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Adding Lib
Libby O'Rourke has a short fuse. Her mother, Mae, carries a big match. Engulfed in the never-ending life-juggling of suburbia, Libby fails to notice Mae's emerging dementia symptoms until a kitchen fire puts the problem on the front burner.
Proficient in the art of denial, Mae brushes the shattering diagnosis aside and sets her sights on a matchmaking crusade for her eldest son. After all, if her lucid days are numbered, Mae’s going to make damned sure he makes it down the aisle while she still recognizes the groom.
It’s going to take a razor wit and an iron stomach to handle Mae's diagnosis. Thankfully, just like her mother Libby has both.
Proficient in the art of denial, Mae brushes the shattering diagnosis aside and sets her sights on a matchmaking crusade for her eldest son. After all, if her lucid days are numbered, Mae’s going to make damned sure he makes it down the aisle while she still recognizes the groom.
It’s going to take a razor wit and an iron stomach to handle Mae's diagnosis. Thankfully, just like her mother Libby has both.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2014
1 person is currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Elliott
1 book89 followersKathryn Elliott is a lifetime journalist with awards in political satire, human interest, and commentary. A Connecticut native, she is a happily married mother of two sons with high hopes one of them will pay for a delightful rest home.
A true believer in laughter's healing power, Kathryn writes characters whose flaws resonate with readers long after "The End."
ADDING LIB is her debut novel, and the first in The McGinn Series.
A true believer in laughter's healing power, Kathryn writes characters whose flaws resonate with readers long after "The End."
ADDING LIB is her debut novel, and the first in The McGinn Series.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 13, 2015
With a wit and humor reminiscent of Janet Evanovich, Kathryn Elliott weaves a touching and uproariously funny tale of a less-than-ideal family who love each other no matter their collective shortcomings. Adding Lib is the story of a family on the precipice of dementia, where time is still on their side, but so many fears of the unknown are yet to be faced. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. A word of caution though: do not read this book in public. You may find yourself tearing up, or worse, laughing out loud.
Veronica
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Veronica
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
April 10, 2015
A Gem!
Kathryn Elliott has written a gem in Adding Lib. A quick and fun read, the characters are relatable and likeable. Even the secondary characters are well-crafted and engrossing. Ms. Elliott uses a subtle hand to discuss a difficult subject, adding well-timed doses of humor and romance. A truly great book!
Kathryn Elliott has written a gem in Adding Lib. A quick and fun read, the characters are relatable and likeable. Even the secondary characters are well-crafted and engrossing. Ms. Elliott uses a subtle hand to discuss a difficult subject, adding well-timed doses of humor and romance. A truly great book!
January 6, 2019
All in the Family
Delightful tale of life in an extended family dealing with an aging matriarch. Full of lovable characters and witty dialogue with many laugh out loud moments that sound sweetly familiar to long held memories most can relate to in our own lives. I look forward to the next installment of the McGinn family.
Delightful tale of life in an extended family dealing with an aging matriarch. Full of lovable characters and witty dialogue with many laugh out loud moments that sound sweetly familiar to long held memories most can relate to in our own lives. I look forward to the next installment of the McGinn family.
February 26, 2017
I grew up in an Irish Catholic household. I think mine was a little poorer and more working class, my dad was a labourer and my mum worked in the TAB (Gov, horse racing agency). However despite these subtle differences the world of Adding Lib is a world that I am more than familiar with, and is close to my heart.
The situations were real and heart-felt. The love they all share, their deep bonds, were genuinely moving. Moreover, the quality of the writing, the power of the author's voice and gift for characterization drew me into the story in a way that only a gifted writer can achieve.
A moving and powerful family drama, with snappy dialogue, full of the Irish eccentricity that those of us who are Irish know so well.
The O'Rourke's could be members of my family and the incidents reported ring so true, I feel like I was there.
Good book Kathryn. (less)
The situations were real and heart-felt. The love they all share, their deep bonds, were genuinely moving. Moreover, the quality of the writing, the power of the author's voice and gift for characterization drew me into the story in a way that only a gifted writer can achieve.
A moving and powerful family drama, with snappy dialogue, full of the Irish eccentricity that those of us who are Irish know so well.
The O'Rourke's could be members of my family and the incidents reported ring so true, I feel like I was there.
Good book Kathryn. (less)
June 17, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review and rated it 5 out of 5 Stars.
Dealing with everyday life and family dilemmas, Adding Lib by Kathryn Elliott, the first book in the McGinn series, is filled with colorful characters, funny dialogue and a light romance. From the first page to the last, Ms. Elliott’s story grabbed my attention, made me laugh and even brought tears to my eyes. Reminding us what’s best, and worst about family, everyday life and dealing with sometimes difficult and serious situations, Ms. Elliott’s debut novel is a genuine delight. She’s definitely going to be an author to watch.
Ms. Elliott does a good job developing all of the characters in her story and I found myself easily connecting with Elizabeth “Libby” O’Rourke and her colorful family. I especially liked her husband Bob, a public defender, and enjoyed their sweet relationship and how they dealt with their children and gastronomically challenged dog. I also enjoyed getting to know Caroline, Libby’s best friend from childhood, and her older brother Sean, who secretly has a crush on Caroline. One of the best characters of all though was Mae McGinn, Libby’s mom, who is a force to be reckoned with. She actually reminded me a little bit of the title character in “Auntie Mame” with her eccentric behavior and sharp wit.
