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The Richest Season
"In Maryann McFadden's brave and carefully made novel, The Richest Season , two women set out on open-ended odysseys, one to find her life, one to find meaning in her death. Lonely Joanna gives up all she knows for a single chance at all she needs. When they meet, Grace relinquishes her aloof solitude to embrace life at its end, banking on the borrowed courage of a stranger. McFadden is out of the gate and on her way."
--Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean and Still Summer "Set in the fabled landscape of South Carolina's Low Country, The Richest Season takes us on a heartrending journey of discovery. Maryann McFadden is an exciting new author who writes with compassion, wisdom, and astonishing skill."
--Cassandra King, author of Queen of Broken Hearts and The Same Sweet Girls " The Richest Season is filled with so much honesty and searching and struggle involving three characters whom I grew to love, that I hated to come to the end."
--Paulette Bates Alden, author of Crossing the Moon and Feeding the Eagles Sometimes you have to leave your life to find yourself again . . . After more than a dozen moves in twenty-five years of marriage, Joanna Harrison is lonely and tired of being a corporate wife. Her children are grown and gone, her husband is more married to his job than to her, and now they're about to pack up once more. Panicked at the thought of having to start all over again, Joanna commits the first irresponsible act of her life. She runs away to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a place she's been to just once. She finds a job as a live-in companion to Grace Finelli, a widow who has come to the island to fulfill a girlhood dream. Together the two women embark on the most difficult journey of their Joanna struggling for independence, roots, and a future of her own, as her family tugs at her from afar; and Grace, choosing to live the remainder of her life for herself alone, knowing she may never see her children again. Entwined is Paul Harrison's story as he loses his wife, his job, and everything that defines him as a man. He takes off on his own journey out west, searching for the answers to all that has gone wrong in his life. One thing remains He wants his wife back. Joanna, however, is moving farther away from her old life as she joins a group dedicated to rescuing endangered loggerhead turtles, led by a charismatic fisherman unlike anyone she's ever met. The Richest Season is a stunning debut about three very different people, each changing their lives when such transformations are usually long over. It will resonate with any woman who's ever fantasized about leaving home to find herself.
--Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean and Still Summer "Set in the fabled landscape of South Carolina's Low Country, The Richest Season takes us on a heartrending journey of discovery. Maryann McFadden is an exciting new author who writes with compassion, wisdom, and astonishing skill."
--Cassandra King, author of Queen of Broken Hearts and The Same Sweet Girls " The Richest Season is filled with so much honesty and searching and struggle involving three characters whom I grew to love, that I hated to come to the end."
--Paulette Bates Alden, author of Crossing the Moon and Feeding the Eagles Sometimes you have to leave your life to find yourself again . . . After more than a dozen moves in twenty-five years of marriage, Joanna Harrison is lonely and tired of being a corporate wife. Her children are grown and gone, her husband is more married to his job than to her, and now they're about to pack up once more. Panicked at the thought of having to start all over again, Joanna commits the first irresponsible act of her life. She runs away to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a place she's been to just once. She finds a job as a live-in companion to Grace Finelli, a widow who has come to the island to fulfill a girlhood dream. Together the two women embark on the most difficult journey of their Joanna struggling for independence, roots, and a future of her own, as her family tugs at her from afar; and Grace, choosing to live the remainder of her life for herself alone, knowing she may never see her children again. Entwined is Paul Harrison's story as he loses his wife, his job, and everything that defines him as a man. He takes off on his own journey out west, searching for the answers to all that has gone wrong in his life. One thing remains He wants his wife back. Joanna, however, is moving farther away from her old life as she joins a group dedicated to rescuing endangered loggerhead turtles, led by a charismatic fisherman unlike anyone she's ever met. The Richest Season is a stunning debut about three very different people, each changing their lives when such transformations are usually long over. It will resonate with any woman who's ever fantasized about leaving home to find herself.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
264 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Maryann McFadden
8 books206 followersIn 2007 Maryann McFadden "won the literary lottery" according to writing blogs when her previously self-published novel, THE RICHEST SEASON, sold at auction to Hyperion Books. It became a Target Breakout Novel and an Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. Her next 2 novels, CAPE COD LIGHT (previously titled SO HAPPY TOGETHER) and THE BOOK LOVER are also Indie Next Picks. THE BOOK LOVER is inspired by her own journey in the world of books. Her 4th novel, THE CEMETERY KEEPER'S WIFE, is a historical novel set in her NJ hometown and has become a book club sensation. It is a novel she believes she was destined to write. Maryann's books have been translated into multiple languages and her unusual publishing journey has inspired many aspiring authors. You can reach her at maryannmcfadden.com
