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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Such a heart warming story, well told, slow to start but once it does it grabs you by the heart strings and doesn’t let go. It deals with themes all of us face such as loneliness and loss, but also deals with domestic violence and mental health. A story that stays with you long after you put it down. Thank you to the author for such a thought provoking book
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very slow but very nice. I'm glad I stuck it out because the latter third is particularly touching.
This book looked very interesting, and the cover is gorgeous, so I jumped at the chance to read it on Netgalley. Nancy Jones is a kind, caring woman, living in an old house with its overgrown garden and family of cats. To an outsider she may come across as the epitome of lonely, the stereotypical 'cat lady', but nobody knows her story, the reason why she is alone. Through memories and unexpected meetings with people from her past, Nancy finds herself slowly coming to terms with the grief that destroyed her life, that led such a compassionate, nurturing person to end up alone.
Admittedly I found this book quite slow at first, but it becomes more intriguing half way through. Even so, this is a wonderfully written, thought-provoking and often heartbreaking story that explores loneliness in society, grief, and new beginnings.
Admittedly I found this book quite slow at first, but it becomes more intriguing half way through. Even so, this is a wonderfully written, thought-provoking and often heartbreaking story that explores loneliness in society, grief, and new beginnings.
Nancy is a wonderfully charming character who I loved as soon as I met her. I think she is a prime example of how people can be quick to judge and how nice it would be if everyone took time out of their busy lives to get to know their neighbours/work colleagues better.
The story involves a variety of different topics but mainly grief and bullying. Due to an incident in Nancy’s past, she has become a bit of a recluse keeping herself to herself and exists for the love of her cats which seem to grow in number as she is one of those caring souls who can’t turn away any waif’s or strays.
Alfie is another stand out character in the novel and my heart went out to him. I enjoyed the unlikely friendship between him and Nancy and it was so heartwarming to read.
They Call Me The Cat Lady is a heartwarming read that will pull on your heart strings. It is quite an emotive story of one woman’s life that I think will make an impact on anyone who reads it. Even though there is more than a handful of cats that will certainly appeal to lovers of felines, this story is so much more than that. A story to touch the heart and soul.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story involves a variety of different topics but mainly grief and bullying. Due to an incident in Nancy’s past, she has become a bit of a recluse keeping herself to herself and exists for the love of her cats which seem to grow in number as she is one of those caring souls who can’t turn away any waif’s or strays.
Alfie is another stand out character in the novel and my heart went out to him. I enjoyed the unlikely friendship between him and Nancy and it was so heartwarming to read.
They Call Me The Cat Lady is a heartwarming read that will pull on your heart strings. It is quite an emotive story of one woman’s life that I think will make an impact on anyone who reads it. Even though there is more than a handful of cats that will certainly appeal to lovers of felines, this story is so much more than that. A story to touch the heart and soul.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Put up with what you can’t change and change what you can’t put up with.
I loved this book and everything it had to offer. It is a profound book that gave insight and and meaning to behaviour and social norms that we often don't think about, but should. I think most people can relate to Nancy's character and as we follow with her though her own personal journey. The book touches on the topic of loneliness in a deep yet lighthearted way and is one of the best books I have read in awhile.
Do you know years ago, in the 1800s, women who kept cats were burned alive because everyone thought they were witches?
Amy Miller's characterization of Nancy was beautifully and sympathetically done with a love for her character. The progress of Nancy provided an engaging reading experience. I immediately was drawn in by this fascinating title character. I had to find out what had happened to her as well as what would happen to her. I couldn’t stop reading. This was a witty, well written book with many very endearing characters and qualities. I cheered for Nancy and I also cried for her.
These people, though not a conventional family, felt a little like a family she could call her own.
They Call Me the Cat Lady is an excellent read. It's so well-written - the author definitely keeps you engaged as she slips in pieces of the life Nancy has lead before but also keeps you curious about the whole story. Nancy is quirky and you just know there is some tragic history that has to lead to her peculiar habits and lifestyle. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great story. I ❤️ The Cat Lady!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Amy Miller for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#TheyCallMeTheCatLady #NetGalley
All my reviews can be found on my blog: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/
I loved this book and everything it had to offer. It is a profound book that gave insight and and meaning to behaviour and social norms that we often don't think about, but should. I think most people can relate to Nancy's character and as we follow with her though her own personal journey. The book touches on the topic of loneliness in a deep yet lighthearted way and is one of the best books I have read in awhile.
Do you know years ago, in the 1800s, women who kept cats were burned alive because everyone thought they were witches?
Amy Miller's characterization of Nancy was beautifully and sympathetically done with a love for her character. The progress of Nancy provided an engaging reading experience. I immediately was drawn in by this fascinating title character. I had to find out what had happened to her as well as what would happen to her. I couldn’t stop reading. This was a witty, well written book with many very endearing characters and qualities. I cheered for Nancy and I also cried for her.
These people, though not a conventional family, felt a little like a family she could call her own.
They Call Me the Cat Lady is an excellent read. It's so well-written - the author definitely keeps you engaged as she slips in pieces of the life Nancy has lead before but also keeps you curious about the whole story. Nancy is quirky and you just know there is some tragic history that has to lead to her peculiar habits and lifestyle. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great story. I ❤️ The Cat Lady!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Amy Miller for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#TheyCallMeTheCatLady #NetGalley
All my reviews can be found on my blog: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/
The title and cover pulled me in. This was a case where I picked the book before reading the synopsis. What a great surprise!
This is a story of love, loss, friendship and the ups and downs of life. Thank you NetGalley!
This is a story of love, loss, friendship and the ups and downs of life. Thank you NetGalley!
They Call Me The Cat Lady is such a heartwarming read which I couldn’t put down. Nancy Jones is a closed book, nice enough but quickly forgotten, dismissed as a bit of a strange character. Nancy doesn’t open up to anyone so nobody really knows her so she inadvertently leads quite a lonely life…other than the company of her cats! What we do know about Nancy is that she works in a school and has formed relationships with her co-workers but keeps a distance from them – its clear that she doesn’t want to talk about her past but what isn’t clear is why she keeps this to herself.
One day, someone contacts Nancy following her advert for her cat sitting services – what Nancy doesn’t realise is that visiting that house is going to change her life when she comes across something extremely familiar in the person’s home.
I’ll be honest, during the first few chapters of the book (about 8%), I was questioning whether it was for me with it’s slow gentle pace (I’m used to a murder taking place or a body being found within the first couple of chapters and the pace ramping up) but I stuck with it because Nancy was such a lovely character. I am so glad I did because after this point I was glued to the story, the narrative really took off and I wanted to learn more and more about Nancy, her past and why she was so closed off now. As such, I read the rest of the book in 2 sittings (and it was 2 sittings because I had to feed the family, had it not have been for their unreasonable demands, it would’ve been in 1 read 😊)!
Nancy is such a wonderful character, whilst Nancy keeps many secrets, the author gives the reader the special privilege of being in on the secrets as Miller tells us through Nancy’s flashbacks. Some of these passages were difficult to read (as they should be to be fair) but were so important to the overall story and to really understand Nancy.
Another stand out character is Alfie, the young boy who is being bullied at school and who Nancy takes under her wing to try and make his day a little bit better. Alfie’s garden backs onto Nancy’s garden so they are practically neighbours. Alfie has an old head on young shoulders and helps Nancy in facing her secrets without even realising – their relationship is wonderful, how they ultimately help one another.
I cannot review the book without mentioning the cats, as the title suggests, cats are very present in the story (which I think was one of the main attractions of the book!). I loved the way the author used the cats to show a different side of Nancy, whilst others saw her as a closed book, Nancy could be herself around her cats and discuss her worries with them, even if the conversation is rather one sided. The cats provided the company that Nancy couldn’t bear to let in if it was in human form.
There are lots of themes beautifully covered in this book but what stood out for me the most was that you never really know what goes on in people’s lives so it’s important to take the time to be nice to one another. Never judge a book by its cover….or a lady by her cats 😊
I thoroughly enjoyed this gentle, emotional and heart-warming read from Amy Miller.
One day, someone contacts Nancy following her advert for her cat sitting services – what Nancy doesn’t realise is that visiting that house is going to change her life when she comes across something extremely familiar in the person’s home.
I’ll be honest, during the first few chapters of the book (about 8%), I was questioning whether it was for me with it’s slow gentle pace (I’m used to a murder taking place or a body being found within the first couple of chapters and the pace ramping up) but I stuck with it because Nancy was such a lovely character. I am so glad I did because after this point I was glued to the story, the narrative really took off and I wanted to learn more and more about Nancy, her past and why she was so closed off now. As such, I read the rest of the book in 2 sittings (and it was 2 sittings because I had to feed the family, had it not have been for their unreasonable demands, it would’ve been in 1 read 😊)!
Nancy is such a wonderful character, whilst Nancy keeps many secrets, the author gives the reader the special privilege of being in on the secrets as Miller tells us through Nancy’s flashbacks. Some of these passages were difficult to read (as they should be to be fair) but were so important to the overall story and to really understand Nancy.
Another stand out character is Alfie, the young boy who is being bullied at school and who Nancy takes under her wing to try and make his day a little bit better. Alfie’s garden backs onto Nancy’s garden so they are practically neighbours. Alfie has an old head on young shoulders and helps Nancy in facing her secrets without even realising – their relationship is wonderful, how they ultimately help one another.
I cannot review the book without mentioning the cats, as the title suggests, cats are very present in the story (which I think was one of the main attractions of the book!). I loved the way the author used the cats to show a different side of Nancy, whilst others saw her as a closed book, Nancy could be herself around her cats and discuss her worries with them, even if the conversation is rather one sided. The cats provided the company that Nancy couldn’t bear to let in if it was in human form.
There are lots of themes beautifully covered in this book but what stood out for me the most was that you never really know what goes on in people’s lives so it’s important to take the time to be nice to one another. Never judge a book by its cover….or a lady by her cats 😊
I thoroughly enjoyed this gentle, emotional and heart-warming read from Amy Miller.
This book is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, it made me smile and it moved me to tears.
I loved Nancy, her personality and how she relates to her cats (I'm a cat lover).
The book is engaging, entertaining and well written.
I think I will remember Nancy for a long time.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved Nancy, her personality and how she relates to her cats (I'm a cat lover).
The book is engaging, entertaining and well written.
I think I will remember Nancy for a long time.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Nancy Jones is known as the local cat lady, and it’s not always meant kindly. Though she has a habit of rescuing felines in need of a bit of care, most humans find her distant. But Nancy has secrets and, after a chance encounter with her past while cat sitting, they threaten to come tumbling out … but to fully tell her story, she just might have to let others in.
Much like a hesitant cat, Nancy Jones is irresistible. Troubled by a past marred by hurt and catastrophe, she’s cloistered herself in a home with cats named after loved ones. For her, it sometimes feels good just to say those names out loud— it’s almost as though they’re with her. It’s a heartbreaking sentiment, but it brings her comfort.
And yet she has such a subdued genial way about her. Author Amy Miller delicately paints Nancy as a pained individual whose role is to alleviate the problems of others. It’s no wonder she works at a local school, and her caring manner serves to protect some of the more discomforted students, particularly a bullied boy named Alfie. Nancy serves as the heart of this book, dutifully going out of her way for others.
Yet it’s the moments when Nancy finally has to assess her personal problems that this book soars. Miller carefully pushes Nancy into situations that force her to confront her past. Nancy comes across a picture of her daughter while cat sitting and it causes all the walls she’s built around herself and her past to come crumbling down. It’s uncomfortable, but there’s a pure optimism that runs through the text, softening the tension— through these baby steps, it’s understood Nancy will be happier in the end. Miller and, in turn, the reader are on her side all the way.
Ultimately, Miller has masterfully crafted a beautiful story of personal forgiveness and hope.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
Much like a hesitant cat, Nancy Jones is irresistible. Troubled by a past marred by hurt and catastrophe, she’s cloistered herself in a home with cats named after loved ones. For her, it sometimes feels good just to say those names out loud— it’s almost as though they’re with her. It’s a heartbreaking sentiment, but it brings her comfort.
And yet she has such a subdued genial way about her. Author Amy Miller delicately paints Nancy as a pained individual whose role is to alleviate the problems of others. It’s no wonder she works at a local school, and her caring manner serves to protect some of the more discomforted students, particularly a bullied boy named Alfie. Nancy serves as the heart of this book, dutifully going out of her way for others.
Yet it’s the moments when Nancy finally has to assess her personal problems that this book soars. Miller carefully pushes Nancy into situations that force her to confront her past. Nancy comes across a picture of her daughter while cat sitting and it causes all the walls she’s built around herself and her past to come crumbling down. It’s uncomfortable, but there’s a pure optimism that runs through the text, softening the tension— through these baby steps, it’s understood Nancy will be happier in the end. Miller and, in turn, the reader are on her side all the way.
Ultimately, Miller has masterfully crafted a beautiful story of personal forgiveness and hope.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an engaging and quick read that drew me in, but it did get quite a bit less "light" once the main character's backstory was revealed. I found some of the characterization a bit flat and two-dimensional, which made the flow of the story a bit less easy to follow (when you start wondering why on earth so-and-so is thinking/acting such-and-such).
Overall, the story about the main character's cautious approach to a life that had not been kind to her, and the ending on a positive note - while easily foreseen - was a lovely read.
This was an engaging and quick read that drew me in, but it did get quite a bit less "light" once the main character's backstory was revealed. I found some of the characterization a bit flat and two-dimensional, which made the flow of the story a bit less easy to follow (when you start wondering why on earth so-and-so is thinking/acting such-and-such).
Overall, the story about the main character's cautious approach to a life that had not been kind to her, and the ending on a positive note - while easily foreseen - was a lovely read.