Rated of 5
by Selene M. (West Chicago, IL) Mother Daughter Angst
I enjoyed this book on some level. The mother, Jean Saint, was wholly unsympathetic and I disliked the sections written about her. She was small-minded, petty, selfish and did not protect her daughter from child abuse. For someone who lived with spousal abuse until a much wanted daughter was born, she completely writes off her daughter for most of her adult life, because she fears what her hometown will think. The Mary Saint character on the other hand is well written and believable. I longed for her presence whenever Jean's life and choices were being examined. She is the true star of this novel.
Rated of 5
by Kristine L. (The Woodlands, TX) Wayward Saints
I started the book earlier this week only to be interrupted by Thanksgiving preparations. Early this morning, I picked up the book expecting to read a few chapters...Here - hours later, I have completed the book and have enjoyed every minute. At one moment, the book reminds me of the novel "Olive Kitteradge" and at another moment it reminds me of my own inner ramblings. Certainly, an enjoyable, pleasant book about Life, Choices, Forgiveness, And Growing Up....
Rated of 5
by Brenda S. (Grand Rapids, MN) And then what happened?
This is a story that started out slowly, built up speed, and then fizzled. Being a recovering Catholic, I found the sub-storyline a bit sacrilegious, but not offensive. If there was a main theme to this book, it was lost on me. In the positive column, coming of age and heading to middle-age is a tough subject, but that was actually handled quite well. The book is worth reading because it will make you think about acceptance for quite a while.
Rated of 5
by Gayle M. (Billerica, MA) A very pleasant surprise
In writing a book about a former singer, it would have been easy to lean on standard cliches. Instead, Suzzy Roche delivers a book filled with interesting, three dimensional characters that you care about. The story is funny, sad, quirky and honest. I would highly recommend this book and am looking forward to Suzzy Roche’s next book.
Rated of 5
by Jane N. (Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey) Wayward Saints
When you get past the musical references and all of the anger associated with the genre that the author is referring to in the book, this is a really great read. At it's heart it is a love story about the most difficult relationship any woman will have in her life; that is the relationship with her mother. The story of Jean Saint, the mother, and Mary Saint, the daughter is a warm and well told and should touch you deeply. Mary is the epitome of a rebellious daughter who makes the big time in spite of herself. Her fame does nothing to solve her problems with the people in her life and her life in general. In fact, her fame accentuates the problems and the methods that Mary chooses to solve them only add to her destructive modus operandi. While Mary struggles with her own demons, her mother Jean, struggles with her own. Mother and daughter are very much alike. Mary is flamboyant while Jean is passive aggressive in dealing with the life that that share. Suzy does an excellent job of weaving the two stories together. The supporting characters that Roche has created to flesh the story out are also amazing and the sub plot that she created is worth a book of its own. Thaddeus is so real and adds so much to the story that I hope he appears in Roche’s future works. This book will be enjoyed for a long time. I know that I will recommend it to my friends and my book club.
Rated of 5
by Eileen L. (Danvers, MA) Great premise, not so great book
This book started out with great promise. Interesting premise, engaging characters, and the conflicts and resolution inherent in any family drama. The Saints, Mother and Daughter, just never develop, and the father is a footnote in a drama created by his cruelty. The book just seems to try to hard to make a point that is somehow lost on the reader. As much as I wanted to care about this family I just never felt them come alive.
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of 5
by Selene M. (West Chicago, IL) 
of 5
by Kristine L. (The Woodlands, TX) 