Maryann is also a speaker and writing coach, and loves to chat with book clubs! Contact her at maryann@maryannmcfadden.com
Maryann is also a speaker and writing coach, and loves to chat with book clubs! Contact her at maryann@maryannmcfadden.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
January 13, 2024
I was going to give this incredible novel only 4 stars because the author's grammar was horrible! There were SO many mistakes, but the story itself was perfect in every other way, so I will blame author McFadden's editor, and give her a pass. I loved this book about a marriage of long standing which has become stale, to the point where the wife feels invisible to her husband and children, so she abruptly decides to leave. She gets in her car in NJ and doesn't stop driving until she is on Pawley's Island in SC. She builds a life there, living in a seaside cottage with an older woman who needs care taking. She meets a man, and thinks her new life will keep her content forever. Meanwhile, her husband, who does love her, but who has been caught in the difficult rat race of a fast tracked career, wants to bring her home. Nothing seems to work, and he has to resign himself to the fact that he has lost her. He changes along the way. They both do, as do the other well thought out characters in the novel. I truly hated to see this one end, despite my constant cringing over the abhorrent grammar!
February 2, 2025
The whole time reading it I was thinking y’all they looking for God without looking for God. The story follows a married couple who after their kids have flown the coop realize that they don’t know each other anymore. The husband was a big corporate guy who was busy all the time so his wife finally has enough and leaves to find peace, ends up on a beach where she finds the job of taking care of an elderly lady who has been given 6 months to live. Through the months they get closer. Her husband wakes up and starts reinventing himself and finding his own peace.
It ends well really liked it only downside was there were a couple scenes pages had to be skipped. I feel like fade to black would have been more appropriate but other than that good.
It ends well really liked it only downside was there were a couple scenes pages had to be skipped. I feel like fade to black would have been more appropriate but other than that good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2013
Sometimes you have to leave your life behind in order to finally find yourself. So it is for Joanna Harrison: perfect wife and mother of twenty-five years. Joanna finds herself at a crossroads in her life - after more than a dozen moves over the span of a twenty-five year marriage, she is lonely, bored, and tired of playing the role of a corporate wife.
Her children are grown and gone, her husband is more married to his job than he is to her, and now they're about to pack up once more. Joanna just can't take any more. Panicked at the thought of having to start all over again, she commits the first irresponsible act of her life. She runs away to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a place she has been to just once.
She finds a job as a live-in companion to Grace Finelli, a widow who has come to the island to fulfill a girlhood dream. Together the two women embark on the most difficult journey of their lives: Joanna struggling for independence, roots, and a future of her own, while her family tugs at her from afar; and Grace, choosing to live the remainder of her life for herself alone, knowing she may never see her children again.
Entwined is Paul Harrison's story as he loses his wife, his job, and in effect, everything that defines him as a man. He takes off on his own journey out west, searching for the answers to all that has gone wrong in his life. One thing remains constant: he wants his wife back. Joanna, however, is moving further away from her old life as she joins a group dedicated to rescuing endangered loggerhead turtles, led by a charismatic fisherman unlike anyone she's ever met.
This is Ms. McFadden's debut novel - a stunning story of three very different people, each changing their lives at a time when such transformations are usually long over. In my opinion, this book was delightful. I found myself quickly engrossed in the lives and various predicaments of the characters, rooting for them all to come through their own difficulties relatively unscathed. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading Ms. McFadden's next book sometime in the future.
Her children are grown and gone, her husband is more married to his job than he is to her, and now they're about to pack up once more. Joanna just can't take any more. Panicked at the thought of having to start all over again, she commits the first irresponsible act of her life. She runs away to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, a place she has been to just once.
She finds a job as a live-in companion to Grace Finelli, a widow who has come to the island to fulfill a girlhood dream. Together the two women embark on the most difficult journey of their lives: Joanna struggling for independence, roots, and a future of her own, while her family tugs at her from afar; and Grace, choosing to live the remainder of her life for herself alone, knowing she may never see her children again.
