What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lost Queen of Crocker County
Jane Willow may have moved to LA to become a famous film critic, but when a family tragedy prompts her to return to Crocker County, Iowa, she is forced to confront everything she left behind. Before Jane can escape her past a second time, disasters strikes, and she will have to find a way to right her mistakes and save herself from her regrets.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2018
46 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Leiknes
11 books41 followersElizabeth Leiknes, author and teacher, grew up in rural Iowa and can make thirty-seven different dishes featuring corn. The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns was written somewhere between a third and fourth helping of Captain Crunch in Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy with her first child. She now lives and teaches English near Lake Tahoe with her husband, two sons, and mentally ill cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
July 10, 2018
Title: The Lost Queen of Crocker
Author: Elizabeth Leiknes
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS Landmark
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Lost Queen of Crocker" by Elizabeth Leikne
My Thoughts....
This is definitely one of those reads where you will get a little bit of it all...from 'laughter, tears, annoyance, indignation, disbelief, second chances, mistakes made, secrets and in the end happiness.' The story is what will happen when Jane Willow who was a film critic[Cinegirl] living her life to its fullest in Los Angeles come back home to Iowa due to her parents tragic death? Upon coming home after eighteen years the reader gets to see how Jane will confront issues of just why she left in the first place [personal secrets]. Will Jane be able to make that incident that had happened right? I liked how this author was able to convey to the readers a story that 'alternated between time periods and how she wive movie references so well throughout the read.' I liked how this author was able to bring out this story of just how and what Jane had to contend with and come to terms with after coming home. Be ready for some funny scene and some fun characters that will have you laughing out loud!
This was definitely a good story as Jane is faced with her past as well as her future as secrets that had been kept for so long are revealed and also to finally make up with her best friend [Charlotte] who had been ignored for so long. In the end the reader will get a powerful fun read shows a 'self forgiveness and the power of a wonderful community' that will keep one turning the pages to the end.
Author: Elizabeth Leiknes
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS Landmark
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Lost Queen of Crocker" by Elizabeth Leikne
My Thoughts....
This is definitely one of those reads where you will get a little bit of it all...from 'laughter, tears, annoyance, indignation, disbelief, second chances, mistakes made, secrets and in the end happiness.' The story is what will happen when Jane Willow who was a film critic[Cinegirl] living her life to its fullest in Los Angeles come back home to Iowa due to her parents tragic death? Upon coming home after eighteen years the reader gets to see how Jane will confront issues of just why she left in the first place [personal secrets]. Will Jane be able to make that incident that had happened right? I liked how this author was able to convey to the readers a story that 'alternated between time periods and how she wive movie references so well throughout the read.' I liked how this author was able to bring out this story of just how and what Jane had to contend with and come to terms with after coming home. Be ready for some funny scene and some fun characters that will have you laughing out loud!
This was definitely a good story as Jane is faced with her past as well as her future as secrets that had been kept for so long are revealed and also to finally make up with her best friend [Charlotte] who had been ignored for so long. In the end the reader will get a powerful fun read shows a 'self forgiveness and the power of a wonderful community' that will keep one turning the pages to the end.
March 15, 2019
"We don't have all the time in the world. There is darkness. There will always be darkness."
"That is to say, so much depends on the stars.
Fade to black. "
"That is to say, so much depends on the stars.
Fade to black. "
February 17, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an e-ARC of this title. First, I loved the cover! It screamed Midwest, and you just want to be there. I'd never heard of this author, and wasn't sure if I'd like the book. I loved it! I am only not giving it a 5, because I wish the ending had been wrapped up a bit more (although I see the purpose in leaving it open a bit...might we have a sequel??) The author did a good job in the alternating time periods, which kept me reading "just one more chapter..." I also loved the way movies were woven into the plot and the Jane's character. There are a few phrases used by the author's dad that I loved, but they were used just a little too much. That said, I wonder if they might mean something to the author? Either way, I felt like the characters were all so well developed...past and present. I will definitely be following the author's future books, and I've already downloaded 2 previous. Highly recommended. PS Actually....at the last minute, I realized how very much I did love the characters....I'm upping my stars to 5!
