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The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
Listening Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.
One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon. Bottom line -- Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.
The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?
Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.
One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon. Bottom line -- Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.
The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?
Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 28, 2023
1393 people are currently reading
71854 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Oakley
10 books2,285 followersColleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of Jane and Dan at the End of the World, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too and other unconventional love stories. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages around the world, lauded by numerous magazines including People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple, and won multiple awards including Georgia Author of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,161 reviews
August 8, 2025
I don’t have enough words to express how much I loved this book! What a fun reading with classic 90’s movie vibes: Thelma& Louise, Driving Miss Daisy, Midnight Run.
The characterization was perfect! The mysterious plot blended in laugh out loud text and interrogation transcripts between Louise’s kids and witty banters between Tanner and Louise! For so long I haven’t laughed so hard! If this book will be adapted into screenplay ( definitely should be) Helen Mirren is my candidate to play Louise!
Let’s take a look at the entertaining plot;
Tanner & Louise are the oldest pair: Tanner: dropped out college girl at the age 21, wearing dirty t-shirts, sweatpants, glued to the couch, playing video games all day.
Louise: eighty four, sharp witted, blunt, stick to 4 o’clock vodka happy hours, finishing her crossword puzzles.
Tanner is sulking, bottling up her anger and frustration after having a unfortunate accident which harms her leg, destroying her dreams to be soccer player and losing her full scholarship.
As an intervention, her parents kick her out of her childhood house, finding her a job and new home: she’s going to take care of Louise who also fractured her hip, needing someone to drive her to several places, running errands.
Tanner slowly adapts in her new life, barely sleeping at restless bed, listening disturbing ticking sound of grandpa clock, serving 4 o’clock vodkas, sniffing abrupt smell of her new landlord, ogling August who stops by to repair Louise’s car!
But she watches the breaking news. They released an aged photo of notorious jewelry thief who is running from the authorities nearly 4 decades ! Why this woman is carbon copy of Louise?
And why she appears in her room in the middle of the night to scream at her pack immediately! She also offers her to pay for driving her to California as the police sirens are blasting out outside!
Tanner has to make choice: she can live her uneventful, boring life: without any hope to go back to college and old life or she can break her rules, driving Louise to her destination, getting paid, living like outlaws for a few days. She can tell the authorities Louise kidnapped her is things got out of control!
Tanner decides to drive Miss Wilt without having any idea what kind of big double she gets herself into.
I adored those characters and this mind blowing, exciting, humorous and also heartfelt road trip story!
This is so far my favorite book of the author! I advise you just read it, read it and read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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The characterization was perfect! The mysterious plot blended in laugh out loud text and interrogation transcripts between Louise’s kids and witty banters between Tanner and Louise! For so long I haven’t laughed so hard! If this book will be adapted into screenplay ( definitely should be) Helen Mirren is my candidate to play Louise!
Let’s take a look at the entertaining plot;
Tanner & Louise are the oldest pair: Tanner: dropped out college girl at the age 21, wearing dirty t-shirts, sweatpants, glued to the couch, playing video games all day.
Louise: eighty four, sharp witted, blunt, stick to 4 o’clock vodka happy hours, finishing her crossword puzzles.
Tanner is sulking, bottling up her anger and frustration after having a unfortunate accident which harms her leg, destroying her dreams to be soccer player and losing her full scholarship.
As an intervention, her parents kick her out of her childhood house, finding her a job and new home: she’s going to take care of Louise who also fractured her hip, needing someone to drive her to several places, running errands.
Tanner slowly adapts in her new life, barely sleeping at restless bed, listening disturbing ticking sound of grandpa clock, serving 4 o’clock vodkas, sniffing abrupt smell of her new landlord, ogling August who stops by to repair Louise’s car!
But she watches the breaking news. They released an aged photo of notorious jewelry thief who is running from the authorities nearly 4 decades ! Why this woman is carbon copy of Louise?
And why she appears in her room in the middle of the night to scream at her pack immediately! She also offers her to pay for driving her to California as the police sirens are blasting out outside!
Tanner has to make choice: she can live her uneventful, boring life: without any hope to go back to college and old life or she can break her rules, driving Louise to her destination, getting paid, living like outlaws for a few days. She can tell the authorities Louise kidnapped her is things got out of control!
Tanner decides to drive Miss Wilt without having any idea what kind of big double she gets herself into.
I adored those characters and this mind blowing, exciting, humorous and also heartfelt road trip story!
This is so far my favorite book of the author! I advise you just read it, read it and read it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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March 28, 2023
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Oil and water, that is Tanner and Louise. Eighty three year old Louise broke her hip and now that she is home from the hospital and rehab her daughter won't mind her own business and has made Louise get a live-in caregiver. Louise cherishes her alone time and not having a person in her house that can act as a nosy spy/tattletale for her daughter.
Tanner was flying high mostly. And then a disaster led to more disasters and now her only desire is to play her favorite video games all the time. But her mom has kicked her out of the basement and she had to get a job watching over a cranky woman old enough to be her great grandmother.
The two eventually fall into mutual ignore-ment, with set times for Tanner to use the only TV for her gaming and set times for Louise to have the TV for news and favorite shows. They barely have to speak to each other which suits both of them just fine. So things are working out as best that they can when...ROAD TRIP!!! What the heck! Tanner is going to bow out but the bribe is too good and she knows that Louise really does need her. Louise knows she is good for Tanner whether Tanner likes it or not. Plus there is some emergency that Louise won't disclose. So off they go!
I can handle these two. For all their tough veneers, Tanner (I need nobody) and Louise (prim and proper with a fierce bite) are a nice combination of vulnerable and capable of adapting to what comes their way. Both of them are really good with the zingers and now Louise doesn't have to be lonely on her road trip while Tanner is actually growing in confidence in this extremely odd employment opportunity. Sometimes I want to pinch both their cheeks which would not go over well with either of them but they are just so cute, each in their own ways. For me, this is a feel good story, finding the help you didn't want to admit you needed, in the least likely place.
Pub: Mar 28th 2023
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
by Colleen Oakley
Oil and water, that is Tanner and Louise. Eighty three year old Louise broke her hip and now that she is home from the hospital and rehab her daughter won't mind her own business and has made Louise get a live-in caregiver. Louise cherishes her alone time and not having a person in her house that can act as a nosy spy/tattletale for her daughter.
Tanner was flying high mostly. And then a disaster led to more disasters and now her only desire is to play her favorite video games all the time. But her mom has kicked her out of the basement and she had to get a job watching over a cranky woman old enough to be her great grandmother.
The two eventually fall into mutual ignore-ment, with set times for Tanner to use the only TV for her gaming and set times for Louise to have the TV for news and favorite shows. They barely have to speak to each other which suits both of them just fine. So things are working out as best that they can when...ROAD TRIP!!! What the heck! Tanner is going to bow out but the bribe is too good and she knows that Louise really does need her. Louise knows she is good for Tanner whether Tanner likes it or not. Plus there is some emergency that Louise won't disclose. So off they go!
I can handle these two. For all their tough veneers, Tanner (I need nobody) and Louise (prim and proper with a fierce bite) are a nice combination of vulnerable and capable of adapting to what comes their way. Both of them are really good with the zingers and now Louise doesn't have to be lonely on her road trip while Tanner is actually growing in confidence in this extremely odd employment opportunity. Sometimes I want to pinch both their cheeks which would not go over well with either of them but they are just so cute, each in their own ways. For me, this is a feel good story, finding the help you didn't want to admit you needed, in the least likely place.
Pub: Mar 28th 2023
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
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January 27, 2023Tanner needs a job and a place to live. Louise needs a full-time caregiver. This unlikely duo is content to ignore each other, that is until Tanner starts to feel like Louise is hiding something... A blast to read.
March 28, 2023
Octogenarians are definitely having a moment in literature!
Some have taken road trips to attain something, while others have taken one because they needed an escape!
