Buying the Farm

by Kimberly Conn

Missi Jennings has no family, with the exception of her cold, critical mother, who makes her feel like a perpetual disappointment. She muddles through life in Washington, D.C. despondent, yet unmotivated to do anything about it. When a horrific accident on a Downtown street leaves Missi shaken, numb, and wealthy beyond her wildest imagination, it also becomes a catalyst for unthinkable change, launching her on a journey to a place completely foreign to her—rural Mississippi. The cynical, solitary city girl must confront a lifetime of lies created by the woman she always knew to be her mother and contend with a large, loud, extended family she had no idea existed. Missi's fortitude is tested by strange new surroundings and a cantankerous grandfather, but it is a child-like woman with Down syndrome, with whom Missi shares an unbreakable bond, who changes her the most. Buying the Farm is a poignant story about loss, gain, and both the joy and pain that come from being a part of a family. This is a new release of an edition originally published by Kimberly Conn.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2012

About the author

Born in Mississippi and raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, Kimberly now resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, two sons and Ruby, the world's best dog. Buying the Farm is her first novel, but she is hard at work on the next one.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a relaxing feel-good book, the characters were so very sweet and likeable it seemed a bit unrealistic to me. Enjoyed reading it but things stalled and plodded along after the first half so had to skim repitious parts.

[Peggy Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware when you start reading Buying the Farm - you won't get anything else done until you finish it! Kimberly Conn's Missi grabs our hearts and pulls us ever closer to her, until we're crying, laughing and willing to bleed for her. Conn's honest look at what it means to be family helps us examine our own lives and families, and maybe even softens the rough edges of our not so perfect relatives. This is one I'll read again, and I'm already standing in line to buy her next one. Kimberly, please tell me you're writing it already!

[Leslie Feret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

When I finished this book, I felt like I had been given a gift. It was truly heartwarming. The means by which the author portrayed how one person can make a difference and change the lives of what once were complete strangers will stay with me always. I loved each and every one of the characters and felt the author could not have portrayed life in the south more accurately. I hope to see a sequel with these same loving characters. Absolutely in the top 5 of the list of almost 100 books I've read in the past year, and only the second of which I have actually written a review. Thank you for this gift of a book, Kimberly Conn. You are an extremely talented writer.

[Kathy Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and all the characters seem so real I wanted the book to go on and on. This story grabs you from the beginning with something unexpected and from there you just hold on tight and enjoy the story. I hope it's the first of many stories from Kimberly Conn. It would make a great movie.

[Deborah Whipp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Missi and her emotions, page after excutiating page of Missi and her freaking emotions. And lots and lots and lots of hugging and crying. I mean lots. Clearly, I wasn't feeling this book.

There were also some very irritating plot issues:

1. Forgetting reality: Okay, there a few times where this little thing called the Internet might have helped Missi out. I don't know exactly when this story takes place, but Missi has a computer at work and a cell phone that she rarely remembers to charge or check, so I'm going to assume the Internet exists in her world. While in Vegas, Missi decides to check out midget wrestling, thanks to a tip from her cousin. Yet among Missi, the hotel concierge, and the others Missi asks, no result. Zip. Nada. Clearly, no one tried Google. If you type "midget wrestling vegas" you'll find nearly 3 million hits, with the first being where to buy tickets. There were a few other times the Internet might have been useful, but that was most notable.

2. The inheritance: Give me a break. I find it difficult to believe someone could inherit an estate worth 6 million dollars - plus the townhouse for another 1.6 million - and barely even think about their new wealth for months (90% into the book!) When Missi took her cousin Dory back-to-school shopping, I thought that might be a nice time to share the wealth, but nope. There were a few more times she might have thought about sharing her wealth with her family, such as: when she saw her grandfather's dilapidated tractor and truck - nope; when her best friend in the world was getting married - nope; when she saw her aunt, who took her into her home, working double shifts at a diner and then working non-stop at home - nope; when her cousin Dory worried about going to junior college because of the financial strain it would put on the family - nope.; when Grandpa mentioned the farm that has been in the family for over 100 years might be lost to foreclosure - nope; when her cousin goes to bid on equipment for the family business - nope.