March 9, 2019
Janie Willow left Iowa for L.A. to pursue her dream of being a film critic. She has risen to become the acclaimed Cinegirl, known for her honest, and sometimes caustic reviews. But she had left behind her old self, the once hopeful Crocker County Corn Queen, in her home town, True City. When the tragic death of her parents forces her to return home, another tragedy compels her to stay.
As she is welcomed back with Midwestern hospitality and casseroles, the memories of her childhood and the reasons she left come flooding back to haunt her. She seeks to make amends and reconcile with her once best friend whom she had ignored for years. As she settles in to her childhood home she realizes she needs the balm of home to find the forgiveness, redemption and the second chance she craved.
The novel is quirky and told with the backdrop of a movie montage, but as I settled into the story I grew to like and support Janie and her Midwestern roots.
As she is welcomed back with Midwestern hospitality and casseroles, the memories of her childhood and the reasons she left come flooding back to haunt her. She seeks to make amends and reconcile with her once best friend whom she had ignored for years. As she settles in to her childhood home she realizes she needs the balm of home to find the forgiveness, redemption and the second chance she craved.
The novel is quirky and told with the backdrop of a movie montage, but as I settled into the story I grew to like and support Janie and her Midwestern roots.
June 22, 2018
Jane Willow left home and became a pretty well known movie critic. When she gets a devastating phone call, it wasn’t a question that she needed to go back “home”. The place she swore to never step foot in again. But when it comes to family, it’s what you do.
I found Jane to be quite refreshing. She is blunt, feisty and reviews her movies with tenacity and no holding back. But going home brings out a different side of her. It means she will have to deal with the tragic accident as well as whatever made her leave in the first place. What caused her to leave the place she grew up in? What caused her to never look back? Those are the questions we learn slowly about.
The setting of the small town, True City, Iowa, where everyone knows one another in some way or another. Either family and friends of family and friends of friends. I really enjoyed the small town setting, it reminded me of the town we live in. The townspeople were just amazing, especially Charlotte. The best friend that Jane left behind all those years ago.
The movies being woven in throughout this was a bonus to me, I liked seeing her take and how they played a part in her going back home. Jane’s story had plenty of sad moments of loss and heart break that brings tears to your eyes, I know it did mine. But it also some laughable moments as well.
The biggest part of this that I enjoyed so much was that this is a story of self forgiveness and redemption. I think fans of contemporaries will enjoy this one.
I found Jane to be quite refreshing. She is blunt, feisty and reviews her movies with tenacity and no holding back. But going home brings out a different side of her. It means she will have to deal with the tragic accident as well as whatever made her leave in the first place. What caused her to leave the place she grew up in? What caused her to never look back? Those are the questions we learn slowly about.
The setting of the small town, True City, Iowa, where everyone knows one another in some way or another. Either family and friends of family and friends of friends. I really enjoyed the small town setting, it reminded me of the town we live in. The townspeople were just amazing, especially Charlotte. The best friend that Jane left behind all those years ago.
The movies being woven in throughout this was a bonus to me, I liked seeing her take and how they played a part in her going back home. Jane’s story had plenty of sad moments of loss and heart break that brings tears to your eyes, I know it did mine. But it also some laughable moments as well.
The biggest part of this that I enjoyed so much was that this is a story of self forgiveness and redemption. I think fans of contemporaries will enjoy this one.
February 24, 2018
I love the title of this book and rather expected a quirky Southern story about a female heroine that was formerly a county fair queen. I was surprised to find that the female lead is living in Los Angeles and works as a movie critic. She has avoided going back home to the Midwest, not the South, because of personal secrets. Due to a tragedy, she has to return and deal with the demons she has avoided. This book has some funny scenes and the characters are fun. It is always good to see female leads show strength of character and for them to recognize the support they need and to be strong enough to embrace it.
July 2, 2018
A wonderful book! Elizabeth Leiknes writes her heroine with a wistful authority. The Lost Queen of Crocker County is a tale of the tenacity it takes to search one’s soul and find forgiveness there – and of the kind of grace that can only be found in your hometown.
September 6, 2018
This was okay. I didn’t love it and I didn’t dislike it. Just okay.
October 7, 2018
Almost gave up on this one. Took a lot of pages to finally grab my attention but worth the read.