Entwined is Paul Harrison's story as he loses his wife, his job, and in effect, everything that defines him as a man. He takes off on his own journey out west, searching for the answers to all that has gone wrong in his life. One thing remains constant: he wants his wife back. Joanna, however, is moving further away from her old life as she joins a group dedicated to rescuing endangered loggerhead turtles, led by a charismatic fisherman unlike anyone she's ever met.
This is Ms. McFadden's debut novel - a stunning story of three very different people, each changing their lives at a time when such transformations are usually long over. In my opinion, this book was delightful. I found myself quickly engrossed in the lives and various predicaments of the characters, rooting for them all to come through their own difficulties relatively unscathed. I give this book an A+! and look forward to reading Ms. McFadden's next book sometime in the future.
July 27, 2012
Mayann McFadden is most definitely the hottest up and coming author! Don't miss this one and her latest - "So Happy Together!" " You will want to read all her books, especially the new one - the Book Lover!
May 9, 2009
Paul and Joanne Harrison's marriage has come to an impasse. He is an executive at V.I.C., and his life is his work. The stress is showing when he realizes that his frequent business trips across the country is effecting his health. The cotton balls that he has been placing in his ears during flight time frequently reveal tinges of pink when they are removed. Meanwhile, Joanne is also feeling the pressure of being a corporate wife and she wants "out!"
Where does this leave her? She is bored,lonely, and nostalgic. Their children are grown and have built lives of their own. Tim, their son, has no desire to follow in his father's footsteps. He would rather spend time in far off places living with the Mentawai tribes in Siberut and then teach. Sarah, their daughter, has fallen in love with an artist. Together they plan to move to Paris.
Where does this leave Joanne? It's now or never is what is racing through her mind when she packs the car and leaves. After hours of driving, she finds herself on Pawley's Island in South Carolina where she embarks on the adventure of her life. After reading an ad in the newspaper asking for a live in, she is hired by an elderly woman named, Grace Finelli.
Grace needs someone to help her out, because she has been given a six month lease on life. Not wanting to impose any hardship on her family, she has decided to do it her way. We find her waiting out her days un a rented house which stands on piles overlooking the sea. There she has time to rest and reminisce. She thinks about her life as a young woman. She recalls falling in love, abandoning her dream of becoming an artist, and realizing that her marriage was not what she would have hoped for. Simultaneously, she plays a huge role in helping both Joanne and herself to come to grips with life as it was and as it would become now that she and Joanne are living together.
The growth and development that takes place between the three main characters, Paul, Joanne, and Grace changes them and their lives forever.
Joanne learns the difference between love and lust in her relationship with Hank Bishop. She finds excitement and rewards during her work with endangered turtles. Most of all, she realizes that it is not to late to pursue her dream of going back to school and becoming a writer.
Grace, on the other hand, learns what it is to have a friend in Joanne and later a man, Harley Henson, in her life who wants nothing more than her companionship. Having him in her life, will lessen the pain of suffering. In her final days, Grace fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a painter. In the end, this is the legacy that she leaves to the world.
Paul learns that the corporate ladder is not what it is cracked up to be. The fight to the top can be disappointing and cruel. It brings on the death of many young, aspiring men. It breaks up marriages. Oftentimes, it brings on the realization that the work that you thought was so important has become a monkey on your back.
As someone who has loved and lost, it all makes sense. How many of us have spent our young lives caught in the frenzy of finding a better job, a bigger house, and someone to love us more, only to learn that much of what we were chasing was an illusion.
Luckily, the characters in, The Richest Season, get their priorities in order by the end of the story. If only ...
Where does this leave her? She is bored,lonely, and nostalgic. Their children are grown and have built lives of their own. Tim, their son, has no desire to follow in his father's footsteps. He would rather spend time in far off places living with the Mentawai tribes in Siberut and then teach. Sarah, their daughter, has fallen in love with an artist. Together they plan to move to Paris.
Where does this leave Joanne? It's now or never is what is racing through her mind when she packs the car and leaves. After hours of driving, she finds herself on Pawley's Island in South Carolina where she embarks on the adventure of her life. After reading an ad in the newspaper asking for a live in, she is hired by an elderly woman named, Grace Finelli.
