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A Woman in a Million
Warm, funny and heart-breaking, this short-story prequel to THE ONE IN A MILLION BOY - the book on everyone's lips - will make you laugh and cry with the turn of a page. If you loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Shock of the Fall, this is for you... There's someone you should meet. But, before you do... She's just turned one hundred. She doesn't want a birthday party. Or a TV interview. She's too busy practising for her driving test. And hoodwinking church visitors with magic tricks. She's Miss Ona Vitkus. And she's one in a million.What readers are saying about A WOMAN IN A 'A touching story and so well told. Excellent book''The characters, the plot and the writing are something very special indeed''A wonderful short story about a remarkable woman. Ona has so much spirit, I immediately loved her'
47 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2016
119 people are currently reading
837 people want to read
About the author
Monica Wood
24 books1,296 followersMonica Wood is the author of four works of fiction, most recently The One-in-a-Million-Boy, which won a 2017 Nautilus Award (Gold) and the 2017 fiction prize from the New England Society in the City of New York. She also is the author of Any Bitter Thing which spent 21 weeks on the American Booksellers Association extended bestseller list and was named a Book Sense Top Ten pick. Her other fiction includes Ernie’s Ark and My Only Story, a finalist for the Kate Chopin Award.
Monica is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a memoir of her growing up in Mexico, Maine. The book won the Maine Literary Award for Memoir in 2013, and the Sarton Women's Literary Awards for Memoir in 2012.
Monica is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a memoir of her growing up in Mexico, Maine. The book won the Maine Literary Award for Memoir in 2013, and the Sarton Women's Literary Awards for Memoir in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 28, 2016
This is a short story and a prequel to The One-in-a-Million Boy
In this neat little story we meet Miss Ona Vitkus, one hundred years old and about to try and renew her drivers licence. It is a delightful introduction to the woman who plays a central role in The One-in-a-Million Boy which takes place four years later. Yes four! Mis Vitkus is still alive and flourishing at 104 and is still game for just about anything.
It is absolutely worth reading both of these gems.
In this neat little story we meet Miss Ona Vitkus, one hundred years old and about to try and renew her drivers licence. It is a delightful introduction to the woman who plays a central role in The One-in-a-Million Boy which takes place four years later. Yes four! Mis Vitkus is still alive and flourishing at 104 and is still game for just about anything.
It is absolutely worth reading both of these gems.
July 6, 2020
I liked the story very much. The story is so sweet. The main character is a hundred year old woman. She is super independent and lovable.
July 3, 2016
A woman in a Million is a free Kindle prequel to American author, Monica Wood’s fourth novel, The One-In-A-Million Boy. It introduces Miss Ona Vitkus just as she is turning one hundred years old. Miss Vitkus is still living on her own in the house that belonged to her son, before he died. Somehow, news of her milestone birthday has been made public, and well-meaning do-gooders keep disturbing her peace with their (frankly, unwelcome) noble intentions.
Ona is already annoyed that she will, after having driven for decades, without incident, her own vehicle, (a meticulously kept 1987 Plymouth Reliant with 12,036 miles on the odometer, no rust, fully inspected), have to submit to a driving test. And now an irritatingly jolly young woman named Candace (call me Candy), from the Pentecost Charity Auxiliary, is trying to convince her to attend a birthday party in her honour.
This delightful short story will be appreciated by readers already familiar with Ona Vitkus from Monica Wood’s fourth novel for the extra peek it allows them into Ona’s life; readers who have yet to experience this superb novel will be unable to resist after reading this charming little taste. A short but pleasurable read.
Ona is already annoyed that she will, after having driven for decades, without incident, her own vehicle, (a meticulously kept 1987 Plymouth Reliant with 12,036 miles on the odometer, no rust, fully inspected), have to submit to a driving test. And now an irritatingly jolly young woman named Candace (call me Candy), from the Pentecost Charity Auxiliary, is trying to convince her to attend a birthday party in her honour.
This delightful short story will be appreciated by readers already familiar with Ona Vitkus from Monica Wood’s fourth novel for the extra peek it allows them into Ona’s life; readers who have yet to experience this superb novel will be unable to resist after reading this charming little taste. A short but pleasurable read.
July 3, 2016
This is a short story prequel to The One-in-a-Million Boy introducing Ona Vitkus. Ona has just turned 100 and is facing a driving test and a birthday party organised by an enthusiastic do-gooder. Written with the same humour and affection for Ona as in The One-in-a-Million Boy.
My copy was free from Amazon and contained the first two chapters of The One-in-a-Million Boy.
