Kimber: The ‘Ole Curmudgeon (TOC) can’t come to the blog right now. She’s hunting up the nearest plate and fork. So I’m gonna take over for a min, okay?

Now. You know that the OC is like, super-duper opinionated. On Pretty. Much. Everything. Especially books. We don’t apologize for that one bit. In fact, it’s one of Mom’s best features. (I can’t remember the other two at the moment. Can I get back to you on that that?)

Anyway, Mom’s been whaling away on the last few Kristin Hannah novels she read. Cuz they were like, lousy. Lookin’ at you, The Women. Distant Shores. Summer Island. The Four Winds. Barf-o-rama x4.

Like Kitty Litter?

Well. You may be relieved to hear that Mom hasn’t gone entirely sour on Hannah books. In case you’re wondering.  Fact is, the OC has super loved other Hannah books like The Nightingale. The Great Alone. The Winter Garden. It’s just that the last few left a bad taste in her mouth. You know. Kinda like kitty litter.

So when Someone Who Shall Remain Nameless got the Ole Curmudgeon an old Hannah novel for her birthday, the TOC wasn’t exactly turning cartwheels.

But I talked her into cracking the cover. And at least reading the first chapter. After all, Comfort & Joy was a gift. So it’s only polite, right?

And Mom loved it! Hence the plate and fork. Apparently it’s easier to eat crow that way.

I’ll let Mom fill you in (on the book. Not that “eating crow” thing):

The 4-1-1 (aka: How to Eat Crow in 4 Easy Steps)

The main character, Joy Faith Candellaro, flees Bakersfield, CA shortly after her divorce. Betrayed by her sister, Joy knows what she wants. She just can’t find it.

She catches a flight bound for Canada and a town called Hope. And the Comfort Lodge.

Then Joy crash-lands in the wilds of Washington state. Makes her way to an old rundown lodge in a small town. And finds a widower named Daniel and his 6 y.o. son, Bobby. Also a white arrowhead.

All three are struggling with hurts. Loss. Confusion.

There, in a deep and magical woodland, Joy must let go of everything she thinks she knows about the world and embrace the unimaginable. Can she? Is she searching for Hope or a town she never went to? Does what Joy loves even exist?

Surprise!

Mom: Comfort & Joy surprised me. It’s clean. Uplifting. Beautifully written, with splendiferous descriptions of our Ole Stompin’ Grounds in the Pacific Northwest. It includes betrayal, guilt, loss, love, loyalty, family, a touch of magic. And second chances. Again, Comfort & Joy surprised the stuffin’ outta me. In fact, it now ranks as one of my all-time favorite Hannah novels. Right up there with The Nightingale.

Kimber: See? I told you that when a book’s a gift, the least you can do is read a chapter or two, Cupcake.

Mom: Alright already, Kimmi. Now kindly shut up and pass the ketchup, okay?

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What’s the last book you read that really surprised you (good or bad)?