Finding Balance

This book was quite different than the others in the series. It was more of a side book looking more into Mary and Luke’s lives with Amy Luke’s oldest child. It also introduces another character that becomes the main character in the last book in this series. There is a bit of match making in this book but otherwise it isn’t a romance like the others. I’ve enjoyed the characters in this series and it is always nice to see more of their lives.

*This book was provided to me for an honest review* I listened to the audiobook. I liked the concept as I always enjoyed Amy’s character. I’ve listened to all of the previous books in this series and my feeling towards them ranged from LOVED to enjoyable. This one was difficult for a few reasons. Amy and her fellow 2nd graders often seemed WAY too cognizant/advanced/adult-like for their ages. However, there were times where Amy seemed more age appropriate. I expect this is due to difficulties of creating an adult novel but through the viewpoint of a child. I am NOT a fan of the narrator who voices Amy - her voice grates on me. And her version of a Australian accent changes from sentence to sentence. None of which seem accurate. Her voices for Amy and Mary were too similar. I noticed at least once changes in pronunciation from Ann-Ica to Ahhn-ica. I couldn’t stop thinking about my dislike for the narrator of the Amy character (main one) and how adult-like Amy was coming across the whole time.

So good! Different from the others in the series, this novella gave a fresh perspective and delved into those of old favorites! Amy’s sometimes blunt statements and thoughts made me laugh, and the emotional depth to the story was great!

After Amy’s mom died, she served as stand-in mom for her little brother, even though she was barely old enough to go to school. When Mary enters her life Amy is reminded how it feels to have a real mom…until her birth mom’s sister, Aunt Anica, shows up and expresses her disapproval for Amy calling Mary “Mom.” Confused, Amy begins to wonder whose daughter she really is. Should she be faithful to the memory of her loving mom Elizabeth, who died tragically? Or should she embrace Mary as her true mother? With a little help from a teacher, a neighbor, and a chicken named Hope, Amy explores her identity and learns just how deeply she is loved. This sweet, poignant story is so endearing and so meaningful. A thoughtful reminder that grief affects everyone differently but that there is hope after the storm.