Grace needs someone to help her out, because she has been given a six month lease on life. Not wanting to impose any hardship on her family, she has decided to do it her way. We find her waiting out her days un a rented house which stands on piles overlooking the sea. There she has time to rest and reminisce. She thinks about her life as a young woman. She recalls falling in love, abandoning her dream of becoming an artist, and realizing that her marriage was not what she would have hoped for. Simultaneously, she plays a huge role in helping both Joanne and herself to come to grips with life as it was and as it would become now that she and Joanne are living together.
The growth and development that takes place between the three main characters, Paul, Joanne, and Grace changes them and their lives forever.
Joanne learns the difference between love and lust in her relationship with Hank Bishop. She finds excitement and rewards during her work with endangered turtles. Most of all, she realizes that it is not to late to pursue her dream of going back to school and becoming a writer.
Grace, on the other hand, learns what it is to have a friend in Joanne and later a man, Harley Henson, in her life who wants nothing more than her companionship. Having him in her life, will lessen the pain of suffering. In her final days, Grace fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a painter. In the end, this is the legacy that she leaves to the world.
Paul learns that the corporate ladder is not what it is cracked up to be. The fight to the top can be disappointing and cruel. It brings on the death of many young, aspiring men. It breaks up marriages. Oftentimes, it brings on the realization that the work that you thought was so important has become a monkey on your back.
As someone who has loved and lost, it all makes sense. How many of us have spent our young lives caught in the frenzy of finding a better job, a bigger house, and someone to love us more, only to learn that much of what we were chasing was an illusion.
Luckily, the characters in, The Richest Season, get their priorities in order by the end of the story. If only ...
June 20, 2008
As I began reading The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it, but I have to say I really loved this book. At first I thought it was going to be a typical chick lit midlife crisis type book, but it really surprised me. The character development in the book was wonderful and left me feeling more optimistic than a lot of books I've read recently have made me feel.
The Richest Season is about a middle-aged corporate wife, Joanna, who runs away from her seemingly perfect life after she realizes her husband has been promoted again, meaning another move to a new community and even less time together. She goes to a small beach town she discovered years ago and takes a job caring for a dying elderly woman. We watch as Joanna becomes more independent and her relationship with Grace, the elderly woman, grows. And we see her enter into her first new relationship in 25 years. What a strange thing to think about.
In the meantime, her husband loses his high-powered job due to a merger and ends up doing a little soul searching of his own. Although I know I was supposed to really feel for Joanna, I found myself looking more forward to the passages about her husband, Paul. I loved watching him change and realize that Joanna had been right about his job consuming their lives. In the beginning he was so unlikeable, but by the end I was really rooting for him.
Also, there was a whole side part about Joanna taking part in sea turtle conservation as part of trying to keep busy in her new surroundings. I couldn't help but get all nostalgic about my own sea turtle volunteer experience when I was reading those sections. I loved how it was interwoven into the story and it really made my heart smile when she saw the momma turtle laying eggs one night.
Anyway, it's not a perfect book, but I'm really glad I read it. It definitely made me feel better after all of the other books I've been reading lately.
The Richest Season is about a middle-aged corporate wife, Joanna, who runs away from her seemingly perfect life after she realizes her husband has been promoted again, meaning another move to a new community and even less time together. She goes to a small beach town she discovered years ago and takes a job caring for a dying elderly woman. We watch as Joanna becomes more independent and her relationship with Grace, the elderly woman, grows. And we see her enter into her first new relationship in 25 years. What a strange thing to think about.
In the meantime, her husband loses his high-powered job due to a merger and ends up doing a little soul searching of his own. Although I know I was supposed to really feel for Joanna, I found myself looking more forward to the passages about her husband, Paul. I loved watching him change and realize that Joanna had been right about his job consuming their lives. In the beginning he was so unlikeable, but by the end I was really rooting for him.
Also, there was a whole side part about Joanna taking part in sea turtle conservation as part of trying to keep busy in her new surroundings. I couldn't help but get all nostalgic about my own sea turtle volunteer experience when I was reading those sections. I loved how it was interwoven into the story and it really made my heart smile when she saw the momma turtle laying eggs one night.
Anyway, it's not a perfect book, but I'm really glad I read it. It definitely made me feel better after all of the other books I've been reading lately.