February 9, 2018
Jane Willow breathes movies. As a result, she’s actually quite a lot of people. She’s Bond, George Bailey from It’s A Wonderful Life and Groundhog Day’s Phil Connors. Mostly, I think she’d say she’s Harold Hill from The Music Man. In her own way, Jane really is a sort of con man who accidentally finds tangible grace in a town full of people she never thought she’d have anything in common with.
She’s also Clark Kent – and like all superheroes, she has an alter ego: Cinegirl. She’s a straight-shooting film critic for the L.A. Times who spends her days slinging caustic barbs and reviewing indie movies with words like “excrement”. Jane is tough, accomplished and powerful – but beneath it, she’s forgotten why she loved movies so much in the first place.
Fate takes her back to her little Midwest hometown where the people believe in things, and she clashes – heavily. Her blunt, hardened self blunders around small town Iowa, re-living the experiences of that un-broken girl she used to be. In the process, her hardened self is melted with the help of all the beautifully odd people around her.
Jane is frustrating, raw and achingly honest – all of which makes her real. The story’s themes kind of run the gamut: a lot of the story’s symbolism centers around light vs. dark and the real vs. the unreal, which wraps up perfectly in Leiknes’ “All the world’s a stage” concept. There’s even a sort of alternate-dimension “movie” within the book, which shows us the story’s metaphysical underpinnings.
Overall, The Lost Queen of Crocker County is genuinely one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Jane’s butlerish editor reminded me so much of P.G. Wodehouse’s “Jeeves” and the flamboyant theater director Mr. Linart was extremely memorable. It’s definitely one of the most touching, too (I had some John Green-level tears). All this meshes well with the fact that Jane is a true movie lover: she’ll walk you through some of the greatest stories ever told, and the experience adds a kind of educational quality to everything.
Mostly, though, this is a story about redemption – but it never takes itself too seriously which, in my opinion, seems to be the hallmark of sincerely redemptive stories. I definitely recommend it.
She’s also Clark Kent – and like all superheroes, she has an alter ego: Cinegirl. She’s a straight-shooting film critic for the L.A. Times who spends her days slinging caustic barbs and reviewing indie movies with words like “excrement”. Jane is tough, accomplished and powerful – but beneath it, she’s forgotten why she loved movies so much in the first place.
Fate takes her back to her little Midwest hometown where the people believe in things, and she clashes – heavily. Her blunt, hardened self blunders around small town Iowa, re-living the experiences of that un-broken girl she used to be. In the process, her hardened self is melted with the help of all the beautifully odd people around her.
Jane is frustrating, raw and achingly honest – all of which makes her real. The story’s themes kind of run the gamut: a lot of the story’s symbolism centers around light vs. dark and the real vs. the unreal, which wraps up perfectly in Leiknes’ “All the world’s a stage” concept. There’s even a sort of alternate-dimension “movie” within the book, which shows us the story’s metaphysical underpinnings.
Overall, The Lost Queen of Crocker County is genuinely one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Jane’s butlerish editor reminded me so much of P.G. Wodehouse’s “Jeeves” and the flamboyant theater director Mr. Linart was extremely memorable. It’s definitely one of the most touching, too (I had some John Green-level tears). All this meshes well with the fact that Jane is a true movie lover: she’ll walk you through some of the greatest stories ever told, and the experience adds a kind of educational quality to everything.
Mostly, though, this is a story about redemption – but it never takes itself too seriously which, in my opinion, seems to be the hallmark of sincerely redemptive stories. I definitely recommend it.
September 6, 2018
I was looking forward to reading this one and when it finally came in at the library, I was thrilled.
Aaaaaand cue the disappointment.
The writing was uneven and the script format sections for Bliss were just annoying as hell. Leiknes apparently did no more research into Iowa than looking at a Wikipedia article because she hit all the usual cliches about the state. The "American Gothic" house in Eldon? Check. The Field of Dreams movie? Check. Lots of corn? Check. And FYI, in 1993, Iowans were not praying for rain as indicated in the Corn Queen fiasco, we were praying that it would STOP raining because that's when we had the horrendous Flood of 1993 that pretty much put all the state underwater. And I'm also pretty sure the farm crisis of the 1980s that crippled so many family farms was pretty much settled by 1993. I know, I've lived in Iowa all my life.
