It All Comes Back to You, book review

It All Comes Back to You by Beth Duke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This will be your next book club read, you'll learn from it, and you might get in an argument with your friends about perception of some of the plot elements. A cordial, "Bless your heart" insult kind of Southern tiff. But then everyone with sip some wine and laugh it off.

I donated sleep to this book and it was totally warranted. I crave books that challenge me, contain deep and meaningful themes and color authentic and rich characters. This book has all of those attributes in addition to being delightfully readable.

As a writer myself, I was hesitant to read a book that followed a writer in her prices of novel creation. Please don't let that stop you. This book has inspired me to finish my own book and to keep going after that!

(view spoiler)[The Southern fiction follows the life of a woman born around 1930 through the eyes of a young woman she befriended late in life. We start the book thinking she's a typical spoiled and beloved homecoming queen (a judgement women make of her to the end of her life) and discover the more complex woman beneath. Themes include how women support each other (or don't), motherly relationships, justification of hurtful action, selling the elderly as the 22 year olds they are at heart and many more.

I won't spoil it completely, but HEAVENS! The twists and the way the author presented them were like surprise punches to the gut. I never saw that last one coming and it's still challenging what I think about it. (hide spoiler)]

These characters have real flaws and no one comes out shining brilliantly. However, don't we all need that reminder? Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the book and exchange for a fair review.

View all my reviews This post may contain affiliate links, which help me support my art habit, Liz Lenzi Art.