August 11, 2013
"The Richest Season," is about a woman (an empty nester) who doesn't want to live the life she is living anymore and takes off because she needs to. The final straw for Joanna is finding out that her husband has gotten a promotion during what she thinks is just a company dinner function. That promotion means she will once again have to pack up the house and move yet again, and she is tired of moving, but she is even more tired of being taken for granted and not even being considered when her husband makes a life changing decision. So she gets in the car and just takes off. She lands in Pawley Island, SC, where in short order she applies for a job with a woman, Grace an older woman who needs some help in exchange for a place to live. Grace is a major character within the book and she is exploring her life and trying to find meaning for herself.
This story is about exploring oneself and finding out just who they are, by looking back and by finding out their truer selves along the way, and making life changing decisions in the process. I think a lot of women will connect with Joanna and her situation, but it was her husband Paul I connected more with. His whole life he did what he thought he should be doing, climbing the corporate ladder, making money and providing for his family. When Joanna leaves and stays gone Paul starts exploring his own life and ends up making some significant changes.
This book would be great for a book club discussion. My only bit of grief with this book is that it felt so sad, and although making huge changes in ones life is difficult I felt the book needed to lighten up just a bit. I did enjoy the book and highly would recommend it.
This story is about exploring oneself and finding out just who they are, by looking back and by finding out their truer selves along the way, and making life changing decisions in the process. I think a lot of women will connect with Joanna and her situation, but it was her husband Paul I connected more with. His whole life he did what he thought he should be doing, climbing the corporate ladder, making money and providing for his family. When Joanna leaves and stays gone Paul starts exploring his own life and ends up making some significant changes.
This book would be great for a book club discussion. My only bit of grief with this book is that it felt so sad, and although making huge changes in ones life is difficult I felt the book needed to lighten up just a bit. I did enjoy the book and highly would recommend it.
June 20, 2008
The story begins with corporate wife, Joanna, faced with yet another move to a new city. In her 25 years as Paul’s wife she’s moved and started over more than a dozen times. Never able to have close friends or meaningful jobs Joanna finally says no more and leaves her home and heads to a small island she fell in love with years before.
I found a lot of the story was disjointed and unbelievable. In the opening pages, her escape is made to seem spur of the moment. One minute she’s out for a walk and the next minute she’s made her escape and on her way to Pawley’s Island. As the story progresses you learn there was more planning involved (she packed a box of mementos, she paid all the current bills, took $5,000 with her) but we find out these facts too late which make them seem like they were added in when the story didn’t seem to flow correctly with what we knew so far.
Then you have Paul. At first he doesn’t really believe Joanna is gone but when he finally faces the fact she’s left he seems unable to track her whereabouts until he gets his boss to trace a late night hang up. It would have been as simple as looking into Joanna’s credit card charges to find out where she’s at.
The remainder of the book has similar incidents that just made the whole story frustrating and hard to believe. The ending was predictable and I didn’t enjoy this read as much as I hoped to.
I found a lot of the story was disjointed and unbelievable. In the opening pages, her escape is made to seem spur of the moment. One minute she’s out for a walk and the next minute she’s made her escape and on her way to Pawley’s Island. As the story progresses you learn there was more planning involved (she packed a box of mementos, she paid all the current bills, took $5,000 with her) but we find out these facts too late which make them seem like they were added in when the story didn’t seem to flow correctly with what we knew so far.
Then you have Paul. At first he doesn’t really believe Joanna is gone but when he finally faces the fact she’s left he seems unable to track her whereabouts until he gets his boss to trace a late night hang up. It would have been as simple as looking into Joanna’s credit card charges to find out where she’s at.
The remainder of the book has similar incidents that just made the whole story frustrating and hard to believe. The ending was predictable and I didn’t enjoy this read as much as I hoped to.
August 28, 2011
3.5/5
En "El verano de mi vida" nos encontramos con tres personajes bastantes dispares.
Por un lado tenemos a Joanna, una mujer que durante toda su vida se ha dedicado a su familia y ahora que los hijos viven lejos se da cuenta que no ha vivido. Para su marido Paul es más importantes los negocios que ella.
Paul, ha luchado durante decadas para sacar a su familia adelante y tener una buena posición económica sin darse cuenta que se estaba olvidando de lo más importante, compartir tiempo con ellos, estar con su mujer...
Ahora debe enfrentarse a los cambios en su vida sin saber como afrontarlos ni que lugar tiene en la vida de su mujer y sus hijos.
