#BookReview: The Future She Left Behind by Marin Thomas

the future she left behindAbout the Book

One woman’s journey home gets derailed by her soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law in a novel filled with humor, small-town charm, rekindled love, and the resilient ties of family.

Cast aside by her cheating husband, Katelyn Chandler is ready to pack it all in and drive home to Little Springs, Texas. She wants a chance to regroup, reconnect with her mother, and get back to her art.

But Shirley Pratt—master manipulator, elitist snob, and Katelyn’s terror of a live-in monster-in-law—has other ideas. Shirley insists on joining Katelyn’s trip after her son tries to pack her off to a retirement community. Katelyn has no choice but to play peacekeeper between the ornery old woman and the proud matrons of Little Springs. Yet the small town seems to be changing Shirley. And as Katelyn weighs the wisdom of picking up where she left off with Jackson Mendoza, the town bad boy and her high school sweetheart, she must find a way to believe in the strength of her dreams.

My Review

I have read Marin Thomas in the past, and I think she is a solid story teller. With this women’s fiction offering, we follow Katelyn Chandler, who is dealing with an impending divorce after finding out her husband is cheating. It’s interesting to get to know Katelyn – who came from very humble beginnings, to her now cushy life with her wealthy soon to be ex-husband. I loved the setting of Little Springs, Texas, from the cast of characters to the grocery store. I will say that I had trouble really connecting with the book. I think a lot of the characters aren’t necessarily likeable. Relatable – in a way, but hard to really start rooting for. I did like the way everything started to slide together toward the end, but I never really felt truly invested in the story. It was still a pleasing read and I wanted to see how the ending would play out, but not a favorite for me.

3.5 stars