Shari H

I used the words from the cover of the book because that is what the main theme of the book is. It is a story about a bruised, broken and scared family. They have suffered the horror of having a family member that not only is mentally ill but dangerous, not once, but twice. The story of how the family built their dream home of safety and comfort. The family pulled together and discovered the joys of family and accomplishment as well as depending on each other. It was a very heartfelt drama unfolding and I felt pulled into the story. I could relate somewhat to what Cara went through and the steps she did to protect her children. I really enjoyed the book.

Ava is a French professor at a local college and finds herself alone after her husband leaves her for a younger woman who is also a yarn bomber. This yarn bomber habit I found very funny. With Ava's two children off on their own and she struggles to find herself as she starts the next phase of her life.

Ava joins an exclusive book club and their topic for the books they will read that year is "The Book that Matters Most". She chooses a book that helped her deal with the tragic losses in her childhood.

The story also follows Ava's daughter, Maggie, who is also trying to find direction in her life with her new found freedom. It is interesting the parallels between Ava and Maggie as they search for happiness and purpose.

The interaction of the members of the book club was interesting as well as the character development of each of them as we get to know their life stories.

I am a fan of Ann Hood's books and was thrilled to be able to read this book. The story pulled me in and I especially liked the interesting twists and turns in the story. Even though I suspected how the book would end, I was never sure until I got there. The story really kept my interest from the first page. I could feel the joys and pains of the characters.