A few have been amateur detectives or retired assassins…and now, we have Mrs. Wilt-who just might be the “never caught” renowned jewel thief of the famous Kinsey diamond.
Ever since 21 year old, Tanner Quimby got injured and lost her Soccer scholarship, she has been in a rut. She sits around in sweat pants, playing “Horizon Zero Dawn” for hours, because now that Soccer is off the table-she isn’t sure what to do with her life.
Louise Wilt, needs a caretaker of sorts. Mostly, she needs a driver, because since falling, she is unable to operate a motor vehicle on her own. Tanner agrees to take the “job” hoping to make some money so she can return for her senior year at Northwestern.
But when Tanner sees a “breaking news” story about one of the greatest unsolved jewel heists in American History, she cannot help but notice that the age progressed “suspect” looks alarmingly like “Mrs. Wilt”.
So when Tanner is woken up by the sound of sirens, and Mrs. Wilt appears in her room with a packed suitcase at 1 AM insisting that they leave town immediately-she finds herself becoming the “getaway driver” for an 84 year old woman “on the lam”, while Mrs. Wilt’s daughter has to report both women as MISSING.
Yes, Tanner and Louise are on a “Thelma and Louise” road trip to California, inspired in part by the author’s own grandmother, a fierce woman who never missed her 5 PM cocktail and “didn’t suffer fools”!
Mrs. Wilt is always ONE STEP ahead of everyone, including the FBI, and Tanner just may learn something along the way that helps her to move forward in her own life.
While this one didn’t have the “whimsy” for me, of last year’s “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island”… https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... -
It is a humorous adventure full of FUN, and it is AVAILABLE NOW!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up!
A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to read her amazing review for additional thoughts!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Some have taken road trips to attain something, while others have taken one because they needed an escape!
A few have been amateur detectives or retired assassins…and now, we have Mrs. Wilt-who just might be the “never caught” renowned jewel thief of the famous Kinsey diamond.
Ever since 21 year old, Tanner Quimby got injured and lost her Soccer scholarship, she has been in a rut. She sits around in sweat pants, playing “Horizon Zero Dawn” for hours, because now that Soccer is off the table-she isn’t sure what to do with her life.
Louise Wilt, needs a caretaker of sorts. Mostly, she needs a driver, because since falling, she is unable to operate a motor vehicle on her own. Tanner agrees to take the “job” hoping to make some money so she can return for her senior year at Northwestern.
But when Tanner sees a “breaking news” story about one of the greatest unsolved jewel heists in American History, she cannot help but notice that the age progressed “suspect” looks alarmingly like “Mrs. Wilt”.
So when Tanner is woken up by the sound of sirens, and Mrs. Wilt appears in her room with a packed suitcase at 1 AM insisting that they leave town immediately-she finds herself becoming the “getaway driver” for an 84 year old woman “on the lam”, while Mrs. Wilt’s daughter has to report both women as MISSING.
Yes, Tanner and Louise are on a “Thelma and Louise” road trip to California, inspired in part by the author’s own grandmother, a fierce woman who never missed her 5 PM cocktail and “didn’t suffer fools”!
Mrs. Wilt is always ONE STEP ahead of everyone, including the FBI, and Tanner just may learn something along the way that helps her to move forward in her own life.
While this one didn’t have the “whimsy” for me, of last year’s “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island”… https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... -
It is a humorous adventure full of FUN, and it is AVAILABLE NOW!
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up!
A buddy read with DeAnn! Be sure to read her amazing review for additional thoughts!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
February 9, 2023
Sometimes, I just need something light and humorous. If one of the main characters is older, all the better. This one fits the bill. Louise is 84, recovering from a broken hip, when her children convince her to get a live-in caretaker. Tanner is not the typical caregiver. She’s 21, also recovering from a physical injury and angry that her parents have told her to find somewhere else to live. She only wants to spend her days playing video games. What Tanner doesn’t know is that Louise has a past. And that past is catching up with her. Soon, they’ve embarked on a road trip. But not one Louise has told her three children about, so police and then the FBI get involved.
It’s a character rich story and I came to care about both women. They are angry, private women on the opposite end of the age spectrum, so there are numerous misunderstandings. The story volleys between both of their POVs. Louise reminds me of my mother - God forbid anything come between her and a hair appointment. As time goes on, they start to find more in common. The writing is descriptive without being overly flowery. It’s easy to see each scene play out.
Favorite line (of many):
“Angry women don’t bother me. It’s the ones who aren’t furious that I worry about.”
“What?” Tanner asked, confused. “Why?”
“Means they aren’t paying attention.”
The interludes with the children interacting with the police/FBI are wonderful. The humor ranges from dry and acerbic to laugh out loud funny. The ending was flat out perfect. I didn’t see that coming! I can only hope this gets picked up for either a movie or a mini-series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.
It’s a character rich story and I came to care about both women. They are angry, private women on the opposite end of the age spectrum, so there are numerous misunderstandings. The story volleys between both of their POVs. Louise reminds me of my mother - God forbid anything come between her and a hair appointment. As time goes on, they start to find more in common. The writing is descriptive without being overly flowery. It’s easy to see each scene play out.
Favorite line (of many):
“Angry women don’t bother me. It’s the ones who aren’t furious that I worry about.”
“What?” Tanner asked, confused. “Why?”
“Means they aren’t paying attention.”
The interludes with the children interacting with the police/FBI are wonderful. The humor ranges from dry and acerbic to laugh out loud funny. The ending was flat out perfect. I didn’t see that coming! I can only hope this gets picked up for either a movie or a mini-series.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.
May 10, 2023
3.75⭐️
“Nothing in life goes according to plan. Nothing. And the sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be.”
Eighty-four-year-old Louise Wilt has a ton of secrets she has kept from her family for decades. A “life-changing” letter from an old friend, has Louise making plans to take a trip, unbeknownst to the rest of her family. When twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby took a job as Louise’s live–in caregiver she never thought her job would entail anything beyond driving Louise around and making sure she was safe and in good health. Tanner has had her own share of disappointments and has a lot to figure out about her future. After her college education was halted due to an accident, she was forced to move back home and was living with her parents until recently. Moving out of her home (though not voluntarily) and taking the live-in position with Louise was a means of raising money to go back to school. Never had she imagined herself on a cross-country road trip with the gun-toting, sharp-witted Louise whose life, memories and wisdom will motivate Tanner to take stock of her own life and priorities.
This is my second Colleen Oakley novel and I will admit I wasn't a fan of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island . Full of humor and heart, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley is an entertaining read. Both Tanner and Louie were interesting characters and I loved their interaction and how they eventually become friends. It was fun following them through their road trip adventure (I really loved their banter), meeting the people they encounter and the situations they get themselves into and of course, getting to the truth of Louise’s past. I liked how the author chose to end the story and I thought Tanner’s trajectory was well–written. Stories such as these are almost always predictable but what matters is the journey to the end and I’m pleased to say that I really enjoyed this story of intergenerational friendship and was surprised by a few revelations along the way.
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“Nothing in life goes according to plan. Nothing. And the sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be.”
Eighty-four-year-old Louise Wilt has a ton of secrets she has kept from her family for decades. A “life-changing” letter from an old friend, has Louise making plans to take a trip, unbeknownst to the rest of her family. When twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby took a job as Louise’s live–in caregiver she never thought her job would entail anything beyond driving Louise around and making sure she was safe and in good health. Tanner has had her own share of disappointments and has a lot to figure out about her future. After her college education was halted due to an accident, she was forced to move back home and was living with her parents until recently. Moving out of her home (though not voluntarily) and taking the live-in position with Louise was a means of raising money to go back to school. Never had she imagined herself on a cross-country road trip with the gun-toting, sharp-witted Louise whose life, memories and wisdom will motivate Tanner to take stock of her own life and priorities.
