When I first read the description of the book Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda I knew immediately that I needed to read it. I instantly felt a connection with Kelly, the main character in the story. She’s a 39 year old woman with a wonderful husband and two sons that she adores, but while focusing on being the best wife and mother to them, she has lost focus of what she desires most in life, where her passions might lie. With one visit to the dentist office and the kids away at camp for the summer, Kelly finally decides her time is now. She decides to create a list, well really it’s mostly a collection of post-it notes scattered around her home, each one declaring a Thing to Change. The entire list can be found at the end of the book and I plan to create my own similar list and maybe even spread a few sticky notes of my own all around the house as reminders and motivation. Here’s the thing. I’m feeling a lot like Kelly. My boys are older now (12 and 16) and while I feel that they will always need me (I certainly hope so, anyway), I also have a strong desire to fulfill my own dreams and desires. In recent months I’ve started to really put some thought into what I truly love and desire to achieve for myself while bringing home my own paycheck. Maybe it’s because I turn 40 at the end of this year and that just feels like such a milestone birthday or maybe I’m just realizing I’m ready for something more, something incredible for myself while still balancing the needs of my family, where my highest priority will always lie.
From the author’s website:
Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her ordinary middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding but exhausting. Meanwhile, Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.
From page one, Kelly’s witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan—she places Post-it notes all over her house and car—will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.
This book is written with humor and honesty and at times I found myself transformed onto the back porch of Kelly’s home sipping a glass of chilled white wine on a warm summer’s evening while chatting about everything from kids and husbands to personal success. It was a book that I simply did not want to put down, but at the same time I didn’t want to rush through it, either, because I wanted it to last as long as possible. I managed to slow down with the last few chapters, but ultimately read at a rather fast and steady pace. It’s the kind of book I want to pass on to a friend and then wish for her to do the same. It is definitely a story that needs to be shared. There were many times when I found myself pausing between chapters to really analyze and think about my own life and just how much I could relate to Kelly, well mostly. We’re both the same age, have two sons who are nearly the same ages, and possibly most important is that we both have the most loving and supportive husbands ever. Honestly, it’s true. I think I could tell my husband I was going to start my own business selling plastic pink flamingo yard decorations and he’d back me 100%, which would make him ultra supportive and both of us totally crazy.
This was the first book that I’ve read in a long time where I felt like it was truly written with me in mind. It spoke directly to me in so many ways and I’m left feeling inspired to find my passion and what I’m truly meant to be doing with my life, what I’d be really awesome at doing. For a paycheck.
Oh, check out this treat of a trailer for Here, Home, Hope on YouTube. It’s very sweet and will leave you curious and wanting more.
I also must share that I found the author Kaira Rouda to very delightful and engaging when interacting with her on Twitter. She seems as genuine as the characters in this novel and I’d love to read more and more of her work so I’m hoping she has at least one (or five) more books that she’s working on. She also has a Facebook page where you can be sure to have wonderful conversations, not only with her, but with other fans as well, while staying up-to-date on all of the latest news regarding her current book tour and signing events.
I truly recommend everyone read this book, regardless of your age. It’s not only about a woman who’s finding herself and her passion in life at the age of 39, but it’s also about relationships and the great joy to be found in reconnecting with an old friend or the giving and receiving of forgiveness, which is truly an amazing gift. It’s about realizing some people will never change while others will blossom into something truly beautiful. Mostly (for me), it’s about dedicating a little time for yourself. Whether it’s just enough time to get lost in this light and wonderful story or digging deep and being true to who you are meant to be, you will be glad you did and I’m confident you’ll come away feeling excited about what’s yet to come. I know I am.
I can’t wait to pass this book on to a wonderful woman in my life……right after I read it one more time.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from One2OneNetwork to facilitate this review. However, as always, the opinions are my own.
Wow, if that doesn’t resonate! I feel the same way. I hope there’s a happy ending as you definitely make me want to check this book out.
Yes Kathy! You definitely must find this book and read it. It’s truly a wonderfully written novel.
What a wonderful review Cathy. You made me want to run out and get this book. I had a big smile on my face as you talked about how supportive and wonderful your husband is. Please don’t sell plastic pink flamingos 🙂
Thanks so much Lori! I was hoping to convey just how much I related with this story while attempting to give it a fair review. It was such an easy and fun read, but left me with a lot to think about. And plastic pink flamingos could totally be a lucrative business adventure, especially where I live. LOL
Cathy!
What a wonderful review!! Thank you so much for taking the time to read – and then write about – HERE, HOME, HOPE!! I hope you know how much your words just made me smile! That Kelly and her friends, and her T2C lists resonated with you means the world to me, especially for a first-time novelist!
Thank you, so much, and I, too, hope to have more books to follow! Happy Summer!
Fondly,
Kaira
Oh Kaira! Thank you so much for coming by my little corner of the web and reading my review of your wonderful book. I don’t feel I did it proper justice, but it truly did chang my life (and led a couple of my readers to buy it for themselves, which makes me super happy). Oh, you must give us more of your talent in another book. You make it so easy to get lost in the story and that is such an amazing gift!
Thank you so much for coming by my little corner of the web and reading my review of your wonderful book. I don’t feel I did it proper justice, but it truly did chang my life (and led a couple of my readers to buy it for themselves, which makes me super happy). Oh, you must give us more of your talent in another book. You make it so easy to get lost in the story and that is such an amazing gift!apartments for rent Edmonton
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