Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
Fiction
2022
Narrated by Julia Whalen
Finished on June 29, 2024
Rating: 3.5/5 (Pretty Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
A woman returns to her small Maine hometown, uncovering family secrets that take her on a journey of self-discovery and new love, in this warm and charming novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over.
Smarting from her recently cancelled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown of Calcasset to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be ninety. Along with boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie's curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to the never-married Dot that ends with the line, "And anyway, if you're ever desperate, there are always ducks, darling."
Laurie is told that the duck has no financial value. But after it disappears under suspicious circumstances, she feels compelled to figure out why anyone would steal a wooden duck--and why Dot kept it hidden away in the first place. Suddenly Laurie finds herself swept up in a righteous caper that has her negotiating with antiques dealers and con artists, going on after-hours dates at the local library, and reconnecting with her oldest friend and first love. Desperate to uncover her great-aunt's secrets, Laurie must reckon with her past, her future, and ultimately embrace her own vision of flying solo.
I enjoyed this light-hearted novel by Linda Holmes a little bit better than her debut, Evvie Drake Starts Over. Flying Solo is not one that would have held my interest had I read the print edition, but the audiobook, narrated by the wonderful Julia Whalen, was just what I needed to pass the time on my daily walks. Leaning more toward romance than general fiction, it's not my favorite genre, but Whalen kept me entertained, and even had me laughing out loud at some of Laurie's dialogue.
I received a complimentary copy from Libro.fm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I've heard such wonderful things about Julia Whalen as an audiobook narrator. I must look for something she has done.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I did a quick search and it looks like I've listened to nine books narrated by Whelan (two of which are novels that she wrote). Here's a link to my reviews for all of those books.
DeleteI read Evvie Drake Starts Over when it came out and loved it.
ReplyDeleteVicki, you might enjoy this one, too!
DeleteI listened to Evvie Drake and it was a bit too chick lit-y for me, so I will likely pass on this one. But I can see where it would be an easy listen.
ReplyDeleteSusan, her books are a bit chick-lit-y, but this one wasn't as sappy or predictable as her debut. Still, too many books, too little time would make it an easy pass for you, I'm sure.
DeleteA good narrator can make a book! And Julia Whalen is sooooo good.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I am always amazed by Julia Whalen's narration. She can switch between female and male voices with great ease!
DeleteI liked Evie Drake well enough, but not sure I'd seek out another title by this author. So many books on my tbr...
ReplyDeleteYeah, this one is something you can skip, JoAnn. I've been reading a lot of lighter novels, although they all have some serious themes, so "light" probably isn't the correct word. I'm slowly working my way through my audiobooks on Libro.fm and this was one that was comp'd.
Delete