The Woman Lost series has been a favorite of mine for many years. Woman of the Year, the twelfth book in the series, is just as fantastic as the first. The success of this popular series isn’t dumb luck, either. Markinson takes care to ensure it embodies the essential elements needed to keep readers coming back; stories are well-paced, engaging and centered around dynamic characters. Though humorous, there’s a depth to the storytelling that yields true emotional resonance. Furthermore, Markinson makes sure each new book is built on previous storylines, balancing the series’ continuity and evolution nicely. Loyal readers reap the rewards of this, enjoying a new and entertaining story set in the crazy but charming Lizzie Petrie story world.
The Woman Lost series hasn’t just captured the hearts of loyal readers; it’s gained the attention of reviewers, too. The praise is well deserved. Its arc is structured around an exceptionally well-developed, dynamic protagonist. In book one, A Woman Lost, she’s introduced as a quirky and intelligent academic bumbling her way through life. Though she’s still quirky, smart and bumbling through life, Markinson has given her space to evolve and grow. Readers have watched her get married, have children and move across the country. It’s been great fun; her antics never cease to amuse and entertain.
Woman of the Year, just as one would expect, rewards readers with more unpredictable and eyebrow-raising antics from Lizzie. After discovering she wasn’t living the healthiest lifestyle, Lizzie decides to make changes. In typical Lizzie fashion, she overdoes it and creates an unpleasant situation for everyone. To get herself out of her stinky ordeal, she uses a “creative” approach to solving the problem—something she’s known for—and mucks it up even more. As per usual, when presented with a right way and a wrong way, Lizzie always needs to make a few U-turns before finding the best path. This is where the storytelling shines; sarcasm and humor are blended masterfully, making the narrative gut-splitting funny.
Of course, no protagonist in a romance stands alone, and this story, just like the others, thrives on Lizzie’s relationship with her wife, Sarah. She’s an essential part of Lizzie’s journey, serving as her anchor, offering love, support, and perspective—and oh boy does she need it this time! When the you-know-what hits the fan, Sarah is there, forced smile in place, prepared to suffer the loses right along side her. Their eye rolls, misunderstandings, and amusing banter are the most charming aspects of the narrative. It drives the storytelling, making it feel alive and engaging.
Beyond the two central characters, the story also features a well-developed ensemble of supporting players. These secondary characters are not just background figures. They are a diverse array of personalities, each bringing their own unique struggles and triumphs to the narrative. Their presence provides interesting sub-plots, thus creating a more dynamic, layered story.
Final remarks…
Woman of the Year picks up where A Midlife Woman left off, following Lizzie and the Petrie clan over the course of 14 months. New and unique challenges crop up for Lizzie during those months, making things very interesting. Woman of the Year is crafted with depth, humor, and originality. It is an absolute delight; I can’t recommend it enough.
Strengths…
Well-written
Well-paced
Entertaining dialogue
Lovable characters
Engaging plot
Charming secondary characters
Resonating themes