It just doesn't cross this idiot's mind to financially help these people whom she professes to adore, until the very end of the book, where she finally buys the farm. Wow, I already knew that was coming, thanks to the title and all. Her obliviousness to her newly found vast wealth (and the good it might do in her own family) was BS.

Even with the predictable happy ending, this book just wasn't for me.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed! This story is a family story. Good and bad. It is centered upon a young woman who is faced with choices that come with the downfalls being part of a family can create. It is a postive read however. The young lady has a humor that made me chuckle. Her humor comes out in her perceptions, or misconceptions. It isn't a comedy, just has some spots that can make you chuckle. At least it did me.

[Donnab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! The only reason I gave it a 4 is because a couple of spots just were drawn out with such detail that I almost got bored, but soon my quest to read more for the rest of the story returned. Definitely recommend this novel.

[Megan McCuistion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t quite give it five stars, but it’s verrrrry close. It took me a minute to warm up to this book. I really hated Missi at first and just wasn’t thrilled early on. That didn’t last though, the last third of the book was especially good. It’s a story of love and loss and learning and it’s beautiful.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding out my week of vacation reading. Another good story. Not sure if I had a streak of surprisingly good books or if I was just so happy to be on vacation and reading that they all seemed, good. But either way, I enjoyed this and the others!

[Charles Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex family issues, thoughtfully explored

Enjoyed reading about Missi's experience growing up in a cold, emotion less family. And then finding her true family. Her shock at finally feeling tears on her face after a lifetme of smothering her emotions was amazing.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the biggest laugh when Missi translated what Dory said to what she thought it sounded like she said. "I like you, you're nice"to "i like you, you're an ass". This was such a heartfelt story of family with all it's dysfunction coming full circle and healing.

[manjul mehra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest heart warming book I have read in a long time. My good wishes to the author who wrote this lovely book at this time when families are falling apart and missing the love and support you can have from ur extended family too..congratulations for this lovely debut book. Keep on writing. I will recommend this book to all my friends.

Excellent warm and lovely book for everyone to enjoy. Keep up the good work. Best book I have read in a long time.

[Claudia Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best story this year!

I giggled every five page's thinking this is the kind of humor I can relate to. There is also a good story line that takes a twisty turn I was not expecting. I embraced this family as if it was mine, I cried when they did and smiled when they did. Great read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many delights, no disappointments

This book was very rewarding. I have read many books about the rural South that were never so tenderly affectionate and respectful. We can all learn a lot from Melba's dear family. As we see the strong bonds holding these wonderful characters together, we gain a kinder perspective toward all people who face life bravely with honestly and simplicity.
If you let it, this book can be more than a pleasant reading experience. It can be a mind expanding lesson.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never quit on a book half way through, but I had to with this one. The characters were two dimensional, the dialogue literally triggered my gag reflex a couple times and after the first couple chapters the storyline dragged like an anvil over gravel. Despite identifying with her on several key aspects of her life, I found myself really not caring about the main character. I guess this one was just not for me.

[Janet Friesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally engrossing.

This was a new author for me and I believe this is one of the best books I have ever read. I do not usually like books written in the first person but I truly did not want to put this book down and I did not want it to end.. I loved it and will probably read it again.

[Stacey Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working my way through books on my kindle and finishing them, I had barely a hundred pages left on this one. Not sure why I didn’t finish so many years ago, but i was able to pick up where I left off and remember for the most part after skimming a few pages.
Cute, easy read, great family story.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could really relate to these characters, being a southern girl myself. I can even hear their voices in my mind-- they are so real and authentic.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read southern story. I just couldn't put it down! The story does a great job of twisting your mind from hectic city life to a well illustrated southern life.

[Stephanie Casterline · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Lots if twists and turns. Can't wait for the sequel.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and the story. Great read!

[Catherine Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had no idea just how much I would enjoy this book! I wish I could jump through the pages and meet these very real characters. A very pleasant surprise of a book!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story with some surprising twists!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, as I don't normally go for 'heartwarming' stories of families and love stuff. My two critiques of this book are:

1. Lack of realism. The love stuff was really over the top. At times, it was verging on barfy. The characters and their development within the story also seemed to be too extreme, one way or the other. One character in particular, went from being completely sullen and withdrawn to fully engaged and participating in the family's displays of love and affection, after only a single (apparently life-altering) conversation with the main character. I just don't believe people change that easily and drastically. Another reviewer mentioned how bizarre it was that the main character seemingly forgets that she has gained a huge inheritance, while at the same time being confronted by multiple situations in which her family could really benefit from a bit of extra cash.

