Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan. From page one, Kelly's witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan--she places Post-it notes all over her house and car--will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.
Here, Home, Hope is the Winner of the 2011 Indie Excellence Award!
At some point in our lives, we all struggle to find out who we are and what we want to do for the rest of our lives. Being a stay at home mother, it's difficult putting your life on hold to take care of your children and household. It is just as hard for working moms, you can't be there for your children, so you try to make time for them when you can, or as in Here, Home, Hope, a friend of Kelly's named Kathryn, asks Kelly to help her out with her anorexic, troubled teenage daughter. Kelly has two boys, one teenager and one tween, she is also trying to figure out what she is going to do with the rest of her life.
At first, when I started reading this book, I didn't feel that I could identify with Kelly and her friends and the rich lives that they lead. But I found myself realizing that in the next few years, both of our children will be in elementary school, and I will have nothing to do for six hours a day while they are there. Reading Here, Home, Hope made me realize that I need to figure out what I want to do now, instead of waiting until the time actually comes.
I like the idea of the story towards the end where Kelly says "...something in my life had to change. What I also discovered was that I was the only one who could do it. Not having that realization was what held me back for so long. I was ready to rewrite Things to Change rule Number One. My life is up to me to define. I needed to make my own dreams come true."
After I was finished reading the book I was left with the ideas that it doesn't matter your size, shape, age, or gender, you can reinvent yourself. Find your passion in life and find a way to make a difference in other people's lives.
Buy It!
Here, Home, Hope can be purchased at most bookstores and also on Amazon.com.
Giveaway is CLOSED
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from One2One Network in exchange for writing a review. No other compensation was received or exchanged.