Y por otro lado tenemos a Grace, una mujer mayor que acoje en su casa a Joanna durante el verano para que esta reflexione.
La novela es muy bonita y sobre todo la autora afronta las situaciones de los tres protagonistas de forma muy real lo que hace que te identifiques mucho con los personajes.
La única pega que le puedo poner es que me han faltado explicaciones, sobre todo en la parte final del libro. Después de tantos cambios en la vida de cada uno todo se resuelve en apenas unas páginas sin mayores explicaciones.
Resumiento "El verano de mi vida" es una novela que nos habla de eso, de la vida. De lo que dejamos atrás, de no saber apreciar lo verdaderamente importante. Preciosa.
En "El verano de mi vida" nos encontramos con tres personajes bastantes dispares.
Por un lado tenemos a Joanna, una mujer que durante toda su vida se ha dedicado a su familia y ahora que los hijos viven lejos se da cuenta que no ha vivido. Para su marido Paul es más importantes los negocios que ella.
Paul, ha luchado durante decadas para sacar a su familia adelante y tener una buena posición económica sin darse cuenta que se estaba olvidando de lo más importante, compartir tiempo con ellos, estar con su mujer...
Ahora debe enfrentarse a los cambios en su vida sin saber como afrontarlos ni que lugar tiene en la vida de su mujer y sus hijos.
Y por otro lado tenemos a Grace, una mujer mayor que acoje en su casa a Joanna durante el verano para que esta reflexione.
La novela es muy bonita y sobre todo la autora afronta las situaciones de los tres protagonistas de forma muy real lo que hace que te identifiques mucho con los personajes.
La única pega que le puedo poner es que me han faltado explicaciones, sobre todo en la parte final del libro. Después de tantos cambios en la vida de cada uno todo se resuelve en apenas unas páginas sin mayores explicaciones.
Resumiento "El verano de mi vida" es una novela que nos habla de eso, de la vida. De lo que dejamos atrás, de no saber apreciar lo verdaderamente importante. Preciosa.
August 23, 2016
I must say that I didn't enjoy The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden when I first started reading it. I didn't really care for any of the main characters: Joanna, a corporate wife who just walks away from her marriage; Paul, the corporate VP who is constantly on the job; Grace, a widow who has moved to Pawleys Island to fulfill a girlhood dream. But the story pulled me in chapter by chapter until I was really rooting for Paul more so than the other two main characters. I enjoyed Grace's full circle and Paul's commitment to himself. Joanna, I felt, was the lucky one to have been introduced to Grace and eventually understood by Paul.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
November 5, 2008
This is one I tried strictly from the cover. Eh... it was okay. There was some nice writing, but I thought the characters weren't very believable...
The cover remains the best part of the book!
The cover remains the best part of the book!
September 6, 2010
extremely stupid book, could not finish it, it was just too painful !
November 13, 2024
Joanna Harrison has been the perfect corporate wife to her work a holic husband who had promised the house they were living in would be their last move. She is stunned to learn Paul has been promoted to vice president of national sales at a company event. He never even told her about it. Joanna can't do this all over again. She raised their children pretty much on her own. They have left home for college and a career. She is lonely. Paul broke his promise to her. She heads to Pawleys Island - the one place where she had been happy and finds a home and job as a live-in companion with Grace Finelli. There are many challenges Joanna faces on her way to finding herself, but her persistance pays off.
This is a great story about family relationships and marriages. Someone recommended it to me. I would definitely recommend it to others.
This is a great story about family relationships and marriages. Someone recommended it to me. I would definitely recommend it to others.
July 25, 2017
This is McFadden's first novel attempt and she did an outstanding job. I kinda figured out the ending BUT she did keep me wondering if I was wrong. And I wanted to applaud at her decision!! It's the basic "woman finding herself after her children are gone" novel but she kept my interest and it wasn't too mushy with "discovering sex after having sex with the same man for 25 years" mush. She has several scenarios going on at once which kept my attention. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to read her 2nd (and only other I think) novel, So Happy Together.
October 4, 2024
An easy read with some interesting characters. I was hoping the Joanna/Grace relationship would scratch my found family itch, but if anything it seemed like they barely tolerated each other for a good portion of the novel, which is why I can't give it a higher rating. But the characters were very human, meaning each was flawed in believable ways that made them more interesting to read about. At first I didn't like the switching PsOV, and I didn't care at all about stuff to do with Paul, but over time both the narrative style and Paul grew on me.