This is my second Colleen Oakley novel and I will admit I wasn't a fan of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island . Full of humor and heart, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley is an entertaining read. Both Tanner and Louie were interesting characters and I loved their interaction and how they eventually become friends. It was fun following them through their road trip adventure (I really loved their banter), meeting the people they encounter and the situations they get themselves into and of course, getting to the truth of Louise’s past. I liked how the author chose to end the story and I thought Tanner’s trajectory was well–written. Stories such as these are almost always predictable but what matters is the journey to the end and I’m pleased to say that I really enjoyed this story of intergenerational friendship and was surprised by a few revelations along the way.
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March 23, 2023
***VERY HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
I LOVED THIS BOOK! The characters of Tanner and Louise are so well described that I felt I knew them by the end of the book and I didn’t want to let them go.
Tanner has lived her entire life for the love of soccer. She has been training and playing since she was a youngster. She was good enough to receive a full scholarship to Northwestern and her future was looking very good indeed.
What she couldn’t foresee was an accident that left her leg crushed. Tanner needs to find a job and move out of her parents basement. If she is to return to Northwestern she also will have to come up with about $10,000 in tuition!
84 y/o Louise Wilt has been on her own since her husband passed away a few years previously. She has always been fiercely independent.
When she falls and needs hip surgery – her children insist that she needs live-in help. Louise has pushed against it until a situation presents itself that may be tolerable.
Tanner is a neighbor looking for a job with no real skills and Louise needs someone to drive her to her appointments, run errands, etc as she can no longer drive.
Their relationship starts out with each ignoring each other except for the needed interactions.
After a few weeks Tanner notices some changes. Louise is unsettled, she keeps lots of drawers and cabinets locked and her shed is heavily padlocked. She sees a news article that changes everything she thinks she knows about Louise. WHO IS THIS WOMAN!!
No one is more surprised than Tanner when Louise wakes her one night and tells her that they have to get on the road right away. Her reason, a friend is dying and she needs to get to see George before it’s too late.
WE ARE OFF ON OUR ADVENTURE! Lots to discover here – did Louise have a part of her life that she has kept secret all these years?
The twists in this novel are great fun to discover and kept me turning the pages to the satisfying ending.
Watching the two women, years apart in age, form a bond is uplifting and enjoyable. We can all ask ourselves, is there something we can do to help another person that is struggling? Maybe we have more to offer than we thought!
I can highly recommend this one, it’s a good mystery, a great story of friendship amidst struggle and just a whole lot of fun!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! The characters of Tanner and Louise are so well described that I felt I knew them by the end of the book and I didn’t want to let them go.
Tanner has lived her entire life for the love of soccer. She has been training and playing since she was a youngster. She was good enough to receive a full scholarship to Northwestern and her future was looking very good indeed.
What she couldn’t foresee was an accident that left her leg crushed. Tanner needs to find a job and move out of her parents basement. If she is to return to Northwestern she also will have to come up with about $10,000 in tuition!
84 y/o Louise Wilt has been on her own since her husband passed away a few years previously. She has always been fiercely independent.
When she falls and needs hip surgery – her children insist that she needs live-in help. Louise has pushed against it until a situation presents itself that may be tolerable.
Tanner is a neighbor looking for a job with no real skills and Louise needs someone to drive her to her appointments, run errands, etc as she can no longer drive.
Their relationship starts out with each ignoring each other except for the needed interactions.
After a few weeks Tanner notices some changes. Louise is unsettled, she keeps lots of drawers and cabinets locked and her shed is heavily padlocked. She sees a news article that changes everything she thinks she knows about Louise. WHO IS THIS WOMAN!!
No one is more surprised than Tanner when Louise wakes her one night and tells her that they have to get on the road right away. Her reason, a friend is dying and she needs to get to see George before it’s too late.
WE ARE OFF ON OUR ADVENTURE! Lots to discover here – did Louise have a part of her life that she has kept secret all these years?
The twists in this novel are great fun to discover and kept me turning the pages to the satisfying ending.
Watching the two women, years apart in age, form a bond is uplifting and enjoyable. We can all ask ourselves, is there something we can do to help another person that is struggling? Maybe we have more to offer than we thought!
I can highly recommend this one, it’s a good mystery, a great story of friendship amidst struggle and just a whole lot of fun!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 28, 2023
Sweet tale of friendship.
I really enjoyed my time with Tanner and Louise! Tanner was a junior in college with a scholarship for soccer, but a freak accident left her leg shattered and without soccer, no ability to pay for school. Her recovery and lack of direction has caused her to go into a deep depression, spending time playing video games and taking out her frustration on her parents. Louise is 84 and a widow, recovering from a broken hip. Louise's children hire Tanner as a companion to Louise, to drive her around and perform basic tasks until Louise is recovered. The two don't particularly mesh, but remain in a cordial existence. Until Tanner starts hearing some rumors about Louise's past, notices many locks, and sees a news report about a long ago robbery committed by a woman who looks a lot like Louise. Then Louise wakes Tanner in the night and the two start on a cross country adventure that may or may not include some illegal activity.
Such a fun adventure! I loved how Tanner and Louise helped one another to learn some things about themselves--even Louise realized that she could grow and change, but Tanner realized that in some ways Louise was more progressive than she was. These are two women that appear to have nothing at all in common, but the more time they spend together they realize that they are actually very alike.
I spent a great deal of time smiling, and while this book didn't quite reach the emotional depth of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, I still enjoyed my journey with Tanner and Louise. I highly recommend it as an enjoyable unlikely friendship story--full of whimsy and humor.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed my time with Tanner and Louise! Tanner was a junior in college with a scholarship for soccer, but a freak accident left her leg shattered and without soccer, no ability to pay for school. Her recovery and lack of direction has caused her to go into a deep depression, spending time playing video games and taking out her frustration on her parents. Louise is 84 and a widow, recovering from a broken hip. Louise's children hire Tanner as a companion to Louise, to drive her around and perform basic tasks until Louise is recovered. The two don't particularly mesh, but remain in a cordial existence. Until Tanner starts hearing some rumors about Louise's past, notices many locks, and sees a news report about a long ago robbery committed by a woman who looks a lot like Louise. Then Louise wakes Tanner in the night and the two start on a cross country adventure that may or may not include some illegal activity.
Such a fun adventure! I loved how Tanner and Louise helped one another to learn some things about themselves--even Louise realized that she could grow and change, but Tanner realized that in some ways Louise was more progressive than she was. These are two women that appear to have nothing at all in common, but the more time they spend together they realize that they are actually very alike.
I spent a great deal of time smiling, and while this book didn't quite reach the emotional depth of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, I still enjoyed my journey with Tanner and Louise. I highly recommend it as an enjoyable unlikely friendship story--full of whimsy and humor.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 2, 2024
**Many thanks to Shelf Awareness, Berkley, NetGalley, and Colleen Oakley for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 3.28!!**
Thelma: "I feel really awake. I don't recall ever feeling this awake. You know? Everything looks different now. You feel like that? You feel like you got something to live for now?" (Thelma & Louise)
This crazy caper brings together two of the unlikeliest friends you've ever imagined...and the secret that binds them would make the aforementioned Thelma and Louise BEAM with pride!
Octogenarian Louise is used to living life by her own rules. She lives alone and does just fine at that...until a slight trip gives her a broken hip, and her persnickety daughter to INSIST that Louise needs a full-time caretaker. Louise is miffed to say the least, but is helpless to stop her headstrong offspring once she sets her mind to something...and Louise braces herself for her new house guest to move in.
Enter Tanner, a 21 year old adrift on the sea of uncertainty. After a similarly tragic accident cut her soccer playing career at college short and a falling out with her best friend at school makes her almost glad to be gone, she can't find anything to hold her interest....other than her video game, that is. So when the opportunity to become Louise's caregiver pops up, she's desperate enough for the cash to put her hesitations about caring for an old lady aside and take the plunge.
