Review by Booklist Review
What if you had the chance to step into your favorite author's shoes? That's what happens to Liv--wife, mother, aspiring writer, and house cleaner. When the famous recluse and best-selling author Essie dies unexpectedly, Liv learns that Essie's final wish was for Liv to finish her manuscript on her behalf, while keeping her death a secret. But to accomplish this, Liv must unravel Essie's past to find a perfect ending for her characters. Liv quickly discovers that nothing pertaining to Essie is as it seems, while her journey shakes up her marriage and family life and calls into question who gets to do "real" writing. Fans of lively fiction will be instantly drawn into the world Patrick (The Secrets of Love Story Bridge, 2020) creates with her signature charming, breezy style which is further enlivened with nods to popular literature. The elusive Essie is part J. D. Salinger and part J. K. Rowling, the plot pairs The Devil Wears Prada with Weekend at Bernie's, and Patrick imbues this novel about writing a novel with just the right touch of suspense.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Patrick (The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper) has written a novel about a woman's search for herself while living the life of someone else, a famous author no less. Single mother of two Liv Green is struggling to make ends meet. She loves to read and dreams of becoming a writer. When her favorite author, Essie Starling, a notorious recluse, hires her as her house cleaner, Liv is beyond excited. Then Essie dies suddenly, and Liv learns that Essie's dying wish is for her to finish her final novel. As Liv researches and begins to write, she realizes a connection the two women share. Liv is a relatable character thrust into a unique situation. Essie's final request gives her the opportunity for new experiences, allowing her to expand her horizons while pursuing her dreams. Narrator Katy Sobey brings Liv to life, giving depth to both the personal struggles and the triumphs of the main character. The ending, while not surprising, will satisfy readers. VERDICT Informed listeners will also enjoy the many novels the protagonist reads, including both classics and more recent books.--Elyssa Everling
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