March 1, 2017
There is no depth or substance to this book. JoAnna and Grace were both boring, one dimensional and not likeable. Paul was the most developed character in the book and the only one who seemed to truly have had a journey of self discovery. The writing was chaotic. I found myself rereading passages over and over just to understand how one situation became another since there was little transition. Overall I give it an Ick rating.
September 23, 2017
I found this on the clearance shelves in the back of a Half Price Books. Like the cover, and so gave it a try. A random find turned out to be a really great story, that carried my attention to the end. I was grateful for the ending written, as I thought it was definitely a good choice, and felt very good. Loved the secondary characters, and their challenges and stories. Will look for her other books.
November 12, 2017
Somewhat predictable. Sort of sweet story. Easy read. The biggest problem I had was getting into it. The expectation far exceeded the payout, for me, I guess, because I wanted it to be so much better. Regardless, not sorry I spent time in the pages of this book. Sometimes we need some predictable fluff.
July 16, 2022
Book Review: " The Richest Season"
I loved the book.... It was all about the power of love, forgiveness & the everyday trials of life.... Beautifully written and loved all the character's.... They all had their own stories to tell.... Thank- you for an enjoyable read.... Mrs. M.L.👍☺️💜
I loved the book.... It was all about the power of love, forgiveness & the everyday trials of life.... Beautifully written and loved all the character's.... They all had their own stories to tell.... Thank- you for an enjoyable read.... Mrs. M.L.👍☺️💜
September 9, 2023
What A lovely book
The author made me fall in love with these characters. They were slowly introduced so that I had plenty of time to get to know them. I admit that there were times if tears but also times of joy These characters will remain in my mind and heart for a vert long time
The author made me fall in love with these characters. They were slowly introduced so that I had plenty of time to get to know them. I admit that there were times if tears but also times of joy These characters will remain in my mind and heart for a vert long time
February 29, 2024
A rewarding read.
This author is new to me and I want more. It was a challenging read because I didn't like the main character much. But delving deep in I felt compassion and admiration. Grace was a great female character. Two strong women and a story to keep me reading late into the night.
This author is new to me and I want more. It was a challenging read because I didn't like the main character much. But delving deep in I felt compassion and admiration. Grace was a great female character. Two strong women and a story to keep me reading late into the night.
April 18, 2025
Sweet little book that was given to me at a book exchange. I wasn’t sure whether I would like it or not, but it turned out to be a decent tale that in some ways paralleled my life.
Joanna and Paul split up Joanna moves in with Grace down in the Carolinas and experiences her independence
Cute little story that comes full circle
Joanna and Paul split up Joanna moves in with Grace down in the Carolinas and experiences her independence
Cute little story that comes full circle
August 16, 2021
Fabulous story!
I have read several of Maryann's books and thoroughly enjoy how she depicts her characters and weaves the tales. I think about her writings for days as they always warm my heart! One of my very favorite authors.
I have read several of Maryann's books and thoroughly enjoy how she depicts her characters and weaves the tales. I think about her writings for days as they always warm my heart! One of my very favorite authors.
June 25, 2023
A woman after 25 years of marriage trying to figure out what to do with her life after her children leave and her corporate husband takes another promotion & job transfer. She leaves home to figure it out. It’s a book that moves along; not a page turner.
September 14, 2024
Loved how the story progressed and wrapped up. All characters had growth and their stories tied together nicely. Had some spicy scenes though but that depends on personal preference. Was an empowering story about a woman finding better for herself. encouraging to read after a breakup.
July 31, 2025
The title was good - but didn't really fit the book at all. It was like the author made this one up as she went along. Dragged out, lots of sidebars that never have closure. I also wasn't satisfied with the ending.
I would give 2.5 if there were 1/2 stars - I did finish the book.
I would give 2.5 if there were 1/2 stars - I did finish the book.
July 10, 2017
lovely story. not too many characters. a joy to read.
July 15, 2017
Enjoyable quick summer read! (Beach read if I were at the beach)
January 6, 2018
One line in the book ruined it for me; "She took her marriage vows seriously."
No, no she didn't.
No, no she didn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
Good story
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