However, a LOT can happen in 84 years. And when Tanner starts noticing some strange things....and potentially DANGEROUS things about Louise, she starts to wonder if there's more to this elderly lady than crossword puzzles and the daily 'Cocktail Hour' she hosts in her living room. A news story about a jewel thief who was never apprehended catches her ear...and the artist's rendering of the 'aged up' thief bears a STRIKING resemblance to Louise herself. And when Louise determines she needs to hit the road posthaste, does Tanner really have the courage to follow Louise ANYWHERE and do just about ANYTHING...with no questions asked?
A story this crazy and wild would normally stray into the sort of goofy yet charming cozy mystery territory I so often avoid. Unless I'm reading a satirical book or something resembling fantasy, I need a certain amount of realism in my reads to keep me invested. What Oakley does so brilliantly in Tanner & Louise, however, was to present such LOVABLE and realistic characters, that no matter what their hijinks, NONE were too out there to be ridiculously FUN!
Tanner could have easily been written as a younger character, presented as a sullen and pouty teen, bored with the world at large...but Oakley gave her so much more depth and honestly, a bit of pain to work through that was really refreshing and provided a perfect balance to some of the silliness in the book. At the age of 21, she both thinks she knows everything and also realizes she ABSOLUTELY doesn't. Regardless, she isn't afraid to engage in verbal battles with Louise OR to try to get HER to broaden her horizons too.
As the perfect counterbalance, Louise is both sassy and sage, wise and witty, but also has a bit of buried pain of her own. The two go from begrudging companions to confidantes, and the transformation is the beauty of this journey. The mystery itself is fun and twisty (and somewhat unpredictable!) but at the end of the day, none of it would matter without the moments of connection between these two souls and the realization that age CAN be just a number.
Best friends are often referred to (usually in jest) as 'partners in crime.' But in the case of this duo?
Well...you'll just have to read it to find out! 😉
4 stars
Now available in paperback!
Thelma: "I feel really awake. I don't recall ever feeling this awake. You know? Everything looks different now. You feel like that? You feel like you got something to live for now?" (Thelma & Louise)
This crazy caper brings together two of the unlikeliest friends you've ever imagined...and the secret that binds them would make the aforementioned Thelma and Louise BEAM with pride!
Octogenarian Louise is used to living life by her own rules. She lives alone and does just fine at that...until a slight trip gives her a broken hip, and her persnickety daughter to INSIST that Louise needs a full-time caretaker. Louise is miffed to say the least, but is helpless to stop her headstrong offspring once she sets her mind to something...and Louise braces herself for her new house guest to move in.
Enter Tanner, a 21 year old adrift on the sea of uncertainty. After a similarly tragic accident cut her soccer playing career at college short and a falling out with her best friend at school makes her almost glad to be gone, she can't find anything to hold her interest....other than her video game, that is. So when the opportunity to become Louise's caregiver pops up, she's desperate enough for the cash to put her hesitations about caring for an old lady aside and take the plunge.
However, a LOT can happen in 84 years. And when Tanner starts noticing some strange things....and potentially DANGEROUS things about Louise, she starts to wonder if there's more to this elderly lady than crossword puzzles and the daily 'Cocktail Hour' she hosts in her living room. A news story about a jewel thief who was never apprehended catches her ear...and the artist's rendering of the 'aged up' thief bears a STRIKING resemblance to Louise herself. And when Louise determines she needs to hit the road posthaste, does Tanner really have the courage to follow Louise ANYWHERE and do just about ANYTHING...with no questions asked?
A story this crazy and wild would normally stray into the sort of goofy yet charming cozy mystery territory I so often avoid. Unless I'm reading a satirical book or something resembling fantasy, I need a certain amount of realism in my reads to keep me invested. What Oakley does so brilliantly in Tanner & Louise, however, was to present such LOVABLE and realistic characters, that no matter what their hijinks, NONE were too out there to be ridiculously FUN!
Tanner could have easily been written as a younger character, presented as a sullen and pouty teen, bored with the world at large...but Oakley gave her so much more depth and honestly, a bit of pain to work through that was really refreshing and provided a perfect balance to some of the silliness in the book. At the age of 21, she both thinks she knows everything and also realizes she ABSOLUTELY doesn't. Regardless, she isn't afraid to engage in verbal battles with Louise OR to try to get HER to broaden her horizons too.
As the perfect counterbalance, Louise is both sassy and sage, wise and witty, but also has a bit of buried pain of her own. The two go from begrudging companions to confidantes, and the transformation is the beauty of this journey. The mystery itself is fun and twisty (and somewhat unpredictable!) but at the end of the day, none of it would matter without the moments of connection between these two souls and the realization that age CAN be just a number.
Best friends are often referred to (usually in jest) as 'partners in crime.' But in the case of this duo?
Well...you'll just have to read it to find out! 😉
4 stars
Now available in paperback!
November 30, 2024
This is a cute story about down-on-her-luck former college student, Tanner, and a golden age grandmother, Louise Wilt.
After Louise suffers a serious fall, her children beg her to accept help in the form of a live-in companion. Tanner, who has nothing better to do, reluctantly agrees.
This is a fun book with many laugh-out loud moments. However, the character Vee should have been dropped from the story, and the pacing, especially of the mystery, is uneven.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Hardcover Text – $14.99 from Amazon
Audiobook – Free through Libby
Connect With Me!
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After Louise suffers a serious fall, her children beg her to accept help in the form of a live-in companion. Tanner, who has nothing better to do, reluctantly agrees.
This is a fun book with many laugh-out loud moments. However, the character Vee should have been dropped from the story, and the pacing, especially of the mystery, is uneven.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Hardcover Text – $14.99 from Amazon
Audiobook – Free through Libby
Connect With Me!
Blog Threads BookTube Facebook Insta My Bookstore at Pango
July 15, 2023
Just what I need! A heartwarming story and an amusing adventure with characters that will grow on you! 🥰
April 8, 2023
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley is a Wonderful Friendship Fiction Story!
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby, recovering from an off-the-field injury and still reeling from the loss of her soccer scholarship, is being forced out of her parents' house. She needs a job and a place to live fast, and the live-in caretaker position she hears about will have to do.
The client is eighty-four-year-old Louise Wilt, a widow who's recovering from a broken hip. Her kids decided she needs live-in help but she's not happy about it or welcoming to Tanner. Louise gets around her house just fine, she's sharp as a tack, loves her evening cocktail(s) and looks to Tanner only as her driver.
Soon Tanner begins to notice a few strange things about Louise, concerning things, perhaps even dangerous things. When Louise comes into Tanner's room carrying a suitcase in the wee hours of the morning with news of an immediate road trip, she can't just let Louise leave on her own, can she? She's her driver, after all...
I love this feisty octogenarian and her twenty-something companion-accomplice as the two main characters in this fun and fast paced story. Tanner and Louise couldn't possibly be any further apart in similarities than their huge age difference, yet listening to their banter the longer they're on the road together you begin to realize there's something very special happening here.
Traveling with Tanner and Louise on their road trip is entertaining but there's so much more to this story that's best discovered as you read along and I suggest going in without knowing too much beforehand.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is full of great characters, twists here and there, and a bit of a tearjerker in the final chapter. Should it be taken seriously? Perhaps not, but there are great topics and who doesn't love a feisty octogenarian, right?
I love Colleen Oakley's book The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is right there with it. I highly recommend with 4 Solid Stars!
Thank you to Shelf Awareness, Berkley, and Colleen Oakley for an ARC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby, recovering from an off-the-field injury and still reeling from the loss of her soccer scholarship, is being forced out of her parents' house. She needs a job and a place to live fast, and the live-in caretaker position she hears about will have to do.
The client is eighty-four-year-old Louise Wilt, a widow who's recovering from a broken hip. Her kids decided she needs live-in help but she's not happy about it or welcoming to Tanner. Louise gets around her house just fine, she's sharp as a tack, loves her evening cocktail(s) and looks to Tanner only as her driver.
