Wrap Up: July

The list of July reviews! I swear, July was overflowing with great reads. :) I love months like that.

Finding Out

Getting dumped on the sidewalk by her live-in boyfriend of seven years and finding he nearly emptied their savings account is the first of Sheila Davenport's problems. At 36, Sheila had thought her life was on track.

Now she's saddled with a mortgage that is about to skyrocket, a psychotic boss, and she has to train someone who is unqualified and just doesn't care about the rules. Life no longer makes sense.


Her friends advise her to date immediately, preferably someone rich and successful, or risk being old and alone. But Sheila's trying to figure out what went wrong and how she got to this place. Since Prince Charming has ruined Sheila's life, who can save her now?

Help comes unexpectedly from her 86-year old neighbor who has had her own share of life's ups and downs. After each get together, Sheila begins to find the strength to put the pieces of her life together while fighting not to lose her head.

Will Sheila succeed at work or walk away? Can she save her home? And why do her friends think their lives are any better?

A story of love found and lost, true friendship, and how the human spirit endures. - Goodreads

**

Finding Out by Sheryn MacMunn is a heart-wrenching story of what to do when your life falls apart around you, on the surface. Digging deeper into the plot and characters, readers will notice that it's much more than that. 

MacMunn explores how losing everything can empower you. You know what they say, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." And sometimes it just takes a little perspective. When Sheila's life, literally, falls apart at the seems, she realizes that she has no one to rely on but herself. 

Throughout the novel, readers will see Sheila grow and evolve as a character. Beginning as a woman relying on those around her and ending as a woman who fights for what she wants. As her naivete wears away, MacMunn reveals a very strong female character who doesn't sit idly by watching her life move on without her. 

Perspective comes in the form of an elderly next door neighbor, Ruth, who shares her story of WWII with Sheila. Surviving the war and following her dreams inspires Sheila to re-build her life, one step at a time. As Ruth says, miracles are waiting but you have to find them and make them your own. 

As this is MacMunn's first novel, I think we can all expect more good things from this author. And we, as her audience, will be able to see how she evolves as a writer. In Finding Out there are, of course, a few mistakes here and there, a few less-than-perfect transitions, and maybe even an avoidance of writing how certain obstacles play out. Overall, it's an inspiring novel that relates two women from different eras in a life goal of finding out how to be happy. 

Finding Out

on Amazon

rating: 3/5 cups

WWW-Wednesday (10)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

01. Currently Reading:
The Transformed by Raphael Hirsch. Cancer is spreading everywhere. 1 in 10 people have it. And one scientist has discovered a cure, though he doesn't believe it. Now those who are trying to spread the cancer are after the scientist. If he dies, no cure. Problem solved. This novel so far is extremely creepy and intense. But I'm loving it because of my science-loving genes. :D

02. Recently Finished:
Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker. The third book in the "Never the Bride" series, and it was wonderful! Such a light, fun read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

03. Reading Next:
Finding Out by Sheryn MacMunn. So called "Prince Charming" has ruined Sheila's life. Now she has the pieces to pick up, alone. An unexpected friend appears in the form of an elderly neighbor to help Sheila. I think this book will be a great read. No one really explores what happens after Prince Charming rides off into the sunset with all of the Princess' money.