Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter
Release date: July 2009 / 336 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she’s found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase.
First line: “There was nothing remarkable about the police interrogation room.”
Review: I read this novel in one sitting, one weekend at the cabin, and mostly enjoyed it. However, the thought that kept surfacing as I was reading was… “Kind of creepy.” But I did really enjoy it!
The main character is sort tripping through life, which I usually find annoying, but Andes quickly was placed in a situation that required great responsibility and rose to the occasion. Her attraction to Chase’s father was “creepy thing #1″ and Jay’s willingness to give his son to a complete stranger was “creepy thing #2″ (not to mention Chase’s apparent pyromanic tendencies and Andes snake charming past… intrigued yet?).
But despite a rather foreboding beginning, the relationship of Andes and Chase is interesting, complex, and compelling. If you enjoyed About a Boy or Keeper and Kid, I’m pretty sure you would enjoy this novel, too.
Although mostly character-driven, the novel actually has a well-defined plot, too, that is intriguing and moves forward at a nice pace.
So, if you enjoy novels about young boys becoming friends with non-familial adults, give this a try! And, if you would like a chance to win a free copy, simply drop me a comment!
This one looks really good!
I would love to read this. I love books, that once you start reading it, it’s hard to put down.
sharon54220@gmail.com
Thank you, Sharon and Carey — You both are in the running!!
Ooh…character-driven novels are my favorite. They’re so meaty.
So true, Judy! Who needs plot?
Sounds like a good book, especially if it can be compared to Abouta Boy!! Please count me in
I’d love to try for this one! Sounds good!
You’re in the running, Lisa! I’m going away for the weekend, but I’ll choose a winner on Monday!
Any connection to “About a Boy” has to be a great read…please enter me into the contest. Enjoy your weekend away!
Thank you, Linda — So far our weekend has been lovely…
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This looks great. please enter me . Thank you.
I would like to read this one. Please enter me in the giveaway
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The book sounds weird, but interesting. I would like to read it. Count me in, please, and thanks for a giveaway
Looks like an interesting book. Add me to the giveaway, please.
Summer and Belinda! You’re in the running!
It is kind of weird at times, Teresa — You and Suzan are in the running, too!
You won, Teresa!! Hope you enjoy it, too!
I loved “About a Boy” – please enter me!
Congrats Teresa
This sounds like a great book. Enter me please!
Alexa and Aleksandra — You’re in the running, too!
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