Waiting

by Bonnie Dodge

Three generations of Foster women– senior citizen Maxine, attention seeker Grace, and aspiring artist Abbie–think they are nothing alike. But they all share a secret. They wait. For love, for attention, for life, for death, for Idaho’s warm, but promising summer to return. In their journeys between despair and happiness, they learn there are worse things than being alone, like waiting for the wrong person’s love. With sensitivity and humor, Waiting carries readers into the hearts of three women who learn that happiness comes from within.

Genres: Chick Lit

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2014

About the author

Bonnie Dodge resides in Oregon. Her novel WAITING won Top Ten Fiction Idaho Author award 2014 and her latest novel, GOLDIE'S DAUGHTER was published by LYD Publications in 2016. An award-winning writer, her work has appeared in Idaho Magazine, Sun Valley Magazine, and Rawhide & Lace. She is co-author of "Voices from the Snake River Plain," "Hauntings from the Snake River Plain," "Family Recipes from the Snake River Plain," and "Billie Neville Takes a Leap." You can find her at bonniedodge.com.

Reviews

[Beth Peninger]

I only got 7% in and decided I couldn't continue. I was so bored. Each of the three women featured - a grandmother, two mothers, two daughters, and a granddaughter (that seems like a riddle, I'll let you work it out) - are in a season of waiting. At least according to the book title. But the introduction to each of the three women was so lackluster and uninspiring that I did not care from the moment I met them what they might be waiting on and why. And truth be told the two mothers were both very oft-putting characters. I didn't like them so I was not inclined to stick with them and their stories.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the inspirational women's fiction novel, Waiting, author Bonnie Dodge weaves a compelling tale that follows the personal journey of three generations of Foster women: sixty-three year old Maxine, forty-three year old Grace, and sixteen year old Abbie. Set in Aspen Grove, Idaho and told in the third person narrative, the storyline alternates between the three women's stories of waiting for something exciting in life to happen to each of them. From feelings of regrets, past longings, heartache, loss, seeking attention, first love, and wanting the finer things in life, the Foster women's journeys unwittingly intertwines and strengthens their familial bond as they each learn life lessons.

The author weaves a intriguing story that delves into the issues of a dysfunctional family: alcoholism, relationship issues, teenage angst and first love, love and loss, financial hardships, and how they each learned to stop waiting for something to happen through taking chances, making choices and changes, in order to take charge of their lives.

The reader can't help but become captivated by Maxine, Grace, and Abbie's stories, it is easy to relate, commiserate, and feel compassion for them as their journeys lead them to discover that there is more to life than waiting for something exciting to happen, and letting life slip through their fingers as time goes by. I loved how the author alternated and intertwined their stories with the changing of the seasons, it kept me engaged and drew me in, while also making me ponder whether I was guilty of waiting for something to happen instead of reaching for the stars throughout my own life. Through the misunderstandings, hardships, and struggles, these three women learned life lessons that ultimately would change their lives.

Waiting is a poignant story about three generations of women's journey of finding happiness in their lives by overcoming their struggles to let life pass them by while waiting for something to happen, and finding the strength to follow their desires.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Sage's Blog Tours.

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[Ally Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, Bonnie's book drew me in and captivated me with her spare yet profound prose -- she doesn't waste space with unnecessary words, but she always gives you just enough. As a result, her story moves quickly and keeps the narrative leaping forward. Her characters are real people with emotions, personalities, and relatable struggles. I found myself sad that the story was over, and that I'd never get to spend more time with these women.

Short synopsis:

Maxine, Grace, and Abbie are waiting for life to take them somewhere. Love, opportunity, new starts -- they are each on the cusp of reinvention, but as often happens, they get stuck in the quicksand right before the breakthrough. As their tales unfold, each must grapple with change before their confidence can unfurl.

This book is for anyone who has struggled with making the right decisions and been frustrated when they feel like they can't move forward. This is a fantastic pick for book groups and book discussion, as the story holds so much more than its face value.

One warning: once you start reading, this will be a very hard book to put down.

[Cinthia Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written and fast read, the narrative slipping between three generations of women. While the grandmother and granddaughter's characters are finely developed and highly likable, even endearing in places, the daughter is too much of a stereotype (does anyone really know of women so self-centered and so absorbed with material things? Don't such women still have doubts and insecurities, don't they still have vulnerabilities that might align them to readers?).

But, no matter. I found "Waiting" to be a nourishing read, especially from the granddaughter's, Abbie's, perspective.

Many conflicts resolved a bit too simply at the end for my tastes(do people stop drinking so quickly and so easily? Let's see the struggle, okay?) but the book is still plausible and richly balanced, with lovable characters grappling with familiar, and unfamiliar, situations.

One shining point: It was great to see a writer tackle an older woman's character with such a steady hand, and with such love. Bravo, Bonnie Dodge. You are my new hero.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The generational conflicts portrayed so clearly in Waiting resonated with me. Three generations of women in a family, each with her own issues to address or avoid.
Bonnie Dodge has created unique voices for each woman: a grandmother, her daughter, and her grand-daughter. We discover their dreams and how, instead of waiting, each moves to fulfill her dream. I particularly enjoyed how the women's reality is in conflict with what they believe to be their reality.
I experienced some discomfort with one of the women: I didn't like her or approve of her choices. But good fiction need not always make us happy as long as it makes us think and feel. Waiting definitely did that. When I think about the characters and their choices after I've finished a novel, I call that a great read.
The prose is clear and expressive, the editing excellent. All in all, a good read for lovers of women's fiction.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I really liked how Waiting featured three generations. Dodge does a great job of interweaving the narratives. Plus, I enjoyed the symbolism of the seasons coupled with each protagonist's waiting time.

I felt that I could relate to the main characters for most of the book, with the exception of Grace. Later on in the novel, I really had a hard time understanding her motives and rooting for her.

For me, the entire tone of the book started shifting closer to the end. It seemed to become darker, which was unexpected. I also had a hard time with the actual conclusion to the story. I felt like things were left very much open-ended, and I would have preferred even more resolution.

Overall, though, an interesting look into how a family can either come together or fall apart. I also like the multiple perspectives in the book and how each generation experiences waiting in a different way.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting follows three generations of women through life - man issues, financial hardships, adventures, addictions devastation and love. There's Maxine, in her 60’s, daughter, Grace, in her 40’s and Grace’s teenaged daughter, Abbie.

It was refreshing to read a compelling story through the voice of a sixty-something woman narrator. Following Maxine through her first senior center visit, rocky marriage and her magical trip, kept the pace moving.

I enjoyed their life story - Grace’s denial about her life and future, her distraction, her daughter’s issues. Also Abbie’s story - her first love, Jeremy, plus her teenaged angst and problems with her mom.

Thoughts that bounced around in my head after reading Bonnie Dodge's Waiting, were that no matter what you hope and wish for your children, they steer their own ship and that alcohol abuse is devastating to a family.

Enjoy!

[Valerie Petr Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really connected to the women in this book on a lot of levels. I was surprised by the turn of events several times and wasn't ready for the end.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good one

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of three generations of women that feel unconnected, but in fact are very much alike.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is a good writer, but Lordy, I had a hard time with some of these characters!! Talk about the "me" generation! There were THREE "me" generations going on here ... I wanted to grab hold of these females and shake them. So ... I feel generous giving it 3 stars. I didn't like these people and had a hard time feeling any sympathy for them.