Parting Gifts: A Novel

by Katrina Anne Willis

Broken by their unorthodox Midwestern childhood, sisters Catherine, Anne, and Jessica Mathers search for love, acceptance, and worth―often in the most unlikely places. Catherine, the oldest of the Mathers sisters, is an English professor battling breast cancer with Cytoxan, red wine, and profanity. Anne is a wife and stay-at-home mother of two struggling to make ends meet in a suburban existence that both suffocates and confounds her. Jessica, the youngest by ten years and estranged―by choice―from her family, is an exotic dancer who feels safer on stage than in a relationship. But when the sisters are faced with an incomprehensible loss, they are forced to reevaluate themselves, their damaged bonds, and their fragile future. Parting Gifts illuminates one highly dysfunctional family’s tentative, desperate crawl toward a life of meaning and worth.

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2016

Reviews

[Pam Bolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Katrina Willis is an incredible author with her ability to twist several plots and significant heavy issues together. There are so many painful and very heavy issues all in one story that it almost became too much for me. Still, I gained an understanding of each of the issues and what one experiences while battling them. I loved the book and character development and highly recommend to anyone! I needed an epilogue to help me tie everything together at the end. I was shocked when I was done reading that there wasn’t more. I’m looking forward to more from Katrina!

[Debbie Ungar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about these midwestern sisters and their lives and relationships. Great character development and an interesting story. Ms. Willis is a gifted writer. Add this one to your summer reading list.

[Amy Magan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book two years ago and continue to recommend it. I remember it being engaging and surprising. It’s one I would read again.

[Crystal Ipock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great emotional journey that these sisters went thru. This was a good read, but I really didn't care for the ending that much.

[Melissa Putts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. I had a hard time putting it down!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've followed Katrian Willis' blog for years, and have always enjoyed her writing. She doesn't disappoint in Parting Gifts.
Parting gifts examines the lives of three sisters and how they look back on their traumatic childhood, and forge lives in the present. Willis is talented in noting observations that capture time and place, and make it real for a reader. There are a lot of issues tackled here, and some of it might be triggering, (SPOILER) so readers beware if sexual assault, traumatic death, childhood abuse, or depression are triggers for you.

[Debi Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of the April Showers Blog Tour, I received Parting Gifts by Katrina Willis. I had never heard of this author, but when I read the back cover of this book, I couldn't wait to read it. Before you read any further, I want you to know that I read this book - cover to cover - in one sitting. I casually browsed the first chapter wondering when I'd finish the book, got wrapped up in the story to the extent that I didn't find it necessary to get dressed, comb my hair or leave the house until I turned the last page of the story. In case that doesn't tell you anything, in plain English this means that this book was a great read. (Ann T. - don't buy the book - I'll lend you my copy!)

Parting Gifts is the story of three very different sisters and how they come together in the end as they overcome their own personal and shared tragedies. The common thread between these sisters is the fact that they shared the same parents who never seemed to be present as they were growing up. I never had a sister, but I always imagined I would have been close to one if I had a sister. This story was interesting in that the three sisters seemed to separate from each other when, given their circumstances in life, they would have gravitated toward each other for solace, love, companionship and guidance seeing as they all three were in the same "life boat".

Catherine Mathers is the oldest of three sisters - she's single and a college professor, and she's battling breast cancer. Next is Anne - the middle sister, who is married with two young kids and she's struggling just to make ends meet. The youngest sister, Jessica is ten years younger by ten years, ran away from home at eighteen to California and totally estranged herself from the family.

I love how Catherine's character evolves in this story, how Julie helped her heart and her eyes open to how others might feel about certain situations, and how she missed those who had slipped from her life. And then there's Anne, poor Anne over-analyzing everything, silently carrying so much burden until finally opening up to her own husband. When it feels like their family is starting to get their lives together back on track, the unthinkable happens to Max. It was really heartbreaking to stand by and watch Anne's inability to move forward and her husband, Dale's inability to help her.

Finally there's Jessica's story. Throughout the book, we get pieces of Jessica's life and how she has traveled her own road, quite alone and as a reader, I was sad about the life she was living (or really, the life she wasn't living). It seems all she wants is to know how to live like a "normal" person - to know love and be loved. I was so worried about her staying in the same rut for the rest of her life, until I was able to see the change at the very end and then I had hope for Jessica's future.