My copy was free from Amazon and contained the first two chapters of The One-in-a-Million Boy.
December 26, 2017
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The One In a Million boy by Monica Wood I couldn't resist the temptation to read its prequel, The Woman in A Million. Anybody who has already read the original would recall the name Ona Vitkus. Ona, the 104 year old from that story was the protagonist and indeed the woman in a million in this short story. This time around we meet her around the time of her 100th birthday. It was a great little introduction to her personality, to her independent and almost feisty manner. Would it have forced me to read The One In A Million boy? Probably not. Did I enjoy being reconnected with Ona? Absolutely. Not to the same great standard as the original but perfectly good for a quick little short story.
July 9, 2017
Was expecting a bit more. They want me to BUY the next book I suppose given this was a free e-book. Huhh it was not a bad short story overall. Download and read it if you like fluffy stories about old people getting a second chance and having an adventurous time of their lives. #little old lady book series # one hundred year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared # a man called Ove
October 3, 2016
Did its job - whetted my appetite for the main event, The One-in-a-Million Boy.
December 7, 2022
Ona Vitkus has just hit a hundred — yes, she turned 100 years, and stays alone, and is nothing like any old woman, and has a driving test to attend to tomorrow.
Candace Kimball is a woman from a church who is at the door of Ona and persuades her to attend a party thrown by local churchgoers to celebrate the joyous and special occasion — as Ona is a woman in a million, and a rarity in itself. And she is the talk of the town.
Flashback: Miss Vitkus came to the States a long time ago with her Lithuanian parents, married, had nine children, divorced, and worked as a headmaster's secretary, and now all alone, with everybody gone.
When Candace tries to convince Ona to attend the church birthday party organised by the community, she being Ona is rather annoyed.
However, Candace is hellbent, and she escorts the old woman to the driving school for her test, and still has some hope that she can convince Ona.
What happens next to Ona — did she pass her driving test, or did she attend the birthday party — is well narrated in a heartwarming, witty way by the author.
I just loved the convo between the test man Evan and Ona during the driving test, and it is funny but with a serious tone.
Read it — and you will definitely love this short story! And it is FREE in Kindle.
Candace Kimball is a woman from a church who is at the door of Ona and persuades her to attend a party thrown by local churchgoers to celebrate the joyous and special occasion — as Ona is a woman in a million, and a rarity in itself. And she is the talk of the town.
Flashback: Miss Vitkus came to the States a long time ago with her Lithuanian parents, married, had nine children, divorced, and worked as a headmaster's secretary, and now all alone, with everybody gone.
When Candace tries to convince Ona to attend the church birthday party organised by the community, she being Ona is rather annoyed.
However, Candace is hellbent, and she escorts the old woman to the driving school for her test, and still has some hope that she can convince Ona.
What happens next to Ona — did she pass her driving test, or did she attend the birthday party — is well narrated in a heartwarming, witty way by the author.
I just loved the convo between the test man Evan and Ona during the driving test, and it is funny but with a serious tone.
Read it — and you will definitely love this short story! And it is FREE in Kindle.
February 14, 2016
This short episode fleshes out a very small portion of life before 'The One-in-a-Million Boy'.
It serves as an excellent introduction to a 100 year old lady by the name of Miss Ona Vitkus, whose neighbours and their good intentions are convinced she would simply love to have 'the time of her life' at a birthday bash, and yet she's not really warming to the idea.
The kind do-gooders can't seem grasp that there's so much more to Miss Vitkus than cajoling her into having a party at their behest. There's her driving test for one: Yes, she's aware she's just turned 100, but age is just a number to this 'Woman in a Million' - she seriously knows her own mind and could out-smart most people if she so choses.
Having recently read 'One-in-a-Million Boy' I'd wholeheartedly recommend both stories, as the characters, the plot, and the writing are something very special indeed.
(At the time of this review this short story was available to download for free.)
It serves as an excellent introduction to a 100 year old lady by the name of Miss Ona Vitkus, whose neighbours and their good intentions are convinced she would simply love to have 'the time of her life' at a birthday bash, and yet she's not really warming to the idea.
The kind do-gooders can't seem grasp that there's so much more to Miss Vitkus than cajoling her into having a party at their behest. There's her driving test for one: Yes, she's aware she's just turned 100, but age is just a number to this 'Woman in a Million' - she seriously knows her own mind and could out-smart most people if she so choses.
Having recently read 'One-in-a-Million Boy' I'd wholeheartedly recommend both stories, as the characters, the plot, and the writing are something very special indeed.