The parents were total Mary-Sues/Gary-Stus that everyone loved so much in town and they even named the twin grain silos after them. I'm not sure Catholics were fine with people wearing jeans to church because all the Catholics I've known have always dressed up for church, especially in a small town. There were way too many plot devices that were thrown in and quickly discarded...the best friend falling in love with a female trapeze artist, same best friend getting a divorce and her husband wants the kidney he donated to her back, the girl who gets hit by a car and is in a coma, the whole pregnancy shtick...all too coinkydink and not well-resolved by the end of the book.
There's also no Crocker County or True City in Iowa. Not sure why Leiknes didn't use a real-life county and city in the state since she used all the cliched crap about Iowa as it is. This was supposedly a love letter to the Midwest and if this is a love letter, it's a Dear John one. "Dear Iowa, it's not you, it's me. I didn't research you well enough and I had way too many ideas I wanted to throw into this novel, along with annoying and unlikeable characters. I think we should see other states. I hear Maryland is great this time of year."
So this was a nope for me.
Aaaaaand cue the disappointment.
The writing was uneven and the script format sections for Bliss were just annoying as hell. Leiknes apparently did no more research into Iowa than looking at a Wikipedia article because she hit all the usual cliches about the state. The "American Gothic" house in Eldon? Check. The Field of Dreams movie? Check. Lots of corn? Check. And FYI, in 1993, Iowans were not praying for rain as indicated in the Corn Queen fiasco, we were praying that it would STOP raining because that's when we had the horrendous Flood of 1993 that pretty much put all the state underwater. And I'm also pretty sure the farm crisis of the 1980s that crippled so many family farms was pretty much settled by 1993. I know, I've lived in Iowa all my life.
The parents were total Mary-Sues/Gary-Stus that everyone loved so much in town and they even named the twin grain silos after them. I'm not sure Catholics were fine with people wearing jeans to church because all the Catholics I've known have always dressed up for church, especially in a small town. There were way too many plot devices that were thrown in and quickly discarded...the best friend falling in love with a female trapeze artist, same best friend getting a divorce and her husband wants the kidney he donated to her back, the girl who gets hit by a car and is in a coma, the whole pregnancy shtick...all too coinkydink and not well-resolved by the end of the book.
There's also no Crocker County or True City in Iowa. Not sure why Leiknes didn't use a real-life county and city in the state since she used all the cliched crap about Iowa as it is. This was supposedly a love letter to the Midwest and if this is a love letter, it's a Dear John one. "Dear Iowa, it's not you, it's me. I didn't research you well enough and I had way too many ideas I wanted to throw into this novel, along with annoying and unlikeable characters. I think we should see other states. I hear Maryland is great this time of year."
So this was a nope for me.
February 16, 2018
Jane Willow loves movies and is a famous film critic in Los Angeles. She isn't afraid to call the most anticipated film of the year a piece of crap. Jane hasn't been back to her hometown in Iowa in eighteen years and is even in the process of buying her parents a townhouse in California so they will be near her. Then it all changes when she gets a tragic phone call and finally heads home. During Jane's trip home, she comes to terms with the secrets that kept her away for so long and makes up with the best friend she ignored for all those years.
This was an amazing book. I may have shed a few tears while reading but there was also laughter. The book constantly had me smiling and I loved Jane (Janie once she arrives home), she was a great character. Some of the parts that put a smile on my face:
* Happy Days Funeral Home. Yes, the funeral home was named Happy Days and Janie was
quickly points out that the director doesn't look like the Fonz or one of the seven dwarfs.
* Janie's friend Charlotte answers phone calls for a Meatloaf Hotline and asks the callers what
their meatloaf emergency is. By the way, it's for the food not the singer. Weirdly enough, she
gets a lot of calls from people who can't properly make it.
* Silence of the Lambs. Neighbors happen to stop over at the house on the day of the funeral to
drop off some casseroles right as Buffalo Bill is doing his naked dance. They pretty much
though Janie was crazy!!