About halfway through this book, I found this little tidbit:

"Life is too short to worry about who's right and who's wrong.... We waste so much time and energy to get people to see things our way. In the end, does it really matter?"

As a Christian that completely believes in a kind and loving God, it was interesting to watch different members of this family go to the Catholic prayer chants when they needed God's help. They said the prayers they were taught, but failed to connect with God in their hearts. I kept thinking if I was there I would tell them to drop the memorized words, and share with God, talk to Him, ask for His guidance and He can help you.

On the rating system of stars, I would totally give this book 5+ stars on a 1-5 scale. This is Ms. Willis' first book and I can't wait to read more. I even think that this book would make a beautiful series so we readers could learn how the sisters and their families change and grow in the future.

Thanks to BookSparks for the advance reader's digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review as part of their April Showers Blog Tour -#itsrainingbooks!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read one of Katrina Anne Willis's books before - and what a treat I have been missing! This was easily one of the best books I have read this year. Realistic and often harsh, it details the story of three emotionally damaged sisters, Catherine, Anne and Jessica, offspring of Big Jim, their handsome cheating father, and Eva, broken, disillusioned and exhausted with nothing left to give her growing daughters.
We join the sisters in adulthood; Catherine, a university professor currently receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Cynical and straight talking, Catherine stumbles suddenly upon love in the most unlikely of places and is overawed by its transformative power in her life. Anne, married mother of two, staid, reserved, struggling and overwhelmed by family responsibilities, financial ruin and a grief that consumes her. Finally, Jessica, estranged from her dysfunctional family after running away in her teens. After a chance encounter with her brother-in-law Dale, Jessica hovers on the periphery, unsure of herself, of her place in her family - and of life itself!
Although I was slow to start 'Parting Gifts,' that must have been lack of initial concentration on my part, because once engaged | just could not put this book down. The characters were so real, and yet despite their flaws, so likeable, so relatable. They drew me in to their stories and I was fascinated by how carefully Katrina Anne Willis observed her characters, how believable their responses were to the challenges life threw at them.
Alongside we had flashbacks to Eva and Big Jim's life before the sisters; their marriage, their battles, their life-changing events, all of which provide clues as to why their offspring are so emotionally damaged. They could be any one of us however; grief, guilt, jealousy, anger are not once in a lifetime experiences, they are everyday occurrences - things that happen to someone every day, and I believe that is in the reality that lies the strength of 'Parting Gifts.'
I give this book 5 full stars!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katrina Anne Willis has created three really well-developed, strong, female main characters in her debut novel. I was impressed by the writing style and the fact that the characters were so real to me, even though I didn’t really relate to the subject-matter of the book. In fact, this is a book that normally I would not seek out on my own, but after receiving this review copy I’m glad I got the chance to experience the particular writing style that separates mediocre authors from exceptional writers.

I can’t say I was a huge fan of the plot, as again this is not really the type of book I would normally seek out, but if you’re a fan of traditional women’s fiction you will absolutely love this novel. It centers around three sisters who are all “damaged” in some way due to lingering issues from their childhood, including lackluster parents. Tragedy strikes, and they are each forced to face their past and present demons, discover what they truly want their lives to be, and start living for the first time.

It’s a very emotional read, and I think women’s fiction aficionados will really enjoy this book. It would be a great Mother’s Day gift! **hint hint**

*Disclaimer* I received a copy of this book from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book after reading several highly "literary" novels, those with complex storylines and sentence structure, so what struck me first was the fact that Parting Gifts is not that kind of story. The sentences are direct. The prose is not wordy. The chapters are short. All of these things are, I believe, intentional, creating a fast-paced, page-turning narrative. I finished in less than 24 hours (not on vacation).

What stands out most is the character development. It is fantastic. I can visualize these characters. I can see parts of them in me and in people I know. I feel like I know them.

I also particularly liked that, while all the characters suffered some truly awful things, I did not find the book depressing. The author used these negative events to drive the narrative and character development, not to manipulate the reader to tears.

At first, I was a little unsatisfied with the ending. Without spoilers, I'll just say that I changed my mind. I wish I knew more about what happened next to these characters, but the ending does tie up the central question/conflict/theme of the book.