2. Obviousness of certain plot lines. For sure, there were many plot developments that were not completely obvious. But others, I found myself reading along, impatiently waiting for them to happen. For example, the title of the book is Buying the Farm... Once we encountered a farm, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what was going to happen. And then with another character who had a medical condition, there was sufficient foreshadowing to not be at all surprised by what happened.

But again, I did really enjoy this book and would look forward to a sequel or reading anything else by the author.

[Lauretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about the power of love and family. Missi Jennings is living a miserable life as a paralegal in Washington, D. C. She hates her job, her boss, and her apartment. The boyfriend she loved and thought loved her came out as gay, and her mother, a well-known radio personality, constantly critizes Missi and everything about her life. The one bright point in her life is her quirky best friend. When Missi's mother dies suddenly in a horrific accident, Missi is shaken by her death but even more by the reading of the will when she learns she has just become a wealthy young woman. The biggest surprise, however, is learning that her mother had a family in Mississippi that Missi has never heard of. Hoping that her family can help her answer some of the questions she has about her mother, her unknown father, and Missi herself, she heads to Mississippi not knowing what she will find. What she finds is a big, loving, but imperfect family who accepts her for who she is and loves her unconditionally. For the first time in her life Missi feels she belongs. The sad circumstances of her birth and getting to know her mother's history bring both sadness and joy. The decision doesn't come easy, but Missi makes a leap of faith, leaving the past behind and looking to the future with hope.

[T.J. Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly heartwarming kind of book that had a wonderful balance of emotional responses, which is one of my favorite kinds. If you can evoke laughter and tears, both happy and sad, all rolled into a single story then you have done an awesome job as an author.

The one thing that kept me from rating this higher was how nearly every single character in this book fawned over Missi as though she was some sort of perfect paragon deserving adoration just because she exists, even those she just met 2 seconds ago. There are a few exceptions. Her boss, but he is such a tiny, minor character as to not make a difference. Nina, one of the few people that SHOULD have treated her that way, but again, still kind of at a periphery level. And her grandfather who is the only major character to kind of go the opposite direction. The near hero worship from so many characters nearly became too much and lessened some of her realism for me.

I did love the family story here and the various turns this took. It made the story feel very unique and atypical, which I loved. And the emotional touches were incredibly well done.

[Karen Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest,down to earth, real people and life situations.

One of the best novels I have read in a very long time. From beginning to end the story just rolled along and held my attention. Could not put this down for a moment because the characters are so true to life and the situations so heartwarmingly believable. The family members and friends as depicted are each loveable people you would want in your life and you can empathize with the emotions they are feeling. There is no violence, no awkward sex or outrageous language to muddy the sweetness of a long awaited reunion and rebirth of joy and happiness for a family separated by years of misunderstanding and little communication. A beautiful book.

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

"Buying the Farm" is one of those books that sucks you in immediately with its warmth, kindness, sweetness and caring. It is all if these things but not sappy in the least. Missi hasn't had a very good example of loving parents, but somehow she manages to leave her kind spirit with everyone she meets. I had a hard time putting this book down, and an even harder time as it grew closer to ending. A sequel is mandatory! I want to read more about the Little family and their adventures, especially Missi's as she starts a new life with her beloved family.

[Shari Ring Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story

Beautiful story about life, family, connection and what makes living worthwhile. The author describes feelings in a magical way so the story grabbed me from the first page. I love the way the main character went from depressed procrastinator to connection to others and inspiring friend and family member. I thought the story drug out a bit. The book is well written by an author who is knowledgeable about the written word and who writes creatively and professionally. A very sweet story.

[Susan M Neuhauser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed this book...

It was a nice story. I gave it 3 stars because the author has some growing to do. She made the common mistake of leaving in way too many adverbs, and way too few contractions. It made the story a little awkward for me, and kept pulling me out. But it was sweet, and I'd consider buying her next book, if only to see whether or not she grows as a writer.