The whole book just made me smile. I can;t wait to read more books by the author. I loved the characters, story line and writing style. I definitely recommend the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and the author, Elizabeth Leiknes, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
This was an amazing book. I may have shed a few tears while reading but there was also laughter. The book constantly had me smiling and I loved Jane (Janie once she arrives home), she was a great character. Some of the parts that put a smile on my face:
* Happy Days Funeral Home. Yes, the funeral home was named Happy Days and Janie was
quickly points out that the director doesn't look like the Fonz or one of the seven dwarfs.
* Janie's friend Charlotte answers phone calls for a Meatloaf Hotline and asks the callers what
their meatloaf emergency is. By the way, it's for the food not the singer. Weirdly enough, she
gets a lot of calls from people who can't properly make it.
* Silence of the Lambs. Neighbors happen to stop over at the house on the day of the funeral to
drop off some casseroles right as Buffalo Bill is doing his naked dance. They pretty much
though Janie was crazy!!
The whole book just made me smile. I can;t wait to read more books by the author. I loved the characters, story line and writing style. I definitely recommend the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and the author, Elizabeth Leiknes, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
March 18, 2018
I loved the book, and read it quickly so I could see if it had a happy ending. It was wonderful - I fell in love with the main character and remembered everything I loved about living in Michigan. I live in California now, and I’d never go back to snow country, but I knew people just like those in the book. This is a definite tear=jerking, feel-good book.
July 5, 2018
For some reason, it seems that many writers of women’s fiction believe that their novels should contain enough angst to peel paint from walls. Everything bad in the world happens to victimize their main character until you are drowning in their tears and need your own refuge.
Fortunately I’ve read two women’s fiction novels this year that defy that convention, and I hope that these novels spark a new trend.
The Lost Queen of Crocker County is one of those novels, which I finished reading in the wee hours of the morning because it was just that good.
Willow. Jane Willow (she likes to introduce herself like Bond) is a unique character. A film buff, an acid-tongued film critic, and a woman who has runaway from her past and home and refuses to return until occurrences beyond her control force her to. And even then, back home in Iowa, fate has another episode in store for her that may just prove to be her undoing.
I have an affinity for snarky characters as long as they don’t descend into crass. Jane is snarky and smart (without crass). While she seems prickly, bits of her real character, the one hiding under the surface appear.
While there is a huge coincidence, I was fine with it because it fit The Lost Queen of Crocker County. I felt Elizabeth Leiknes was invoking the hand of fate and tossing a little magic in as well, just the way you would imagine that they do in the movies. And, we realize that Jane is not only a movie buff, but she brings a bit of theatrical to her world as well.
All of the supporting characters felt like living, breathing people with their quirks and mood shift. Her best friend who she hasn’t spoken to in years is going through her own crisis and is operating a meatloaf hot line.
There are a few jaw-dropping hilarious moments like when Jane checks to see where her parents had stopped watching The Silence of the Lambs,and the neighbors bearing comfort food enter to see naked Buffalo Bill dancing around the screen and are mortified as much as Jane is. Then there are moments as when Jane looks into the deep freeze and sees all of the casseroles her mother had cooked, expecting her to return home. Next to each other, these scenes have the reader on a roller coaster of emotions.
And all the while there’s preparation for a high school production of The Music Man and there’s trouble right there in River City, paralleling the magic in Jane’s life.
The writing is frequently poetic with a good dose of practical philosophy that will have you stopping at intervals to reflect on life in general.
If you’ve stayed away from women’s fiction because of its predictability and victim-driven-angst, give this one a go. It’s a satisfying, unpredictable read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fortunately I’ve read two women’s fiction novels this year that defy that convention, and I hope that these novels spark a new trend.
The Lost Queen of Crocker County is one of those novels, which I finished reading in the wee hours of the morning because it was just that good.
Willow. Jane Willow (she likes to introduce herself like Bond) is a unique character. A film buff, an acid-tongued film critic, and a woman who has runaway from her past and home and refuses to return until occurrences beyond her control force her to. And even then, back home in Iowa, fate has another episode in store for her that may just prove to be her undoing.
I have an affinity for snarky characters as long as they don’t descend into crass. Jane is snarky and smart (without crass). While she seems prickly, bits of her real character, the one hiding under the surface appear.