[Joey P · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the synopsis, I thought this book is about sisterhood but it's more than just that. Family, friendship, love, and acceptance are all important in the book. The story is told in five different perspectives: Catherine (oldest sister), Anne (second sister), Jessica (youngest sister), Dale (Anne's husband) and Eva (the Mom). Each chapter is only a few pages long, so readers do not get tired of one character. There are 61 chapters in 259 pages only.

At first, I really liked Jessica's story but her part was not as big as her other two sisters. I wish her character was more developed. Catherine's story was the most interesting to me. There was more than just chemotherapy, her love life made everything more complicated. I found Anne to be the annoying one, she's just like her mother.

I like the twist at chapter 40. It was so unexpected. After that, the book became so emotional. However, it changed the main focus to my least favorite sister, Anne. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. =)

4 out of 5 stars

Received a free copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book because of the character of Catherine, who is battling breast cancer. After my own cancer fight, I'm always drawn to characters like her--but this book is SO much more than just Catherine's story.

These three sisters live very different lives, but they all share a brokenness brought about by parents who were never fully present in their childhood. In Part One, we get to meet each of them, as well as their mother and other people who are part of their lives, and see what demons they are fighting along the way. In Part Two, after a devastating loss, they each realize what matters most to them, and start working to achieve it.

This is a touching, realistic story, filled with emotion. The author has a writing style that draws you into the lives of her characters and keeps you reading to find out what happens next. A truly amazing first novel!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three sisters. Three different lifestyles. Raised under the same roof by the same parents.

I often see this happen even in my own family. We were all raised by the same two parents, yet have all turned out amazingly different. This is what has happened in Parting Gifts by Katrina Anne Willis. The crux is how will it all turn out in the end.

Ms. Willis writes with an easy style. At parts I was laughing, and at others I had tears welling up in my eyes. This story gave me all the right feels at the right times. And I liked the very end of the story. I won't spoil it for you, but it felt right to me.

I would gladly read anything Ms. Willis writes and recommend Parting Gifts to my friends.




I received a copy of this book on NetGalley from the publisher and also a print copy from BookSparks for my honest review.

[Shanna Loewen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was at once more difficult for me to read and oddly comforting even though the subject matter wasn't easy. This is a story of three sisters, Catherine, Anne and Jessica (I am one of three,) who are all facing difficulties of their own and one sister is battling breast cancer (as my sister just did as well!)

This story is so well written that it is hard to believe that Katrina is a new author. I think what captured me was the view of how we are different sisters to each sister and have different views of parents than one another even growing up in the same household. I think Willis does a deft job of showing those relationships, sacrifices, and heartaches that are woven through any family's history. This book is one to read because it will become part of you in some way but it will also force you into a lot of emotions but in very subtle and surprising ways.

[vvb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an emotional journey in which a family navigates through many downs before getting back on the up trend.

Each chapter is in the voice of one of the five main characters which provided different viewpoints that made the characters more down to earth. Also, the various storylines were equally interesting to follow.

Many major life issues were touched upon to ponder. But what I liked was the character growth each experienced along the way.

Got me thinking about the qualities of a true best friend.

[Candi B · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a debut novel, I was blown away. I did not know what to expect from this book. Katrina has a beautiful way with words, a gift of language. I felt every emotion she was trying to impart in her writing. Although this book was an emotional read and very painful at times, I could not put it down. Her book was very eloquently written, and she left me wanting more. Kudos, my friend! I look forward to reading more of your books for a long time to come. Maybe someday there will even be a sequel to Parting Gifts…

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willis has developed three strong female characters and their voices are heard clearly. While dealing with their own problems, the three sisters feel isolated and alone, but lack the skills necessary to reach out and support one another. For an author's first novel, Willis has captured the emotions that can exist between sisters and the unbreakable bond that is formed from having the same parents.
Read my review at http://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogsp...

[Jennifer Malenius · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times a gut-wrenching read! It was a fabulously written book. The characters were so well written, you felt they could be your neighbors, friends, family. The book could be so dark, but then hopeful. The one character, Julie, was so incongruent with the rest of the book. I realize that was purposeful. However, at times, she was so light and so wise that it seemed too unbelievable. I was left wanting more...but in a good way.
I won this book in a goodreads.com giveaway.