Finding Libbie by Deanna Lynn Sletten - #review

Poring over a dusty hatbox of photographs in her grandmother’s closet, Emily Prentice is shocked to discover her father was married to his high school sweetheart before meeting her mother.

In the summer of 1968, Jack and Libbie fall in love under the spell of their small town, untouched by the chaos of the late sixties. Though Libbie’s well-to-do parents disapprove of Jack’s humble family and his aspiration to become a mechanic, she marries Jack a year after they graduate high school. But soon their happiness crumbles as Libbie’s mental state unravels and she is drawn to alcohol and drugs. Despite his efforts to help her, Jack loses the woman he loves and is forced to move on with his life.

Now that Emily’s mother has passed away, Jack is alone again, and Emily grows obsessed with the beautiful woman who had given her father such joy. Determined to find Libbie, Emily pieces together the couple’s fragmented past. But is it too late for happy endings?

GoodReads * Amazon * Books-a-Million * Barnes & Noble

~~~oOo~~~

MY REVIEW

Finding Libbie is probably one of the most powerful stories I've read this year.  I applaud the author for her inclusion and handling of Libbie's addiction and mental illness.

I can only imagine what Emily thought when she came across that box of photos.  I, myself, am on my second marriage - the first one lasted 6 months, this 2nd (and last, one way or another) has lasted so far nearly 20 years; and my children were surprised to learn I had been married before their father.  But our story is nothing compared to Jack and Emily's.  I suppose with a relationship that enervating, you wouldn't exactly be telling stories of your first marriage around the Sunday dinner table to your kids.

And searching for her father's first love, a bold move on Emily's part.  What if he wants nothing to do with that part of his past?  Is she even still alive?  Such questions must have plagued Emily at the outset of her quest.  There was definitely no guarantee of a 'happily-ever-after' here.

And I loved jumping into the social differences between Jack and Libbie's families.  Not surprising that the higher-placed social family (Libbie's) would look down on a man of Jack's humble beginnings.  And that kind of torques me, but it is what it is.

Such a tale could easily become unrelentingly stressful for someone of my emotional nature, but Ms. Sletten tempers light and heavy moments with ease and skill.  If you like sitting down with serious stories and standing up a changed person, Finding Libbie should be on your shelf.

~~~oOo~~~

MEET THE AUTHOR

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Deanna Lynn Sletten grew up on the sunny coast of Southern California before moving to northern Minnesota as a teenager. Her interest in writing novels was sparked in a college English class, and she has been writing in some form or another ever since. In 2011, Deanna self-published her first novel and has since published several more, both on her own and with Lake Union Publishing.

Deanna enjoys writing heartwarming women’s fiction and romance novels with unforgettable characters. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes readers on the adventure of a lifetime. She believes in fate, destiny, love at first sight, soul mates, second chances, magic, and happily ever after—all of which are reflected in her novels.

Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian shepherd or relaxing on her boat in the summer.

~~~oOo~~~

Click on the tour host button to go to the tour page, where you will find links to more reviews of this and other titles.  You can also find out how to become a blog host for future book tours while you are there!

(Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers via TLC Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.)