(At the time of this review this short story was available to download for free.)
July 9, 2016
Definitely intriguing, it maes me want to read the book it relates to.
October 12, 2023
Μια ωραία γλυκιά ιστοριουλα 20 σελίδων, ως εισαγωγή στη βασική μας πρωταγωνίστρια στο βιβλίο "ένα αγόρι στο εκατομμύριο". Η Όνα με το χιούμορ της δε σε απογοητεύει ποτέ. Αν έχεις διαβάσει το άλλο βιβλίο πρώτα, βλέπεις κάποιες επαναλήψεις, αλλά δε με πείραξε ιδιαίτερα. Προσωπικά θαα ήθελα λίγο ακόμα, να μη κοπεί εκεί που κόπηκε, αλλά ήταν ιδανικό σημείο για να σε αφήσει να αναμένεις τις νέες της περιπέτειες
April 24, 2025
What a beautiful book!
Short but full of beauty.
I fell in love with the vocabulary used.
Monica Wood is an exceptional writer. Can't wait to read her next book.
Note: If your first language isn't English, it might be a tad difficult for you to read due to the author's choice of wording. (If not, well, it was merely complicated for me to read at the start.)
Short but full of beauty.
I fell in love with the vocabulary used.
Monica Wood is an exceptional writer. Can't wait to read her next book.
Note: If your first language isn't English, it might be a tad difficult for you to read due to the author's choice of wording. (If not, well, it was merely complicated for me to read at the start.)
March 17, 2019
Great little short prequel. May have to look at getting the book this relates to
January 16, 2023
This novella was really well-written, and offered quite a poignant insight into the life and musings of a 100-year-old woman who doesn't quite get along with the world around her anymore. I would've appreciated the chance to connect with the character at a deeper level, although this is a hard thing to do considering the length of the novella.
December 27, 2016
Ona is a very special lady who just turned one hundred years old. She's nervous because of a driving test. She can still do everything by herself, but driving tests aren't easy...
A Woman in a Million is a wonderful short story about a remarkable woman. Ona has so much spirit and I immediately loved her. She's tough, she knows what she's doing and she has such a strong character.
I greatly admire Monica Wood's writing style, she writes beautifully. This story is short, but it's great and I look forward to reading The One In A Million Boy very much.
A Woman in a Million is a wonderful short story about a remarkable woman. Ona has so much spirit and I immediately loved her. She's tough, she knows what she's doing and she has such a strong character.
I greatly admire Monica Wood's writing style, she writes beautifully. This story is short, but it's great and I look forward to reading The One In A Million Boy very much.
March 7, 2016
I had absolutely no idea this was such a short story when I downloaded it on my kindle, so am very surprised to have read this book within the hour I first started it! A lovely little story about an elderly lady named Ona, who is 100 years young.
I would recommend this short story as the writing is lovely and I'll definitely be checking out 'The One in a Million Boy'.
'Ona Vitkus: heedless; unlicensed; dressed for a party - and stepped unassisted into her second century on earth'.
I would recommend this short story as the writing is lovely and I'll definitely be checking out 'The One in a Million Boy'.
'Ona Vitkus: heedless; unlicensed; dressed for a party - and stepped unassisted into her second century on earth'.
April 7, 2020
Beautiful
A beautiful book on life. It's a story of a one hundred years old woman's ordinary life. A lesson about the life. If you have the courage you can make ordinary life extraordinary.
A beautiful book on life. It's a story of a one hundred years old woman's ordinary life. A lesson about the life. If you have the courage you can make ordinary life extraordinary.
May 18, 2016
A short prequel to the book The One in a Million Boy, giving us a little more information on Ona Vitkus and her 100th birthday celebrations.
December 17, 2018
A simple story about a 100 year old lady who needs to give a driving test to get her licence renewed.
A light read.
A light read.
May 23, 2020
I read this and want to read more . What a wonderful little story with lovely characters .
September 14, 2025
very short, cute, and sweet(?). It did not offer much material but it's a prequel to another book & it was for free, so I downloaded it.
December 13, 2020
The book leaves you not just in awe of Ona (the protagonist) but also makes you empathize with her.
Rating 3.9/5
This short story is a prequel to the much-loved novel The One in A Million Boy by the same author. Focusing on Ms. Ona Vitkus, a 100-year-old woman, this is a heartwarming yet fun read and lays the perfect platform for its successor.
What I liked about the book:
--> That it leaves you not just in awe of Ona (the protagonist) but also makes you empathize with her.
