On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
This book has not been screaming at me from my To-Be-Read shelf but it was released prior to this year. I grabbed this author’s
And Then There’s Margaret: A Laugh Out Loud Family Dramedy
Women’s Humorous Fiction/Family Drama
1st in Series
Publisher : Black Rose Writing (December 20, 2022)
Hardcover : 257 pages
ISBN-10 : 1685132146
ISBN-13 : 978-1685132149
Paperback : 257 pages
ISBN-10 : 1684339936
ISBN-13 : 978-1684339938
Kindle ASIN : B09WD9L7WM
Audiobook ASIN : B0BTR272VP
When Allison Montgomery’s beloved father-in-law and long-time confidant passes away, her mother-in-law, Margaret, ‘temporarily’ moves in. From rearranging the furniture and taking over the kitchen, to undermining and embarrassing Allie at every turn, including funding her daughter’s escape, throwing a hissy fit at the mall, and publicly equating Allie’s glass of Chardonnay to full blown alcoholism, Margaret turns Allie’s life upside down causing her to bounce between a sincere desire to support her grieving mother-in-law and an intense urge to simply push her out of the nearest window.
Feeling annoyed, trapped and even a little childish, Allie struggles to avoid a complete meltdown with help from her fearless and audacious best friend, a plan for reinventing herself and enjoying a second act, and, yes, a few glasses of Chardonnay. Along the way, Allie discovers the reasons behind Margaret’s attitude toward her all these years. Does it help? Maybe…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Allison Montgomery had a great relationship with her father-in-law, George. Her mother-in-law, Margaret is not her biggest fan. When George passes away she not only loses a friend and confidant, she loses the buffer he created between her and Margaret. When Margaret moves in temporarily Allie’s patience is tested to great lengths. Over the course of time and plenty of drama, Allie learns why Margaret has been treating her the way she has. Will it bring them together or drive them farther apart?
Margaret Montgomery is a master manipulator and self-absorbed. I was just 2 chapters in when I gave thanks that my mother-in-law is a wonderful independent woman and nothing like Margaret. Does she give advice? Yes, when asked? Does she try to take over our lives? No, she never would. Margaret goes over the line in Allie’s home time and time again. It is no wonder Allie drinks, but she is no alcoholic. Ms. Clarke has created interesting characters in Margaret and Allie. Margaret is cunning. Allie is smart. Margaret brings drama and chaos. Allie knows how to pick her battles and not to come between a man and his mother. Allie is a kindergarten teacher. That helps her handle some of Margaret’s behaviors. I do wish Allie had more focus about her life. She wants changes and makes snap decisions that don’t work out at least most of the time. Her latest big change is just starting at the end of the book. I have hope that it is a good move.
The supporting cast is made up of Allie’s husband Hank, their son Cameron, and their daughter Samantha. Margaret effects each of their lives in different ways. Hank is a financial analyst with a stressful job and a mother complex. I was disappointed he didn’t stand up for Allie more. Samantha is twenty-one and has flunked most of her college exams and is trying to “find herself”. She and Margaret were thick as thieves and it could have cost them both dearly. Cameron is in high school, ready to take his driver’s test. I have a 16-year-old grandson so I really felt sorry for Cameron who took on a lot dealing with his grandmother. I really enjoyed the times Allie was “talking” to George. It spoke to the bond they had and gave her a way to cope.
Maybe because I am on Allie’s side I didn’t find as much humor in the story as was touted. Some passages were depressing and others hurtful. The ending felt off because it happened too quickly. It was a good place to start and should have happened earlier in the story.
And Then There’s Margaret was not the book I had thought it would be but it made me appreciate the family I have. We have been through a lot and may not always see eye to eye, but we always have each other’s backs.
I have read the synopsis of the next book, It takes place five years after this one ends with the focus on Cameron. I want to read it just to see how and if this dysfunctional family has moved forward at all.
I purchased this book from Amazon. It is part of my personal collection.
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I purchased this book from Amazon. It is part of my personal collection.