This is a guest review by SAGE HELENA HOOTEN. Her bio:
Sage is a 15-year-old girl living in Savannah, GA with her eccentric family. In addition to being a voracious reader, she enjoys ballroom dancing, singing and using her imagination. She is an avid hamster lover as well.
Beth Hoffman’s new book Looking for Me, which recently became a New York Times bestseller, is a delightful read. Beth Hoffman’s second book is quite different from her first as far as content goes, but Hoffman’s writing style shines through and creates similarities between the two books. (Hoffman’s first book, also a New York Times bestseller, is Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, which was published in 2010. )
In Looking for Me, Teddi Overman, who owns her own antique and furniture repair / decorating shop in Charleston, is pulled back to where she grew up in Kentucky to find answers to the questions she has about her younger brother’s disappearance that happened many years earlier. While in Kentucky, her mother, whom she has a love-hate relationship with becomes ill. Teddi is forced to explore the deep depths of her past that she has long since forgotten. Overtime, Teddi finds love in the least expected way, she comes to terms with her past and she starts a new chapter in her life.
Beth Hoffman brings Teddi to life as the depths of Teddi’s emotions are true to ours. The range of emotions that Hoffman gives Teddi and Teddi’s willingness to overcome the sore spots in her past is quite realistic and refreshing. Hoffman recreates the southern charm of Charleston and describes wonderfully the Kentucky farmland where Teddi grew up.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. I especially recommend it to women who are looking for a book with a strong female character. This book, although it might have a larger vocabulary than some girls between the ages of 9-12, the book is totally age-appropriate content-wise and would be a great read-aloud book. This is a great beach- read for this summer!
Thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for the review copy.
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Book: Hardcover
9.25 x 6.25in
368 pages
ISBN 9780670025831
28 May 2013
What a terrific surprise! Sage, thank you so much for your wonderful review of my novel. I’m delighted that you enjoyed Teddi’s story and grateful for your kind words. I sure wish my tour had brought me to Savannah, but I’ll be back … I promise!