Tackling family dynamics with humor and realism, Ms. Elliott addresses peer pressure, teenage angst, getting older, and even Alzheimers. She even reminds us that we need to get yearly checkups and that watching what we eat, exercising and just generally taking care of ourselves is important from childhood to the end.
Will Libby be able to get her mother to deal with her impending health issues? Will Mae find her son a wife before it’s too late for her to remember? And how will Libby’s family deal with everything that’s going on all at once? You’ll have to read Adding Lib to find out. I loved it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Dealing with everyday life and family dilemmas, Adding Lib by Kathryn Elliott, the first book in the McGinn series, is filled with colorful characters, funny dialogue and a light romance. From the first page to the last, Ms. Elliott’s story grabbed my attention, made me laugh and even brought tears to my eyes. Reminding us what’s best, and worst about family, everyday life and dealing with sometimes difficult and serious situations, Ms. Elliott’s debut novel is a genuine delight. She’s definitely going to be an author to watch.
Ms. Elliott does a good job developing all of the characters in her story and I found myself easily connecting with Elizabeth “Libby” O’Rourke and her colorful family. I especially liked her husband Bob, a public defender, and enjoyed their sweet relationship and how they dealt with their children and gastronomically challenged dog. I also enjoyed getting to know Caroline, Libby’s best friend from childhood, and her older brother Sean, who secretly has a crush on Caroline. One of the best characters of all though was Mae McGinn, Libby’s mom, who is a force to be reckoned with. She actually reminded me a little bit of the title character in “Auntie Mame” with her eccentric behavior and sharp wit.
Tackling family dynamics with humor and realism, Ms. Elliott addresses peer pressure, teenage angst, getting older, and even Alzheimers. She even reminds us that we need to get yearly checkups and that watching what we eat, exercising and just generally taking care of ourselves is important from childhood to the end.
Will Libby be able to get her mother to deal with her impending health issues? Will Mae find her son a wife before it’s too late for her to remember? And how will Libby’s family deal with everything that’s going on all at once? You’ll have to read Adding Lib to find out. I loved it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
June 7, 2015
It's a reading fun and enjoyable which addressess, with humor and irony, the difficulties of everyday life.
Lib has an adorable husband who supports and advises her, has two mischievous kids as children, a part time job and a mother who considers her a child. Suddenly Mae, Lib's mother, begins to show the first symptoms of Alzheimer and her life will never be the same. Lib with her two brothers and their families seeking the best way to help her manage this new life.
The characters are likeable, funny and real, it is easy to empathize with their lives. Lib is a dynamic woman, full of resources that has succeeded in creating an almost perfect family: she has a great relationship with her husband and knows very well to deal with the crisis of her children. Mae also is an adorable character: she is a sweet woman but also very stubborn and determined, with a large defect, a strong preference for her son Sean.
It 's written really well, has fast and engaging pace, one page leads to another,
It's the first book of The McGinn Series and can not wait for the next one
It 's an amazing book, funny but also touching, must-read for those who love romance
Lib has an adorable husband who supports and advises her, has two mischievous kids as children, a part time job and a mother who considers her a child. Suddenly Mae, Lib's mother, begins to show the first symptoms of Alzheimer and her life will never be the same. Lib with her two brothers and their families seeking the best way to help her manage this new life.
The characters are likeable, funny and real, it is easy to empathize with their lives. Lib is a dynamic woman, full of resources that has succeeded in creating an almost perfect family: she has a great relationship with her husband and knows very well to deal with the crisis of her children. Mae also is an adorable character: she is a sweet woman but also very stubborn and determined, with a large defect, a strong preference for her son Sean.
It 's written really well, has fast and engaging pace, one page leads to another,
It's the first book of The McGinn Series and can not wait for the next one
It 's an amazing book, funny but also touching, must-read for those who love romance
January 26, 2015
This was a great read. Very entertaining. I loved all the characters and can relate to some of the scenarios found in the book. I can't wait for the next one!
If you would like to laugh, cry and chuckle you should buy this book and escape.Two thumbs up to my friend and author Kathryn Elliott! Bravo!
If you would like to laugh, cry and chuckle you should buy this book and escape.Two thumbs up to my friend and author Kathryn Elliott! Bravo!
January 1, 2015
Funny, moving, entertaining, and engrossing; this book has it all. I am usually a "best seller" and "romance" reader and wasn't sure this book would be for me but I was wrong. It has just enough of everything (including family dynamics, humor, romance, and characters you feel like you know) to keep any reader captivated. Very excited to see there will be more books coming by this author.
January 1, 2015
Funny, moving, entertaining, and engrossing; this book has it all. I am usually a "best seller" and "romance" reader and wasn't sure this book would be for me but I was wrong. It has just enough of everything (including family dynamics, humor, romance, and characters you feel like you know) to keep any reader captivated. Very excited to see there will be more books coming by this author.
June 1, 2015
This is a must read! A nice escape from the life of reality right here in this book. Even though it deals with every day life stuff it's still an escape to see it from another view. Their ways of doing things. Loved it! It's fast paced and will have you laughing. An all around great book!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
April 13, 2015
I won this book on goodreads and so glad I did. This book felt like I was reading my own family's story. I loved the characters and they handled life's situations with humor and truth. I would love to read more about their lives.
January 17, 2015
I moved very quickly through this one. Funny, entertaining, with characters I could relate to.
July 4, 2016
Funny and engaging characters dealing with life. Really enjoyed the view of people and a family and friends who enjoy each other, and work together when they need to deal with challenges.
January 10, 2015
My neighbor wrote this. Loved the easy read. Will read next in series
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews