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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
3.5⭐️ I loved Evvie Drake Starts Over, so I was very excited for the opportunity to read Linda Holmes newest release. While Flying Solo was a quick, enjoyable read that mixed women's fiction with elements of contemporary romance and mystery, the story itself fell a little bit flat for me. I loved Laurie's connection to her aunt, the funny and witty banter, the second chance romance storyline and the small Maine town setting. However, what didn't work for me was the heavy emphasis on the duck decoy mystery. I think it took away from Laurie's character growth and made me lose focus in the story.
I did a read/listen combo and if you are to pick this one up, get the audiobook because Julia Whealon was great! Thank you Ballantine and PRH audio for a copy of this ARC and ALC.
I did a read/listen combo and if you are to pick this one up, get the audiobook because Julia Whealon was great! Thank you Ballantine and PRH audio for a copy of this ARC and ALC.
3.5 stars - Holmes' follow-up to 'Evvie Drake Starts Over' has the same quaint, picturesque Main setting and similarly quirky characters, but I enjoyed 'Flying Solo' more because of its emphasis on non-traditional romance. Although Nick (a cute librarian) and protagonist Laurie are childhood sweethearts who reconnect, they reconnect when Laurie is old by romance standards (pushing 40), and she is confident in who she is and what she wants out of life. . In addition, we're shown happy, active elderly people who didn't necessarily define themselves by marriage, like Dot and Ginger. Holmes isn't anti-marriage, however her acknowledgment that its not the only valid path and its not for everyone is refreshing. I do wish that the duck plot had more mystery as the plot dragged at times, but would recommend.
Spoiler
The book ends with them trying to makea long-distance relationship work because Laurie is happy with her life in Seattle and doesn't want to compromise herself by settling down in her hometown
Also like a 4.5. A very cute romance. As someone who lives alone and is approaching 40, I could definitely identify. I think I liked Evvie Drake better, but this was also very good.
I know when you read the blurb for this book, you likely ask “why would I read a book with a mystery about a duck decoy?” The reason is because it is a heartwarming story about complicated relationships, that play out surrounding the shenanigans involved with this duck decoy.
Liked it very much; just not quite as much as I loved her first book Evvie Drake Starts Over.
Nice to see a 40-year old couple navigating a new love relationship and even greater knowing the women in the 80-something generation also have love interests. This is about a male librarian in a small town fighting to keep the doors open and supplying valuable services to his community. It is also about a Seattle woman who returns to her childhood town on the Maine coast who is very independent and accomplished. Will she stay or will she go? That's the story in a nutshell.
Found this to be a tad drawn out and Laurie has some rather unrealistic expectations of a relationship. Librarian Nick is super accommodating. This is not a sexy book, but rather one about friendships, love, and navigating life's questions. Good read.
Nice to see a 40-year old couple navigating a new love relationship and even greater knowing the women in the 80-something generation also have love interests. This is about a male librarian in a small town fighting to keep the doors open and supplying valuable services to his community. It is also about a Seattle woman who returns to her childhood town on the Maine coast who is very independent and accomplished. Will she stay or will she go? That's the story in a nutshell.
Found this to be a tad drawn out and Laurie has some rather unrealistic expectations of a relationship. Librarian Nick is super accommodating. This is not a sexy book, but rather one about friendships, love, and navigating life's questions. Good read.
I have a lot of thoughts about this book and only a few of them have to do with the story. So, I guess I'll start there. The story was cozy and interesting enough, heartwarming, satisfying and at times a little syrupy. But, the best part of this book is how the main character and her great aunt are presented.
The main character, Laurie, is independent, curious, determined and smart. She also happens to be a size 18. Her physical attributes are presented factually and without fanfare, because they're the least interesting thing about her. She doesn't struggle to overcome self-doubt. She doesn't obsess about her size as a reason someone might not love her. She just exists. She's not pining for a life she doesn't have. She picked her life. AND sort of spoiler
As a happy, unmarried (but committed) person with a body that works for me, this book was an absolute delight. I hope to have as many adventures and a life as full of love as Great Aunt Dot. And, I hope that when I pass, someone will treat my things with the same respect, love and curiousity of Laurie. Excellent. Will hit for anyone over 30 who is unmarried and childless by choice!
The main character, Laurie, is independent, curious, determined and smart. She also happens to be a size 18. Her physical attributes are presented factually and without fanfare, because they're the least interesting thing about her. She doesn't struggle to overcome self-doubt. She doesn't obsess about her size as a reason someone might not love her. She just exists. She's not pining for a life she doesn't have. She picked her life. AND sort of spoiler
Spoiler
she doesn't change for the guy, they figure it out as two adult humans who have learned how to communicate and love each other but don't need to cohabitate or get married or have kids to find deeper meaning in their lives.As a happy, unmarried (but committed) person with a body that works for me, this book was an absolute delight. I hope to have as many adventures and a life as full of love as Great Aunt Dot. And, I hope that when I pass, someone will treat my things with the same respect, love and curiousity of Laurie. Excellent. Will hit for anyone over 30 who is unmarried and childless by choice!
This was a perfect summer weekend read! I love Linda Holmes’ stories, and her characters are so likable. I had the best time in Maine with Laurie, Nick, June, Dot, and all the other wonderful characters in this gem.
There was even a nod to Evvie Drake, from Linda Holmes’ last book (which I also adored!)
Very sad this one is over - highly recommend!
There was even a nod to Evvie Drake, from Linda Holmes’ last book (which I also adored!)
Very sad this one is over - highly recommend!
I read most of this book sitting on a couch on a drizzly fall day and it was just perfect for it. A little bit of romance, some mystery, friendship. Grab a warm mug of coffee and a blanket and read. :)
In some ways even better than the author's last book. The duck decoy caper is a cute way to advance the romance and the heroine's emotional journey, but at more than one point I felt I didn't care enough about the actual caper since it was kind of silly. I was very interested in the theme of "flying solo", since I have not seen any fictional work that focuses on this type of personality, a single woman approaching 40 that likes to be alone and quiet so much so that it makes her believe she cannot have a lasting romantic relationship. It's kind of a romance novel so she kind of have to end up with somebody, but I still appreciate the author's honest exploration of the kind of single womanhood that is very underrepresented and I think is actually going to resonate with many, me included.
I was a huge fan of Evvie Drake Starts Over, and I really enjoyed this book as well! Both really show a woman going through self discovery.
4/5
Laurie is almost 40 and called off her wedding. These are the things that constantly go through her mind. Her great-aunt Dot has recently passed and has no children of her own to go through her things. Laurie volunteers and returns to her home town and to Dot's house. Laurie had spent a lot of time at Dot's while growing up and feels a connection with her. While going through her possessions Laurie comes across a wooden duck and something about it seems important. When the duck is taken under mysterious circumstances Laurie does everything she can to get it back and uncover the story.
While the description makes the book sound mysterious I would categorize it as women's fiction. There's a slight undertone of romance, but the story really focuses on Laurie coming to terms with herself. She can't see herself getting married, and really likes having her own space. I just loved how a single main character really was the focus. I don't think we see that a lot in books. You really saw the focus being that it was okay to live how Laurie or Dot wanted and it should be more accepted.
Overall, the book was a little slow and I can see how some people didn't love it, but I thought the topic was important and I enjoyed the story.
4/5
Laurie is almost 40 and called off her wedding. These are the things that constantly go through her mind. Her great-aunt Dot has recently passed and has no children of her own to go through her things. Laurie volunteers and returns to her home town and to Dot's house. Laurie had spent a lot of time at Dot's while growing up and feels a connection with her. While going through her possessions Laurie comes across a wooden duck and something about it seems important. When the duck is taken under mysterious circumstances Laurie does everything she can to get it back and uncover the story.
While the description makes the book sound mysterious I would categorize it as women's fiction. There's a slight undertone of romance, but the story really focuses on Laurie coming to terms with herself. She can't see herself getting married, and really likes having her own space. I just loved how a single main character really was the focus. I don't think we see that a lot in books. You really saw the focus being that it was okay to live how Laurie or Dot wanted and it should be more accepted.
Overall, the book was a little slow and I can see how some people didn't love it, but I thought the topic was important and I enjoyed the story.