Soon Tanner begins to notice a few strange things about Louise, concerning things, perhaps even dangerous things. When Louise comes into Tanner's room carrying a suitcase in the wee hours of the morning with news of an immediate road trip, she can't just let Louise leave on her own, can she? She's her driver, after all...
I love this feisty octogenarian and her twenty-something companion-accomplice as the two main characters in this fun and fast paced story. Tanner and Louise couldn't possibly be any further apart in similarities than their huge age difference, yet listening to their banter the longer they're on the road together you begin to realize there's something very special happening here.
Traveling with Tanner and Louise on their road trip is entertaining but there's so much more to this story that's best discovered as you read along and I suggest going in without knowing too much beforehand.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is full of great characters, twists here and there, and a bit of a tearjerker in the final chapter. Should it be taken seriously? Perhaps not, but there are great topics and who doesn't love a feisty octogenarian, right?
I love Colleen Oakley's book The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is right there with it. I highly recommend with 4 Solid Stars!
Thank you to Shelf Awareness, Berkley, and Colleen Oakley for an ARC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
August 26, 2024
3/5 ⭐️ This was pretty heartwarming and funny but it was kind of boring at times too. Also, Tanner annoyed me a bit with her childishness and little random tantrums. There was just really nothing special about this book to me.
June 27, 2023
A lighthearted, charming story of two very different people who do not like each other and believe they have nothing in common only to find out how alike they are.
Louise is an 84-year-old widow recovering from a broken hip. Her children want her to have some live in help, which she resists for as long as possible. Tanner is a 21-year-old college soccer star who has lost her scholarship after a leg injury and needs to get out of her house. Reluctantly, the two agree to live together, each on their own terms. Suddenly, things take a turn and the next thing you know, the two are on a road trip, they may be on the run from the police and Louise may be a jewel thief. Louise and Tanner must learn to work together and as they do learn about and from each other.
Excellent character development, good pacing and a storyline that keeps you engaged. This is a fast, fun and enjoyable read.- Jennifer C.
Louise is an 84-year-old widow recovering from a broken hip. Her children want her to have some live in help, which she resists for as long as possible. Tanner is a 21-year-old college soccer star who has lost her scholarship after a leg injury and needs to get out of her house. Reluctantly, the two agree to live together, each on their own terms. Suddenly, things take a turn and the next thing you know, the two are on a road trip, they may be on the run from the police and Louise may be a jewel thief. Louise and Tanner must learn to work together and as they do learn about and from each other.
Excellent character development, good pacing and a storyline that keeps you engaged. This is a fast, fun and enjoyable read.- Jennifer C.
March 15, 2023
Colleen Oakley writes breathtakingly funny, absolutely original novels and The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is no exception. On the surface a caper story, this novel packs a subtle, true message about inter-generational friendships, family life and the weight of what it means to be a woman. I've read it twice now and am still finding gems like this from octagenarian Louise: "Sometimes it just feels like we spend so much time trying to teach the house not to catch fire, instead of teaching the arsonist not to light it."
January 14, 2023
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
By Colleen Oakley
This is not my typical go-to type of book but I loved it! Tanner loves soccer and would be getting a scholarship due to her soccer skills until she fell off a balcony. After surgery her leg would never be soccer worthy. She is angry, bitter, and takes it out on everyone. Her mom had enough and said to get out!
Louise fell and now nursing her repaired hip from a fall. She's in her eighties but normally takes care of herself but her daughter demanded that she have a person stay with her. That person could drive her places, be there in case she falls again.
It's a rocky start and it's funny how the generations differ but somehow the same!
Tanner gets suspicious of several things. One is a composite drawing of a jewel thief aged to what they might look like now. Tanner thinks it looks like Louise. Then Louise comes in her room in the middle of the night and has her pack, they leave to go when sirens are coming down their street.
The adventure begins! It is one wild ride too! The people, places, and situations they get into! Oh my! Louise has a dry wit that had me giggling. Everyone is after them! Great fun! Love the ending!
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this awesome book!
By Colleen Oakley
This is not my typical go-to type of book but I loved it! Tanner loves soccer and would be getting a scholarship due to her soccer skills until she fell off a balcony. After surgery her leg would never be soccer worthy. She is angry, bitter, and takes it out on everyone. Her mom had enough and said to get out!
Louise fell and now nursing her repaired hip from a fall. She's in her eighties but normally takes care of herself but her daughter demanded that she have a person stay with her. That person could drive her places, be there in case she falls again.
It's a rocky start and it's funny how the generations differ but somehow the same!
Tanner gets suspicious of several things. One is a composite drawing of a jewel thief aged to what they might look like now. Tanner thinks it looks like Louise. Then Louise comes in her room in the middle of the night and has her pack, they leave to go when sirens are coming down their street.
The adventure begins! It is one wild ride too! The people, places, and situations they get into! Oh my! Louise has a dry wit that had me giggling. Everyone is after them! Great fun! Love the ending!
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this awesome book!
April 30, 2023
4.5 stars rounded down - Really, really enjoyed this road trip with Tanner, a traumatized, former collegiate athlete, now care-giver and Louise, an elderly woman in her care with a secret past as they’re on the run across the country in a vintage Jaguar. Nothing is ever quite as it seems in this funny & heart-warming jaunt.
April 7, 2023
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley is a contemporary story that has a bit of mystery, a bit of romance and a whole lot of humor. The story in The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters.
After suffering an accident twenty one year old Tanner Quimby finds her life on hold as she recovers in her parents home. Tanner’s parents are trying to overlook the constant video games as Tanner wallows after her accident and just want her to get out and get a job. That’s where Tanner meets Louise Wilt.
Louise has suffered her own accident and being in her eighties her children are concerned about her being alone in her home. In an effort to appease her children Louise agrees to higher Tanner to help out. Shortly after Tanner’s arrival though Louise hears from an old friend and the pair end up on a road trip neither will ever forget.
Boy was The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley such a fun story that had me laughing all the way! I picked this one up thinking I couldn’t go wrong with a road trip as I love a little virtual travel in my reading but I immediately fell in love with the story and characters too. Loved the growth of Tanner and the mystery of Louise with their adventure certainly keeping the pages turning. Definitely one I’d recommend!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
After suffering an accident twenty one year old Tanner Quimby finds her life on hold as she recovers in her parents home. Tanner’s parents are trying to overlook the constant video games as Tanner wallows after her accident and just want her to get out and get a job. That’s where Tanner meets Louise Wilt.
Louise has suffered her own accident and being in her eighties her children are concerned about her being alone in her home. In an effort to appease her children Louise agrees to higher Tanner to help out. Shortly after Tanner’s arrival though Louise hears from an old friend and the pair end up on a road trip neither will ever forget.
Boy was The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley such a fun story that had me laughing all the way! I picked this one up thinking I couldn’t go wrong with a road trip as I love a little virtual travel in my reading but I immediately fell in love with the story and characters too. Loved the growth of Tanner and the mystery of Louise with their adventure certainly keeping the pages turning. Definitely one I’d recommend!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 16, 2023
4.5⭐️. After a series of heartbreaking reads, this was the feel good book I didn’t know I needed.
The characters are rich and vivacious, especially Ms. Louise Wilt, who Tanner begins to suspect may be a renowned jewel thief. As the two set about on an adventure that was both heartwarming and bittersweet, I loved the sense of found family these two found and the ways in which they helped the other to grow.
I listened to this one on audio and thought the narrator, Hillary Huber, did a fantastic job brining this book to life. I highly recommend doing an immersive read of this book, utilizing both the audio and physical or ebook for the full, movie-like experience.
Read if you like:
•elderly mc’s
•road trip adventures
•found family
•mysteries
Thank you {partners} Colleen Oakley, Berkley Publishing, and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
The characters are rich and vivacious, especially Ms. Louise Wilt, who Tanner begins to suspect may be a renowned jewel thief. As the two set about on an adventure that was both heartwarming and bittersweet, I loved the sense of found family these two found and the ways in which they helped the other to grow.