While there is a huge coincidence, I was fine with it because it fit The Lost Queen of Crocker County. I felt Elizabeth Leiknes was invoking the hand of fate and tossing a little magic in as well, just the way you would imagine that they do in the movies. And, we realize that Jane is not only a movie buff, but she brings a bit of theatrical to her world as well.
All of the supporting characters felt like living, breathing people with their quirks and mood shift. Her best friend who she hasn’t spoken to in years is going through her own crisis and is operating a meatloaf hot line.
There are a few jaw-dropping hilarious moments like when Jane checks to see where her parents had stopped watching The Silence of the Lambs,and the neighbors bearing comfort food enter to see naked Buffalo Bill dancing around the screen and are mortified as much as Jane is. Then there are moments as when Jane looks into the deep freeze and sees all of the casseroles her mother had cooked, expecting her to return home. Next to each other, these scenes have the reader on a roller coaster of emotions.
And all the while there’s preparation for a high school production of The Music Man and there’s trouble right there in River City, paralleling the magic in Jane’s life.
The writing is frequently poetic with a good dose of practical philosophy that will have you stopping at intervals to reflect on life in general.
If you’ve stayed away from women’s fiction because of its predictability and victim-driven-angst, give this one a go. It’s a satisfying, unpredictable read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2022
Somewhere hiding in here is the book I wanted to read when I picked this up -- a beautiful story about rural Iowa, about the farm never quite leaving the girl who left it, about that feeling of home. For me, this moves from a 5-star read to a 2.5-star read in all of the utterly nonsensical happenings that defy reality and logic. Events are utterly unbelievable, and we thus lose the character of the protagonist. My list of eye-rolling moments: It was all just too much unbelievability for me.
January 21, 2021
I feel like such a jerk for being mean about this book. I know that someone put a lot of time and thought and effort into writing it, and I respect that. But I’ve also learned that not every book is for me, and that I need to think through the reasons why.
What I liked:
- There were one or two little twists I didn’t see coming.
- The cover. (It was misleading - this is not happy fluff.)
What I disliked:
- The main character was a foul-mouthed, narcissistic jerk who made terrible, impractical decisions FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON.
- Just when I thought things were going to get better, they got much worse. And then stacked some more bad decisions on time.
- So many unflattering, one-dimensional stereotypes about the Midwest. And about LA, for that matter.
- The main character’s job is to write a super-popular (what? Article? Blog? I’m not sure) called Cinegirl. Which feels like the cheesy name they put in a low-budget movie to prove that someone is a Famous Film Critic.
- EVERYTHING went back to movies. The narrator described every scene as if it was a film, and whole chapters were written as scripts. Film references might have been fine in moderation, but it was definite overkill for me.
- The ending was SO TIDY, which I can kind of appreciate except for the part where people had to forgive some BIG mistakes/lies/hurts so quickly that it wasn’t the tiniest bit realistic.
What I liked:
- There were one or two little twists I didn’t see coming.
- The cover. (It was misleading - this is not happy fluff.)
What I disliked:
- The main character was a foul-mouthed, narcissistic jerk who made terrible, impractical decisions FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON.
- Just when I thought things were going to get better, they got much worse. And then stacked some more bad decisions on time.
- So many unflattering, one-dimensional stereotypes about the Midwest. And about LA, for that matter.
- The main character’s job is to write a super-popular (what? Article? Blog? I’m not sure) called Cinegirl. Which feels like the cheesy name they put in a low-budget movie to prove that someone is a Famous Film Critic.
- EVERYTHING went back to movies. The narrator described every scene as if it was a film, and whole chapters were written as scripts. Film references might have been fine in moderation, but it was definite overkill for me.
- The ending was SO TIDY, which I can kind of appreciate except for the part where people had to forgive some BIG mistakes/lies/hurts so quickly that it wasn’t the tiniest bit realistic.
July 7, 2018
So I’m a sucker for the books about going home to your rural county as an adult (since I left mine and haven’t gone back permanently), and since this one was about the rural Midwest instead of the South (there are lot of Southern chick lit books following this theme) I thought I would really like it.
But it just didn’t work for me. I’m giving it 3 stars, because it wasn’t terrible and I could see others liking it, just not me. I didn’t really like Jane and didn’t think she was a good person, even with what she did to try to redeem herself. I saw the plot twist coming a mile away. And I know it was paying homage to movies, and that part of it was to make Jane’s career choice believable, but it was just way too dramatic. Like over the top. Some of the lines just made me cringe.
But if this kind of drama is what you like in your chick lit books, then maybe it will work for you. It’s getting some good reviews so far, so maybe I’m just a little too curmudgeonly for this particular book.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
But it just didn’t work for me. I’m giving it 3 stars, because it wasn’t terrible and I could see others liking it, just not me. I didn’t really like Jane and didn’t think she was a good person, even with what she did to try to redeem herself. I saw the plot twist coming a mile away. And I know it was paying homage to movies, and that part of it was to make Jane’s career choice believable, but it was just way too dramatic. Like over the top. Some of the lines just made me cringe.
But if this kind of drama is what you like in your chick lit books, then maybe it will work for you. It’s getting some good reviews so far, so maybe I’m just a little too curmudgeonly for this particular book.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2018
This book put me through the emotional wringer - laughter, tears, annoyance, indignation, disbelief, and happiness. Jane is Cinegirl, a film critic that is based in Los Angeles. She is living her dream life, reviewing movies and her parents always, always come from Iowa to visit her. When her parents die a tragic death she goes home for the first time since she left years and years ago. Coming home forces her to confront why she left and never came home and the best friend she left behind. She is also involved in an incident that she is desperate to make right. A story of life and home and the choices we make to survive.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.
February 17, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this novel where a popular film critic from Hollywood heads back to Iowa on the death of her parents. She hasn't been "home" in 18 years and there's a lot she needs to come to terms with. besides the aching loss of her parents. I especially love how the author wove movie references throughout the story. I had to look some of them up (and loved what I found!) but most I was familiar with, and enjoyed how each reference to a film took me deeper into the mind of the main character. Well-written, intriguing and believable characters, forward-moving plot that kept me turning the pages. A beautiful story of self-forgiveness and the power of community.
January 13, 2018
An engaging, entertaining read from start to finish. Highly Recommend!
Jane Willow is a sassy, self-made success story. When tragedy strikes, she is forced to confront a past she vowed to leave behind. Alternating between poignant and downright funny, Elizabeth Leiknes weaves a tale of redemption that shows us that second chances can turn up when we least expect them. A wonderful story from start to finish. Don’t miss this one!
Jane Willow is a sassy, self-made success story. When tragedy strikes, she is forced to confront a past she vowed to leave behind. Alternating between poignant and downright funny, Elizabeth Leiknes weaves a tale of redemption that shows us that second chances can turn up when we least expect them. A wonderful story from start to finish. Don’t miss this one!
February 26, 2018
Jane Willow gets bad news and heads home to small town Iowa, where she hasn’t been back for years. This is a story of second chances, of mistakes made, choices that were meant to hide it but come back to force attention to the past. Jane was Janie in Iowa, a corn queen, not the Jane “Cinegirl” known for her wicked movie reviews. Jane is a strong female character, and the old time movie references add a unique dimension. Recommended.
March 21, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book.
I thought it was a beautifully written story about forgiveness and second chances.
I loved this story, it had me laughing and crying.
I also liked the author’s writing style, how she told the story by alternating between time periods and how she used movie references throughout the story.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I thought it was a beautifully written story about forgiveness and second chances.
I loved this story, it had me laughing and crying.
I also liked the author’s writing style, how she told the story by alternating between time periods and how she used movie references throughout the story.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
August 29, 2018
I’ll admit that I picked up this book based more on the author’s bio than on the description of the book. What’s not to love about a woman who “can make thirty-seven dishes featuring corn”? But I guess that made me think this would be a light-hearted, fun book. Nope! There was just one tragedy after another so large parts of it were quite depressing. So that’s a lesson learned for me.
July 7, 2018
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm kind of at a 3.5 on this one, rounded up. I read it really quickly because I was so curious about this story, and there were so many things I really wanted to find out. What was the secret that Jane has been keeping that kept her away from home all these years? I had a lot of ideas, but the truth very nearly broke my heart. The part I struggled with in this book . I really hoped that things were going to turn out alright on that one, but Jane's choices around how to handle it made me really nervous! Loved all the film references, and this Midwestern girl really enjoys a story about the small towns that keep churning along despite the hardships.