--> Despite her age, Ona is shown to be fiercely independent, where she insists on driving around on her own to buy her groceries and do other stuff.
--> Ona is a modern-day woman inside the body of an old woman; she is savagely sassy, a no-nonsense person, a divorcee and was a working woman in her day and age (of which she is rightly quite proud)
What I did not like about the book:
--> For all its amazing lead characters, I wish the book focused more on them rather than the telling of the story.
--> The praise for the book and the beginning of the next book take up more pages than I would have liked.
Quotable quotes:
-->'Our church is just over there, across Brighton Avenue. You could throw a stone from here and break our window'
'I just might.'
-->Life belongs to those who celebrate.
More here: https://wp.me/p6XQyB-2eh
Rating 3.9/5
This short story is a prequel to the much-loved novel The One in A Million Boy by the same author. Focusing on Ms. Ona Vitkus, a 100-year-old woman, this is a heartwarming yet fun read and lays the perfect platform for its successor.
What I liked about the book:
--> That it leaves you not just in awe of Ona (the protagonist) but also makes you empathize with her.
--> Despite her age, Ona is shown to be fiercely independent, where she insists on driving around on her own to buy her groceries and do other stuff.
--> Ona is a modern-day woman inside the body of an old woman; she is savagely sassy, a no-nonsense person, a divorcee and was a working woman in her day and age (of which she is rightly quite proud)
What I did not like about the book:
--> For all its amazing lead characters, I wish the book focused more on them rather than the telling of the story.
--> The praise for the book and the beginning of the next book take up more pages than I would have liked.
Quotable quotes:
-->'Our church is just over there, across Brighton Avenue. You could throw a stone from here and break our window'
'I just might.'
-->Life belongs to those who celebrate.
More here: https://wp.me/p6XQyB-2eh
December 30, 2019
I read The One-in-a-Million Boy in 2017 and absolutely loved it! I was not aware of this short prequel and came across it only recently. I found it for free on Kindle and read it immediately. This short story is about Ona - the centenarian. While reading it, i felt nostalgic about The One-in-a-Million Boy and it brought back all the happy feelings that I had while reading it. I love Monica Wood's character portrayal and story telling! Recommended if you have read or are planning to read The One-in-a-Million Boy.
May 25, 2018
After a while birthday's don't matter
Terrific. A look at life through the eyes of a 100 year old. She has seen her friends and family die. So what if she was a 100. Her life is a series of shopping, library and church with no one to help. Why did the fact she reached a 100 matter. Even her doctor acted on it by making her retake her driving test. A wonderful, poignant look at how the elderly are treated by society. Forgotten until they reach a certain age.
Terrific. A look at life through the eyes of a 100 year old. She has seen her friends and family die. So what if she was a 100. Her life is a series of shopping, library and church with no one to help. Why did the fact she reached a 100 matter. Even her doctor acted on it by making her retake her driving test. A wonderful, poignant look at how the elderly are treated by society. Forgotten until they reach a certain age.
February 15, 2018
A short story which gave a flavour of the longer novel to come. The descriptions are amazing and give you the right information to create the most vivid pictures in your head. At the end of this story, the beginning of the next novel was shared and this completely drew you in making a future purchase a must! Great writing.
April 4, 2024
Un relato corto, cuqui y muy gracioso. Ona es una reina, sí lo digo, y tiene unas interacciones con Candy que me han arrancado más de una carcajada. Si no le pongo más puntuación es porque, para mi gusto, termina muy abruptamente: cuando llega lo que llevas esperando, se acaba.
Se me ha quedado extremadamente corto, valga la redundancia. Pero vamos, para un ratito es maravilloso ❤️
Se me ha quedado extremadamente corto, valga la redundancia. Pero vamos, para un ratito es maravilloso ❤️
December 4, 2020
This is a short story (prequel if you must) about Ona Vitkus, one of the main protagonists in The One-in-a-Million Boy. This story is so in keeping with the Ona who captures the hearts of Quinn, his ex, Belle, and their son in that aforementioned novel.
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January 4, 2024I got this novella in “stuff your kindle” sale, not releasing it was a novella and a prequel to the authors other book. Regardless, I loved the sweet story and the writing style! I’ve added the other book to my TBR. Sounds like I will need tissues handy! Reminds me a bit of A Man Called Ove.
March 16, 2025
I liked this short and sweet story that portrays a character I relate to. Somewhere, I'm similar to Ona who is independent and unique, yet caring and flexible to a younger lot wanting to connect to her.
February 24, 2018
A very short story introducing us to Ona Vitkus the main character in One in a Million Boy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews