, California, with her less than thrilled father, to heal.

Meet said father, Daniel. Senior partner in his wife’s law firm. Thriving professionally, socially, and personally. Devoted family man in a I've-had-a-thing-going-on-in-Georgia-for two-plus-decades kind of way.

Well...Monterey turns out to be a good solution for Ivy, not so much for Daniel. To complicate things Ivy refuses to leave. She makes friends with a fantastic photographer, Mia and her slightly compulsive brother, Bo. She wants to stay for a while. To remedy this Bree, i.e. Daniel’s poison fruit, comes to California to talk sense into her daughter.

As one might imagine it’s a very revelatory weekend. Worlds collide, lies are exposed, and Ivy is left questioning everything. Ultimately, it takes a surprising new man with demons of his own to convince her that: Sometimes the worst day of your life actually saves it...

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published December 1, 2024

About the author

Ka was born and raised in Utah in the shadow of the most spectacular mountains on earth. She's spent her career and expertise in the field of mental health. Between raising her family, going to school, working and getting the laundry done, she managed to become a writer. Her work takes an unvarnished look at imperfect people living the randomness of life in flawed circumstances. Her underlying faith in the resiliency of the human spirit shines through in everything she creates.

Reviews

[Carole]

At 50% I'm giving up. Just not interested in the characters.

[Abby Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love how this author develops her characters! I immediately fell in love with the main character Ivy and related to her in how life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will. On this new path that Ivy finds herself on she meets Mia and her eccentric brother Bo and I LOVE them. I love Bo and all of his neuroses. I was fully invested in Ivy's story and I love how Ka makes her characters become real to me (the reader) After finishing the book, I found myself asking, where are Ivy, Mia and Bo now?
Would highly recommend!

[Hilary Bawden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy of Ka Hancock’s latest book. Just like Dancing on Broken Glass and Duzy House of Mourning she’s done it again. No one makes me care about the characters like Ka does. She evokes such emotions through her writing. It’s not often I laugh and cry while reading but once again I have come to care deeply about these characters and there’s pieces of all of them that are so relatable. I loved it and highly recommend!

[Nathan Gesner]

Ivy in Stills presents a layered narrative of family drama, personal growth, and budding relationships. While this genre is outside my usual areas of interest, I admire the carefully constructed story structure that unravels the complexities of Ivy’s life. Her estranged relationships with her parents, the heartbreak of being left at the altar, and her journey toward self-discovery are all well-paced and interwoven with impactful subplots, such as Bo’s challenges with OCD and Camille’s escape from domestic abuse.

The narrative strategically places key events throughout to maintain engagement while allowing characters to grow and evolve naturally. Overall, this is a touching and intricate story that would resonate with fans of multi-generational drama and tales of resilience and relationships.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy in Stills by Ka Hancock is a heartfelt and emotionally rich novel about loss, healing, and self discovery. After a devastating moment on what should have been the happiest day of her life, Ivy Talbot retreats to Monterey, California, hoping to escape her humiliation and heartbreak. What she finds instead is a complicated reunion with her estranged father, unexpected friendships, and truths long buried. Hancock skillfully explores fractured family dynamics, personal resilience, and the idea that painful moments can lead to transformation. Tender, witty, and deeply human, this story reminds readers that sometimes life’s worst days can open the door to unexpected hope.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I got the chance to read an advance copy of Ka Hancock's latest novel. She continues to wow with each new book! Her character development continues to be a highlight of her writing. In this new book, Ivy is such a lovable character that you just root for the entire time. And I want Mia to be my best friend. There's also an awesome host of secondary characters that is reminiscent of Dancing on Broken Glass! So happy to have more to love from Ka Hancock!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing on broken glass, Duzy house of morning were both incredible and now Ivy in stills comes along and my obsession with Ka Hancock’s writing is once again confirmed. I love how the characters are detailed and I really feel like I know them. The story makes you laugh and cry. Ivy in stills is another phenomenal book written by such an amazing author! 10/10 everyone must read!

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a sweet sweet story! The characters range from loving/hugging to cold/distant. The families range from all-embracing to distance travels. The story sucks the reader in, and holds them engaged through all the changes. I loved the treatment of Bo, reminding me of a current FB storyline with the boy and girl just entering college, and the boy going through all that Bo is, and the girl always there to stick up for him but also needing her own life. So worth reading!

[Shabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I put books in my Goodreads shelf for a few months, or maybe even a year or 2. But when my favorite authors drops a book, I immediately read it and im never dissapointed! 5 stars all around. Fell in love with the characters and I think I need to put it in my "want to read" section because I want to read it again 😉

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a strong 3.5 book. Just didn't love the story quite as much as her first two books. The three points of view were sometimes hard to follow - during the Ivy and Mia chapters I sometimes lost track of who was speaking. Really felt that it could have been done with only one female point of view.

[Megan Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one for bookclub and enjoyed it. I liked the characters and their realistic imperfections, even if I still think Ivy was too nice for her own good. Overall, a cute overcoming your "year of ashes"/love story.

[Linda Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story written with such panache! Great job. I saw myself in the turmoil and was glad I’m no longer there! Well done!

[Me · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars it’s a little too heavy to read. Deals with a lot of mental health issues.

[Babette Ryther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another marvelous book by Ka Hancock!

[Kalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ka's books are amazing! Love her characters. A must read!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ka Hancock and I was so pleasantly surprised how much I loved it! I want to read more! The character development in Ivy and all the characters had me hooked from the beginning and I finished the book wanting more of their story! That almost never happens to me. Throughout the story, I found myself picturing people in my own life that are like these characters and rooting for them even more. If you need a feel good read that you won’t want to put down- grab this now!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy in Stills...where do I begin? First and foremost, before anything else, READ THIS BOOK!!

I was lucky enough to receive an advance release copy of Ivy in Stills. From the very first pages, the characters came to life. It was clear that they were created with great care by the author who developed them each so fully. Bo was quirky, sweet and I found myself rooting him from the start. Mia was strong, free willed and felt like a friend you have known forever. And dear, sweet, broken Ivy. She was so relatable. I have no doubt that any reader will find a piece of themself in her. One most certainly cannot overlook Geneva and Lully. Forces to be reckoned with!! I dare you not to fall in love with them!

It was a slow read for me, not because the plot was slow but because I was holding on to and savoring every word and interaction. Yet, it was also a fast read, because I was so drawn in that I could not put it down!

A testament to the bond of friendship, family, love, loss, resilience and learning to embrace yourself and your imperfections. It is easy for a reader of any age to connect with the novel and proves to be a lesson for us all. This was no doubt my most favorite book of the year!! One that I would gift to any of the reader friends in my life.

Thank you to the author, KA Hancock and Goodreads for the advance copy of this book.