I listened to this one on audio and thought the narrator, Hillary Huber, did a fantastic job brining this book to life. I highly recommend doing an immersive read of this book, utilizing both the audio and physical or ebook for the full, movie-like experience.
Read if you like:
•elderly mc’s
•road trip adventures
•found family
•mysteries
Thank you {partners} Colleen Oakley, Berkley Publishing, and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
August 17, 2025
“In life, there were two kinds of friends: friends who would wish you well on your journey to battle, and friends who would jump in the trenches with you.”
Lately, my local library has been offering a lot more books via download, as opposed to print book form. I prefer print books. I like to hold them, feel them, smell them, turn pages, put them aside and then come back to them, where I have daintily placed my bookmark. There is something to be said about the experience of reading a book in this way. I recognize that reading a book electronically can be easier, especially when travelling. But if a book wants to get my attention, let it be one that I can hold in my hands.
Which brings me to this one. So, when I saw another Goodreads friend review of it, it reminded me to see if my local library might have a print version. And, when I discovered that there was at least this large print copy, I decided to go with it. Now, reading books in large print isn’t exactly my favorite way of reading books, either. They have a tendency to be bulky and heavy. And, even if the print font is ginormous, it still can be a bit annoying. But I wanted to read this book. And, that was what was important to me. So, I put the feelings of annoyance aside.
To be honest, it was difficult to get in to this story. At first. It seemed to have stereotypical characters that in some ways weren’t that likable. Would I be able to change my opinion the further along I read?
Premise: Think Thelma and Louise, only with an 84-year-old woman and a 20-something college drop-out. Louise is the 84-year-old woman, and Tanner is the 20-something who is in need of a room to live.
“She was so young. She had no idea how long life was. People always said life was short, but it wasn’t. Not really. You could cram so many different lives into one. Be so many different people.”
And, that is the beginning of these 2 unlikely individuals ending up together. Louise has secrets, and Tanner as her live-in caretaker decides to whisk her away on a cross-country road trip in hopes of outrunning the law. What are those secrets that Louise has, that would create this scenario?
“And even in the grips of her waning shock and rising fear, she couldn’t help but recognize the amusing irony: that now, when she could barely walk—she was going to have to run.”
Eventually the 2 grow closer on their adventure. But do we as readers?
With some hilarious moments, the story also touches on elder care, a need for independence for the aged; and, the dynamics between adult children and their parents. There is also Parkinson’s Disease. Something my mother was diagnosed with along with Lewy Body Dementia. Both, not easy dis-eases to watch inhabit someone you love.
The story has it laugh-out-loud moments, but it also has its poignancy, too. So, for this reader, I am glad I stuck with it.
Lately, my local library has been offering a lot more books via download, as opposed to print book form. I prefer print books. I like to hold them, feel them, smell them, turn pages, put them aside and then come back to them, where I have daintily placed my bookmark. There is something to be said about the experience of reading a book in this way. I recognize that reading a book electronically can be easier, especially when travelling. But if a book wants to get my attention, let it be one that I can hold in my hands.
Which brings me to this one. So, when I saw another Goodreads friend review of it, it reminded me to see if my local library might have a print version. And, when I discovered that there was at least this large print copy, I decided to go with it. Now, reading books in large print isn’t exactly my favorite way of reading books, either. They have a tendency to be bulky and heavy. And, even if the print font is ginormous, it still can be a bit annoying. But I wanted to read this book. And, that was what was important to me. So, I put the feelings of annoyance aside.
To be honest, it was difficult to get in to this story. At first. It seemed to have stereotypical characters that in some ways weren’t that likable. Would I be able to change my opinion the further along I read?
Premise: Think Thelma and Louise, only with an 84-year-old woman and a 20-something college drop-out. Louise is the 84-year-old woman, and Tanner is the 20-something who is in need of a room to live.
“She was so young. She had no idea how long life was. People always said life was short, but it wasn’t. Not really. You could cram so many different lives into one. Be so many different people.”
And, that is the beginning of these 2 unlikely individuals ending up together. Louise has secrets, and Tanner as her live-in caretaker decides to whisk her away on a cross-country road trip in hopes of outrunning the law. What are those secrets that Louise has, that would create this scenario?
“And even in the grips of her waning shock and rising fear, she couldn’t help but recognize the amusing irony: that now, when she could barely walk—she was going to have to run.”
Eventually the 2 grow closer on their adventure. But do we as readers?
With some hilarious moments, the story also touches on elder care, a need for independence for the aged; and, the dynamics between adult children and their parents. There is also Parkinson’s Disease. Something my mother was diagnosed with along with Lewy Body Dementia. Both, not easy dis-eases to watch inhabit someone you love.
The story has it laugh-out-loud moments, but it also has its poignancy, too. So, for this reader, I am glad I stuck with it.
January 30, 2025
An Unlikely Friendship on the Run
What do you get when you throw together an 84-year-old woman with a bad hip and a 21-year-old with a bad limp? You get an unexpected, utterly delightful thrilling road trip that blossoms into a heartwarming friendship both women desperately need.
Louise isn’t your average cranky older lady—she is not to be underestimated. She has secrets and they just might be catching up to her. Tanner is convinced her best days are long gone. A dream-ending injury has left her drifting, aimless, and now stuck as Louise’s live-in driver. But when Louise suddenly insists they must leave town immediately, Tanner finds herself tangled up in something bigger than she signed up for.
A Mystery Wrapped in Wit and Wisdom
Sure, this has that unlikely friends trope (which I’m a sucker for), but it’s also a crime story that had me asking many questions as to how Louise is involved, building plenty of suspense that kept me clicking the pages.
The story isn’t just a fun, quirky ride. Oakley weaves themes of aging, friendship, abusive relationships, morality, and what it means to be a woman—both in the 1960s and ’70s and today.
The Big Reveal: A Perfect Blend of Humor, Heart, and Suspense
When Louise’s past was revealed, I was pleasantly surprised. Oakley deserves credit for crafting an unpredictable and refreshing twist that stands out in the genre.
Oakley has managed to create a suspenseful yet comedic novel—one that had me on the edge of my seat while laughing out loud.
The witty dialogue? Spot on. Not over-the-top to the point of being grating, but just enough to make you laugh out loud.
This book keeps you guessing, laughing, and rooting for two women who are more alike than first realized.
So grab a copy, buckle up, and join the ride!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I also borrowed the audiobook from the library and highly recommend listening to it as well.
What do you get when you throw together an 84-year-old woman with a bad hip and a 21-year-old with a bad limp? You get an unexpected, utterly delightful thrilling road trip that blossoms into a heartwarming friendship both women desperately need.
Louise isn’t your average cranky older lady—she is not to be underestimated. She has secrets and they just might be catching up to her. Tanner is convinced her best days are long gone. A dream-ending injury has left her drifting, aimless, and now stuck as Louise’s live-in driver. But when Louise suddenly insists they must leave town immediately, Tanner finds herself tangled up in something bigger than she signed up for.
A Mystery Wrapped in Wit and Wisdom
Sure, this has that unlikely friends trope (which I’m a sucker for), but it’s also a crime story that had me asking many questions as to how Louise is involved, building plenty of suspense that kept me clicking the pages.
The story isn’t just a fun, quirky ride. Oakley weaves themes of aging, friendship, abusive relationships, morality, and what it means to be a woman—both in the 1960s and ’70s and today.
The Big Reveal: A Perfect Blend of Humor, Heart, and Suspense
When Louise’s past was revealed, I was pleasantly surprised. Oakley deserves credit for crafting an unpredictable and refreshing twist that stands out in the genre.
Oakley has managed to create a suspenseful yet comedic novel—one that had me on the edge of my seat while laughing out loud.
The witty dialogue? Spot on. Not over-the-top to the point of being grating, but just enough to make you laugh out loud.
This book keeps you guessing, laughing, and rooting for two women who are more alike than first realized.
So grab a copy, buckle up, and join the ride!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I also borrowed the audiobook from the library and highly recommend listening to it as well.
March 28, 2023
4 unlikely pair stars
Take an entirely capable 80+-year-old woman (until she falls) and a 21-year-old young woman, forced together to help each other out. I think this is an apt title for this book as I always wondered what the real truth was for these characters!
Louise needs someone to drive her to appointments while she recovers from her injury and Tanner needs a place to live after too many outbursts with her parents and recovering from her own injury.
It was very interesting to get the perspectives of these characters from their own points of view.
Louise can’t understand how Tanner can dress so casually and play hours of video games. Tanner can’t understand how Louise can savor her happy hour drink and why are there so many locked drawers in the house. By getting both viewpoints, I learned to really know them and root for them.
The book takes a sudden turn when Louise wakes up Tanner in the middle of the night saying that they must leave town immediately. It takes a bit of convincing, but Tanner would really like to get back to college and finish her degree and Louise is willing to pay her.
The two of them embark on a madcap drive across the country with Louise not giving Tanner much insight into what she is doing. Just who is Louise and why is she fleeing? And why is Tanner agreeing to help her?
There was a surprise twist at the end and one of my favorite lines comes from August and the word homophone. I love a smart character who knows vocabulary!
This made for a good buddy read with Jayme, be sure to check out her review as well.
My thanks to BookBrowse and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this one. Now available!
Take an entirely capable 80+-year-old woman (until she falls) and a 21-year-old young woman, forced together to help each other out. I think this is an apt title for this book as I always wondered what the real truth was for these characters!
Louise needs someone to drive her to appointments while she recovers from her injury and Tanner needs a place to live after too many outbursts with her parents and recovering from her own injury.
It was very interesting to get the perspectives of these characters from their own points of view.
Louise can’t understand how Tanner can dress so casually and play hours of video games. Tanner can’t understand how Louise can savor her happy hour drink and why are there so many locked drawers in the house. By getting both viewpoints, I learned to really know them and root for them.
The book takes a sudden turn when Louise wakes up Tanner in the middle of the night saying that they must leave town immediately. It takes a bit of convincing, but Tanner would really like to get back to college and finish her degree and Louise is willing to pay her.
The two of them embark on a madcap drive across the country with Louise not giving Tanner much insight into what she is doing. Just who is Louise and why is she fleeing? And why is Tanner agreeing to help her?
There was a surprise twist at the end and one of my favorite lines comes from August and the word homophone. I love a smart character who knows vocabulary!
This made for a good buddy read with Jayme, be sure to check out her review as well.
My thanks to BookBrowse and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this one. Now available!
December 29, 2024
Patiko Uvė ir kitos Backman knygos? Nu nė nedvejoję imkit šitą! Visi prieskoniai yra: jautrumas, rimtos temos paslėptos po tamsoku humoru, išskirtiniai charakteriai, nenuspėjamas, bet pamokomas ir labai mielas siužetas.
Kaip įkritau į šią knygą, taip buvo sunku apie ją negalvot, kai skaityt galimybių nebuvo. Ir prisijuokiau, ir ašarą nubraukiau, ir nustebinta buvau. Romane susipina praeities nuotykius maskuojančios senolės kriminalai ir jauno, pasimetusio, nukentėjusio žmogaus keliai. Viena bėga nuo praeities, kita bijo į savąją net akies krašteliu pažvelgt. Viena turi ką slėpt, kita nenori žinot nieko už savo saugaus burbulo ribų. Bet turi daryt dalykus, dėl kurių jas vejasi policija.
Nuostabi knyga. Nuostabiai išversta. Jautriai juokinga ir giliai prasminga. Vienas geriausių it įsimintiniausių šių metų skaitinių.
Kaip įkritau į šią knygą, taip buvo sunku apie ją negalvot, kai skaityt galimybių nebuvo. Ir prisijuokiau, ir ašarą nubraukiau, ir nustebinta buvau. Romane susipina praeities nuotykius maskuojančios senolės kriminalai ir jauno, pasimetusio, nukentėjusio žmogaus keliai. Viena bėga nuo praeities, kita bijo į savąją net akies krašteliu pažvelgt. Viena turi ką slėpt, kita nenori žinot nieko už savo saugaus burbulo ribų. Bet turi daryt dalykus, dėl kurių jas vejasi policija.
Nuostabi knyga. Nuostabiai išversta. Jautriai juokinga ir giliai prasminga. Vienas geriausių it įsimintiniausių šių metų skaitinių.
April 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was so much fun! I loved this story and the unlikely pairing of a sassy octogenarian and a 21-year-old suffering a bit of a quarter life crisis. Sometimes I think books that feature an extremely odd "friendship" have the potential to be too cheesy, but The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise stayed firmly in the fun and quirky category.
I'll be honest and admit that I bumped this up a full star just because I loved Louise so much. She is bold and crotchety and made me miss my Nana. Louise was really the star of the show and I adored reading about an 80-something woman doing her thing and living her life (and flirting with local singles!). She was a total badass and this story was a blast to read.
Sometimes a light and breezy book is just what the doctor ordered. Highly recommend going into this blind and just sitting back and enjoying the ride.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me to be an early reader.
I'll be honest and admit that I bumped this up a full star just because I loved Louise so much. She is bold and crotchety and made me miss my Nana. Louise was really the star of the show and I adored reading about an 80-something woman doing her thing and living her life (and flirting with local singles!). She was a total badass and this story was a blast to read.
Sometimes a light and breezy book is just what the doctor ordered. Highly recommend going into this blind and just sitting back and enjoying the ride.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me to be an early reader.
July 1, 2024
it was boring 😭
vlog: https://youtu.be/nlyOxS-3q3s
vlog: https://youtu.be/nlyOxS-3q3s
April 10, 2023
2.5 It was heartwarming and mildly entertaining, but to me it was just okay. I definitely don’t see what the 4.3 Goodreads current rating is about.
April 4, 2025
3.5 rating, rounded down only because not every book can merit 4 stars. It was a lot of fun.
As I had hoped, this book turned out to be a decent addition to my “Feisty Old Women” bookshelf. Louise, one of the two principal characters, is in her 80s with a bucketful of secrets going back more than forty years. She has developed some infirmities consistent with her age, and her family, especially the annoying eldest daughter Jules, is concerned about her safety if she continues to live alone in her suburban Atlanta home.
Enter Tanner, a 21 year old whose life was recently upturned when she lost her university soccer scholarship. Her response is to become a slacker, in contrast to her previous pattern of being a model student, athlete and daughter. She now needs a place to live, and the gods manage to connect that need with Louise’s need for a housemate.
When events suddenly light a fire in Louise to visit an old friend in California, Tanner reluctantly agrees to act as chauffeur, and their manic road trip begins. There is much confusion along the way, the consequence of Louise’s insistence on sharing her plans on a need-to-know basis, and Tanner’s determination to keep to herself a TV news report that she interpreted as meaning that Louise was wanted for jewel theft.
Oakley does a fine job of sketching in most of the other characters in the book, only occasionally dwelling too long on someone who is only tangential to the plot. And that plot does have a nice forward momentum, with subtle opportunities for the reader to guess where things are headed - but then adding a twist undermining those assumptions.
Although I had set this aside after noticing references to the dreaded “romance”, I picked it up again this week in preparation for a RL book club discussion. There actually isn’t much romance, just some lust, thankfully absent detail. It’s more of a coming of age story for Tanner, and a chickens coming home to roost story for Louise, as well as a platform to present issues about womens’ roles in society. I didn’t feel I wasted my time reading it and can recommend it as light, humorous entertainment.
As I had hoped, this book turned out to be a decent addition to my “Feisty Old Women” bookshelf. Louise, one of the two principal characters, is in her 80s with a bucketful of secrets going back more than forty years. She has developed some infirmities consistent with her age, and her family, especially the annoying eldest daughter Jules, is concerned about her safety if she continues to live alone in her suburban Atlanta home.
Enter Tanner, a 21 year old whose life was recently upturned when she lost her university soccer scholarship. Her response is to become a slacker, in contrast to her previous pattern of being a model student, athlete and daughter. She now needs a place to live, and the gods manage to connect that need with Louise’s need for a housemate.
When events suddenly light a fire in Louise to visit an old friend in California, Tanner reluctantly agrees to act as chauffeur, and their manic road trip begins. There is much confusion along the way, the consequence of Louise’s insistence on sharing her plans on a need-to-know basis, and Tanner’s determination to keep to herself a TV news report that she interpreted as meaning that Louise was wanted for jewel theft.
Oakley does a fine job of sketching in most of the other characters in the book, only occasionally dwelling too long on someone who is only tangential to the plot. And that plot does have a nice forward momentum, with subtle opportunities for the reader to guess where things are headed - but then adding a twist undermining those assumptions.
Although I had set this aside after noticing references to the dreaded “romance”, I picked it up again this week in preparation for a RL book club discussion. There actually isn’t much romance, just some lust, thankfully absent detail. It’s more of a coming of age story for Tanner, and a chickens coming home to roost story for Louise, as well as a platform to present issues about womens’ roles in society. I didn’t feel I wasted my time reading it and can recommend it as light, humorous entertainment.
August 18, 2024
Labai jaukus ir fainas romanas, kurį visą laiką skaitydama galėjau matyti kaip filmą – autorės rašymo stilius itin lengvai leido viską įsivaizduoti, tam tikri dialogai ar scenos gal jau ir buvo kažkur matyti ar girdėti, bet malonumo negadino ir pakvietė į smagią kelionę, kartu su savimi padovanojančia įdomius veikėjus, gražią žinutę ir nekvailą, net jei ir kiek neįtikėtiną istoriją.
Kūrinys lyginamas su Backmano kūryba, ir nors panašumų tikrai matau, mano skoniui pritrūko daugiau humoro, o gal tiesiog Backmaniškas humoras man labiau prie širdies nei šis, kiek labiau nupoliruotas ir švelnesnis. Nepaisant to, kūrinys labai sužavėjo stipriais moteriškais personažais, patiko, kad buvo apsieita be didelių pamokslavimų ar moralizavimų, kad veikėjams buvo leidžiama klysti ir pasitaisyti. Veiksmas čia vietoje nestovi, istorija labai dinamiška ir neleidžianti nuobodžiauti, o tai man pastaruoju metu atrodo retas reikalas, nes vis susiduriu su knygomis, iš kurių mielai išimčiau kokius penkiasdešimt puslapių arba daugiau. Paskutinius romano puslapius skaičiau žaibo greičiu, nes nekantravau sužinoti, kaip viskas išsirutulios ir kokios paslaptys bus atskleistos, ir, tiesą sakant, būčiau norėjosi, kad tos priešistorės būtų buvę daugiau, mat ji man pasirodė įdomiausia ir stipriausia pasakojimo dalis.
Norėjau paskaityti kažką lengvo, bet nekvailo, pamilti veikėjus ir nesipiktinti kokiais nors siužeto nelogiškumais, ir visą tą neabejotinai gavau – laiką praleidau labai smagiai, tikrai sužiūrėčiau pagal šią knygą pastatytą filmą, o ir rekomenduočiau ją tiems, kurie mėgsta šlakelį feminizmo, šlakelį humoro, neprisibijo nuotykių ir kelionių, per kurias gali atrasti ne tik naujas vietas ar žmones, bet ir save.
Kūrinys lyginamas su Backmano kūryba, ir nors panašumų tikrai matau, mano skoniui pritrūko daugiau humoro, o gal tiesiog Backmaniškas humoras man labiau prie širdies nei šis, kiek labiau nupoliruotas ir švelnesnis. Nepaisant to, kūrinys labai sužavėjo stipriais moteriškais personažais, patiko, kad buvo apsieita be didelių pamokslavimų ar moralizavimų, kad veikėjams buvo leidžiama klysti ir pasitaisyti. Veiksmas čia vietoje nestovi, istorija labai dinamiška ir neleidžianti nuobodžiauti, o tai man pastaruoju metu atrodo retas reikalas, nes vis susiduriu su knygomis, iš kurių mielai išimčiau kokius penkiasdešimt puslapių arba daugiau. Paskutinius romano puslapius skaičiau žaibo greičiu, nes nekantravau sužinoti, kaip viskas išsirutulios ir kokios paslaptys bus atskleistos, ir, tiesą sakant, būčiau norėjosi, kad tos priešistorės būtų buvę daugiau, mat ji man pasirodė įdomiausia ir stipriausia pasakojimo dalis.
Norėjau paskaityti kažką lengvo, bet nekvailo, pamilti veikėjus ir nesipiktinti kokiais nors siužeto nelogiškumais, ir visą tą neabejotinai gavau – laiką praleidau labai smagiai, tikrai sužiūrėčiau pagal šią knygą pastatytą filmą, o ir rekomenduočiau ją tiems, kurie mėgsta šlakelį feminizmo, šlakelį humoro, neprisibijo nuotykių ir kelionių, per kurias gali atrasti ne tik naujas vietas ar žmones, bet ir save.
December 3, 2024
In a Nutshell: Some endings make you wish you'd just DNFed the dang thing.
This is an outlier opinion, and I'm not nice to books I don't like. But I do like readers and don't mean anything personal in this review.
Reading Notes:
One thing I loved:
1. Tanner is a charming and loveable girl. Unfortunately, none of these characters feel authentic to me. Everything they say and do is too pat, tiny perfect interlocking bricks comprising the story. Life doesn't look or feel this way though.
Two things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The plot resolves on a dues ex machina in the form of a homophone omg and its like everything that happened didn't actually mean anything because there were never actually any stakes 🙄
2. Far too much information is provided in denouement. It's the only way that homophone resolution would hold up. But it is rarely good form in a standard narrative and is not good form here.
Rating: 💎.5 Jewels
Recommend? Nope
Finished: Jan 2 '24
Format: Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🧑🦳 age gap friendships
🚗 road trips
💇♀️ girl's coming of age
🫄 pregnancy storylines
Thank you to the author Colleen Oakley, publishers Penguin Publishing Group, and NetGalley for a digital copy. All views are mine.
This is an outlier opinion, and I'm not nice to books I don't like. But I do like readers and don't mean anything personal in this review.
Reading Notes:
One thing I loved:
1. Tanner is a charming and loveable girl. Unfortunately, none of these characters feel authentic to me. Everything they say and do is too pat, tiny perfect interlocking bricks comprising the story. Life doesn't look or feel this way though.
Two things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The plot resolves on a dues ex machina in the form of a homophone omg and its like everything that happened didn't actually mean anything because there were never actually any stakes 🙄
2. Far too much information is provided in denouement. It's the only way that homophone resolution would hold up. But it is rarely good form in a standard narrative and is not good form here.
Rating: 💎.5 Jewels
Recommend? Nope
Finished: Jan 2 '24
Format: Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🧑🦳 age gap friendships
🚗 road trips
💇♀️ girl's coming of age
🫄 pregnancy storylines
Thank you to the author Colleen Oakley, publishers Penguin Publishing Group, and NetGalley for a digital copy. All views are mine.
November 18, 2022
3.75 stars
Such a fun story. Character driven, laugh out loud funny, mystery. Put an octogenarian and a 21 year old together on a cross country road trip in an aging Jaguar, add in a decades old crime and a failed soccer career, then put a twist at the end. That sums up to one hilarious novel you just can't put down.
Such a fun story. Character driven, laugh out loud funny, mystery. Put an octogenarian and a 21 year old together on a cross country road trip in an aging Jaguar, add in a decades old crime and a failed soccer career, then put a twist at the end. That sums up to one hilarious novel you just can't put down.
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