I'm kind of at a 3.5 on this one, rounded up. I read it really quickly because I was so curious about this story, and there were so many things I really wanted to find out. What was the secret that Jane has been keeping that kept her away from home all these years? I had a lot of ideas, but the truth very nearly broke my heart. The part I struggled with in this book . I really hoped that things were going to turn out alright on that one, but Jane's choices around how to handle it made me really nervous! Loved all the film references, and this Midwestern girl really enjoys a story about the small towns that keep churning along despite the hardships.
September 14, 2022
I thought this would be a more heartfelt story about a woman who returns home to her small town , but the main character was not very likable and I didn’t find the story to be heartwarming at all. It wasn’t terrible but I wouldn’t recommend . The synopsis made it seem like it would be a lot more charming than it actually was.
June 26, 2019
This story have me all the good feels and put a smile on my face! I very much enjoyed the writing style and the characters. The setting was great with the plotlines. I definitely would recommend this feel-good novel!
September 7, 2018
A beautiful tribute to family, and Iowa.
July 30, 2020
My niece recently came to stay with me for a few weeks. Within minutes of arriving, she handed me this book, declared how much she hated it (i.e. "worst book I've ever read"), then strongly requested I read it so we could talk about it. Not one to deny her anything, despite that poor endorsement, I read it followed by our "book club" discussion last night. Full disclosure, she is originally from small town Iowa, currently living in Chicago. This subject matter should have appealed to her on many levels (a woman lives in LA but only returns home to Iowa after a family tragedy). I'm a bit torn as it has been drilled into me from my husband's Midwest family that "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all". Unfortunately, I'm Southern of the saying only nice things is boring variety.
I can't say I hated this. It would have had to inspire stronger passions/feelings in me to reach true hate status. This is truly terrible. The writing is all over the place with huge plot points that get dropped never to be heard from again and irreverent information tossed in for what I assume is flavor to the plot but instead had me like WTF? There are a few plot twists that make absolutely NO SENSE. None. We had a great time laughing at some of them, although I'm pretty sure they weren't meant to be funny. I have absolutely no idea how the author pulled it off, yet the characterization managed to be full Midwestern and LA/California stereotypes (and mostly surface, unflattering, and inaccurate ones) while also being inconsistent in the decisions and choices made, especially by the main character.
I had a fantastic time laughing and bonding over this while sharing some wine and charcuterie with my beloved niece. If anything, I can't hate it for that reason.
I can't say I hated this. It would have had to inspire stronger passions/feelings in me to reach true hate status. This is truly terrible. The writing is all over the place with huge plot points that get dropped never to be heard from again and irreverent information tossed in for what I assume is flavor to the plot but instead had me like WTF? There are a few plot twists that make absolutely NO SENSE. None. We had a great time laughing at some of them, although I'm pretty sure they weren't meant to be funny. I have absolutely no idea how the author pulled it off, yet the characterization managed to be full Midwestern and LA/California stereotypes (and mostly surface, unflattering, and inaccurate ones) while also being inconsistent in the decisions and choices made, especially by the main character.
I had a fantastic time laughing and bonding over this while sharing some wine and charcuterie with my beloved niece. If anything, I can't hate it for that reason.
July 23, 2018
This book captured my heart! I really enjoyed the voice of Janie Willow - I could hear her as she tried to figure out her complicated feelings of shame and regret. I was rooting for her to find happiness! The movie references were clever - they make me want to watch all the movies that were referenced.
Having grown up in a small town, I know what it's like to go back after living away for a very long time. This author perfectly described the difficulty of balancing who one is while growing up with who one becomes as an adult. I really enjoyed this book!
Having grown up in a small town, I know what it's like to go back after living away for a very long time. This author perfectly described the difficulty of balancing who one is while growing up with who one becomes as an adult. I really enjoyed this book!
December 31, 2018
I've never been to Iowa, haven't even driven through it on the way to someplace else. Since I read this book, I've made scalloped corn casserole twice and have warm feelings for a state I hope to visit someday. I loved the characters and the way they evolved, and the twisty storyline. There were times I was angry, times I was sad, and times that I laughed out loud. No spoilers in this review, but I highly recommend you put a meatloaf in the oven and start reading it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews