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Finding Zelda
Zelda Bowen was the glue in her dysfunctional family, but who was holding her together?
When Bill Bowen ran off with a woman from his office, leaving no word of his whereabouts, he left his family reeling and angry. As always, Zelda, the middle of his three adult daughters, stepped in to keep the family functioning. It was something she was used to doing during her parents’ rocky marriage.
As Zelda puts her dreams and plans on hold to keep her crazy family going, her own life crumbles around her. Heaped on top are the family secrets she uncovers. Feeling trapped by her family and her own circumstances, it takes her irascible and snarky grandfather to show her the way out.
When Bill Bowen ran off with a woman from his office, leaving no word of his whereabouts, he left his family reeling and angry. As always, Zelda, the middle of his three adult daughters, stepped in to keep the family functioning. It was something she was used to doing during her parents’ rocky marriage.
As Zelda puts her dreams and plans on hold to keep her crazy family going, her own life crumbles around her. Heaped on top are the family secrets she uncovers. Feeling trapped by her family and her own circumstances, it takes her irascible and snarky grandfather to show her the way out.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2019
17 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Sue Ann Jaffarian
68 books545 followersSue Ann Jaffarian is the author of the popular Odelia Grey mystery series, the Ghost of Granny Apples mystery series and the Madison Rose vampire mysteries, as well as short stories.
Sue Ann also writes the Winnie Wilde romance novellas.
Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian is a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles.
In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after as a motivational/ humorous speaker. You can visit her on the web at www.sueannjaffarian.com, www.sueannjaffarian.blogspot.com, and on Twitter and Facebook.
Sue Ann also writes the Winnie Wilde romance novellas.
Like the character Odelia Grey, Sue Ann Jaffarian is a middle-aged, plus-sized paralegal. She lives in Los Angeles.
In addition to writing, Sue Ann is sought after as a motivational/ humorous speaker. You can visit her on the web at www.sueannjaffarian.com, www.sueannjaffarian.blogspot.com, and on Twitter and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 2, 2019
We first meet the Bowen family at Easter as Zelda and her two sisters, Norma and Bea, are arguing over who will wear the bunny costume that year for the kids. Normally, that is something their father would do, but he has vanished without a word to anyone. Even though the three women are grown, two of them with families of their own, his absence has repercussions in all of their lives and in their family overall. As the year progresses, how will they deal with what happened?
I was excited to see this novel come out. It started life as four short stories in a series called Holidays from Hell. Those stories, plus some additional scenes to help fill in the gaps, make up the first half of the novel, and I was anxious to find out what happened to Zelda. I wasn’t disappointed. While author Sue Ann Jaffarian is best known for her mystery novels, this isn’t a mystery. Instead, it’s a dysfunctional family dramedy. And yes, there are scenes that will make you laugh and scenes that will make you feel for the characters and what they are going through, especially Zelda. As our main characters, she is the most sympathetic, but all the characters have their moments as the book unfolds and all of them are great. This book definitely falls into the PG-13 realm with a smattering of foul language and some scenes that discuss characters’ sex lives. I could have done without those elements, but they are worth noting only in passing. Despite the fact that the book takes place roughly over the course of a year, we get a clear plot and only the scenes we need for the story. While originally conceived as a standalone novel, we are going to get more of Zelda’s adventures. I’m not sure where things can go from here, but I’m looking forward to visiting her again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I was excited to see this novel come out. It started life as four short stories in a series called Holidays from Hell. Those stories, plus some additional scenes to help fill in the gaps, make up the first half of the novel, and I was anxious to find out what happened to Zelda. I wasn’t disappointed. While author Sue Ann Jaffarian is best known for her mystery novels, this isn’t a mystery. Instead, it’s a dysfunctional family dramedy. And yes, there are scenes that will make you laugh and scenes that will make you feel for the characters and what they are going through, especially Zelda. As our main characters, she is the most sympathetic, but all the characters have their moments as the book unfolds and all of them are great. This book definitely falls into the PG-13 realm with a smattering of foul language and some scenes that discuss characters’ sex lives. I could have done without those elements, but they are worth noting only in passing. Despite the fact that the book takes place roughly over the course of a year, we get a clear plot and only the scenes we need for the story. While originally conceived as a standalone novel, we are going to get more of Zelda’s adventures. I’m not sure where things can go from here, but I’m looking forward to visiting her again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 17, 2020
I've decided to not finish this book after about 25%.
Initially, I wasn't a fan of the over-descriptiveness of the writing, but I wanted to give the story a try. After Zelda describes her "best friend" as looking like a hooker, I wanted to turn it off, but I kept going. When Zelda's best friend starts shaming Zelda for putting on some weight under the pretense that her sister will shame her for putting on weight.
On top of all that, Zelda and her two sisters are constantly shaming their Mom for smoking medical marijuana.
All of these characters are just mean to each other. I enjoy books with characters that you love to hate, but these people do not have any redeeming qualities.
Initially, I wasn't a fan of the over-descriptiveness of the writing, but I wanted to give the story a try. After Zelda describes her "best friend" as looking like a hooker, I wanted to turn it off, but I kept going. When Zelda's best friend starts shaming Zelda for putting on some weight under the pretense that her sister will shame her for putting on weight.
On top of all that, Zelda and her two sisters are constantly shaming their Mom for smoking medical marijuana.
All of these characters are just mean to each other. I enjoy books with characters that you love to hate, but these people do not have any redeeming qualities.
September 22, 2019
Another fantastic book by writer and full-time adventurer, Sue Ann Jaffarian, traveling the country in her Novel RV.
Zelda is one of three sisters in a dysfunctional family. The author’s great sense of humor definitely shows through in many parts of this book, yet I also shed a tear at one part. Amidst all the turmoil in her family, Zelda manages to eventually find herself and sets out to achieve her dreams. It was so much fun meeting the characters, including one named Crankshaft. This book was definitely one I didn’t want to put down until getting to the end, and it left me wanting more, which we will get with another book in the series. I can’t wait!
Zelda is one of three sisters in a dysfunctional family. The author’s great sense of humor definitely shows through in many parts of this book, yet I also shed a tear at one part. Amidst all the turmoil in her family, Zelda manages to eventually find herself and sets out to achieve her dreams. It was so much fun meeting the characters, including one named Crankshaft. This book was definitely one I didn’t want to put down until getting to the end, and it left me wanting more, which we will get with another book in the series. I can’t wait!
September 25, 2019
Loving Zelda!
Finding Zelda is a great read!a
We start out with Zelda’s life In turmoil. Her family life in disarray, dad’s MIA having abandoned the family to run off with his secretary to parts unknown, leaving Zelda, her two sisters and their mom all dealing with it in their own way.
Eventually after a series of life altering events, and an extended road trip Zelda finds perspective not only on her family but on her own dreams.
A great start to a series, I can’t wait for the second book.
Finding Zelda is a great read!a
We start out with Zelda’s life In turmoil. Her family life in disarray, dad’s MIA having abandoned the family to run off with his secretary to parts unknown, leaving Zelda, her two sisters and their mom all dealing with it in their own way.
Eventually after a series of life altering events, and an extended road trip Zelda finds perspective not only on her family but on her own dreams.
A great start to a series, I can’t wait for the second book.
October 2, 2019
I love Sue Ann Jaffarian! She is funny, smart, and can spin a tale that makes you want to devour it all in one setting! This book was not my usual read. I am a cozy mystery gal, but man am I glad I read it. I was also blessed to have my name featured in the book.❤️
This book puts the “fun” in dysfunctional, yet keeping it real and grounded. Zelda’s journey to find herself is incredibly relatable and heart warming. I laughed out loud and cried a little too. Everyone needs to read this book! You will be a better person for it!
This book puts the “fun” in dysfunctional, yet keeping it real and grounded. Zelda’s journey to find herself is incredibly relatable and heart warming. I laughed out loud and cried a little too. Everyone needs to read this book! You will be a better person for it!
September 23, 2019
Fabulous book! Sue Ann is a talented author! Finding Zelda is a story about family, obligation, self discovery, and following your dreams. Zelda’s family is more than dysfunctional but when he father ups and runs off with a younger woman, the family is set in turmoil. Trying to figure out how to deal with life now Zelda finds herself at a crossroad and learns about her family and herself. I loved this story. I’m so glad it’s #1 because that means there’s more to come.
September 21, 2019
Read without stopping
It's late, but I am glad I did not stop reading. This was a fascinating look at a family and Zelda's roll in her family. I laughed, cried, and thoroughly enjoyed. I do not do spoilers but I am tempted with this book. It was that good.
It's late, but I am glad I did not stop reading. This was a fascinating look at a family and Zelda's roll in her family. I laughed, cried, and thoroughly enjoyed. I do not do spoilers but I am tempted with this book. It was that good.
September 22, 2019
This is a modern-day drama. I enjoyed reading it and found it to be very realistic. The writing was very genuine. If you enjoy Ms. Jaffarian's writing style, read her Odelia Grey series or her Granny Apple series. They're witty, amusing, and fast-paced.
October 1, 2019
Another Fabulous Book
Zelda is the main character in a very interesting family. It is one of those books where you tune the world out until you finish it. I am so happy it will be a series of books!
Zelda is the main character in a very interesting family. It is one of those books where you tune the world out until you finish it. I am so happy it will be a series of books!
September 21, 2019
A zany, irreverent, hilariously honest and touching tale with true heart. Readers will pray Zelda’s first road trip is not her last. She’s a character for the long haul.
April 14, 2020
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.
This book centers on the MC Zelda trying to find her way after she experiences two life crises at the same time - loss of her job and her father abandoning her mother. This is well-written with some good humor and realistic family situations. What I enjoyed most was the heartwarming relationship Zelda creates with her grandfather during their road trip - I wish even more time had been spent on that. I will certainly look for other stories written by this author.
The narrator, Carrie Coello, did a very good job. The voice she created for Pops [Zelda's grandfather], in particular, was very good and fitting to the character.
This book centers on the MC Zelda trying to find her way after she experiences two life crises at the same time - loss of her job and her father abandoning her mother. This is well-written with some good humor and realistic family situations. What I enjoyed most was the heartwarming relationship Zelda creates with her grandfather during their road trip - I wish even more time had been spent on that. I will certainly look for other stories written by this author.
The narrator, Carrie Coello, did a very good job. The voice she created for Pops [Zelda's grandfather], in particular, was very good and fitting to the character.
March 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Sue Ann Jaffarian. She has a sense of humor I appreciate and she shares it in her writing. I've read all of her Odelia Gray series and most of the Granny Apples series. I didn't know what to expect when I read this book and I was not disappointed. There were many laugh out loud moments and then there were some serious and more thoughtful moments. I could identify with the Zelda character and the dysfunction of "family". Can't wait to read more about Zelda's adventures. This was just the story I needed to provide respite between my social justice and WWII books.
June 16, 2020
I love Sue Ann Jaffarian books and this first in a new series continues this feeling. I love the complex and zany family relationships, especially between Zelda and her grandfather. Love complications are great too as Zelda has to explore her attractions while looking at her emotional wounds. I can't wait to see what happens with Zelda next. I always end up feeling like I really know Sue Ann's characters and reading each following book is like visiting old friends and family. The personality quirks and flaws keep me wanting to read more.
October 1, 2020
audible:I totally enjoyed this book.Zelda is one of three sisters whos father leaves the family when she is an adult.He just up and leaves.This tells how she goes from having a job to having a life and all her adventures in between. Excellent narration by Carrie Coello.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
October 5, 2020
Zelda’s family is a title crazy. A mom that smoke weed, a father that disappeared without saying goodbye, two original sister and a grumpy grandfather. Can she find her own happiness while keeping her family together? A funny and sweet love and live’s story. Great audiobook.
June 26, 2020
Really good stand alone novel from Sue Ann Jaffarian.
Zelda has a crazy family, and she finds a way to be her own person while dealing with them all.
Zelda has a crazy family, and she finds a way to be her own person while dealing with them all.
November 8, 2019
In 2018 my writing colleague and friend Sue Ann Jaffarian told me she would detour from her established series to write Finding Zelda. When the book was released, I purchased a copy and hunkered down for some autumn reading.
Finding Zelda introduces us to a funny, smart, underappreciated, sensitive woman in her early 30s. We meet her in the middle of a family crisis involving bunny suits, abandonment, and a stuck zipper. Then for many enjoyable pages, we watch Zelda un-stick the metaphorical zippers of her life and move towards sanity, connection, and self-care. Much of this is accomplished on a road trip with Zelda’s grandfather, the aspect of the book I most enjoyed.
The plot moves forward with clarity. There’s no literary fuss, no blind alleys, just a story well told. The characters, especially the three sisters and Pops, feel like real folks you've met at the local Safeway or DMV. Humor pervades, swerving from slapstick to sarcasm to whimsy. Finding Zelda can also spin you from spontaneous chortles to tears in a few sentences. It takes on thorny gray-areas of life like how much of ourselves should we give up to love others, and it does so without offering sappy pseudo-solutions. I was particularly impressed with how much the story moved me emotionally without ever appearing to try.
Poet Mary Oliver asked us, “What is it you plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?” Finding Zelda lets us ride shotgun as Zelda finds her answers.
Finding Zelda introduces us to a funny, smart, underappreciated, sensitive woman in her early 30s. We meet her in the middle of a family crisis involving bunny suits, abandonment, and a stuck zipper. Then for many enjoyable pages, we watch Zelda un-stick the metaphorical zippers of her life and move towards sanity, connection, and self-care. Much of this is accomplished on a road trip with Zelda’s grandfather, the aspect of the book I most enjoyed.
The plot moves forward with clarity. There’s no literary fuss, no blind alleys, just a story well told. The characters, especially the three sisters and Pops, feel like real folks you've met at the local Safeway or DMV. Humor pervades, swerving from slapstick to sarcasm to whimsy. Finding Zelda can also spin you from spontaneous chortles to tears in a few sentences. It takes on thorny gray-areas of life like how much of ourselves should we give up to love others, and it does so without offering sappy pseudo-solutions. I was particularly impressed with how much the story moved me emotionally without ever appearing to try.
Poet Mary Oliver asked us, “What is it you plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?” Finding Zelda lets us ride shotgun as Zelda finds her answers.
November 1, 2019
Loved it, best one yet
I have loved Sue Ann’s characters from the start, Odelia and Granny, but Zelda tops the cake. I loved Zelda and her zany, crazy family and I love how Sue Ann has interjected part of her life into Zelda.Write what you know about comes to mind, be it Odelia being a paralegal as Sue Ann once was to now being On the road in their Winnebago. This was a total reversal of her solving crimes to just being a woman in charge. Great read and great story, thank you Sue Ann for another wonderful character to love.
I have loved Sue Ann’s characters from the start, Odelia and Granny, but Zelda tops the cake. I loved Zelda and her zany, crazy family and I love how Sue Ann has interjected part of her life into Zelda.Write what you know about comes to mind, be it Odelia being a paralegal as Sue Ann once was to now being On the road in their Winnebago. This was a total reversal of her solving crimes to just being a woman in charge. Great read and great story, thank you Sue Ann for another wonderful character to love.
December 11, 2019
I believe this book began as a series of short stories under the umbrella title "Holidays in Hell". When Sue retired and took up vagabonding in her RV van, she revisited the stories and transformed them into a novel. I was up until midnight reading it--Zelda's family is a bit crazy--and enjoyed every page. Zelda's trajectory is now following Sue's, but she didn't have to wait until retirement age to do so. As to my favorite character, it has to be Pops. What a guy!
February 10, 2020
Things we fear
Great story of family dysfunction and making your own way. Though I'm in my sixties, I identified with Zelda 's dream and the fear of breaking free of family expectations. Just wish I had a "Pops" to encourage me. A book for anyone who struggles to live your best life and shake off the legacy of the past. Don't we all? Can't wait to see what Zelda does next.
Great story of family dysfunction and making your own way. Though I'm in my sixties, I identified with Zelda 's dream and the fear of breaking free of family expectations. Just wish I had a "Pops" to encourage me. A book for anyone who struggles to live your best life and shake off the legacy of the past. Don't we all? Can't wait to see what Zelda does next.
November 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of Sue Ann Jaffarian's and have read all of her books. This is a standalone and the characters are very relatable. It doesn't show a perfect family, all the characters are extremely dysfunctional but they love each other.
December 24, 2019
Witty and Entertaining
I'm a Sue Ann Jaffarian fan and this first book in a new series does not disappoint. It's a lovely tale, with an interesting main character and a good story.I'm looking forward to the next story. I hope Ms. Jaffarian will write many in this series!
I'm a Sue Ann Jaffarian fan and this first book in a new series does not disappoint. It's a lovely tale, with an interesting main character and a good story.I'm looking forward to the next story. I hope Ms. Jaffarian will write many in this series!
September 23, 2019
I love these characters; I didn’t stop laughing. Despite this family being dysfunctional, there is still a lot of love. I laughed and cried. Finding Zelda is a 5 Star read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews