Dear Saving Missy,
Thank you for reminding me of the resiliency in human-kind, encouraging people to keep growing and adapting, and introducing me to one of the cutest animals in literature: Bobby.
With Love,
Hannah
P.S. Book Details
Author: Beth Morrey
Book Length: 400 pages
Book Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: February 2020
Awards: N/A
Synopsis: Missy Carmichael’s life has become small.
Grieving for a family she has lost or lost touch with, she’s haunted by the echoes of her footsteps in her empty home; the sound of the radio in the dark; the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock.
Spiky and defensive, Missy knows that her loneliness is all her own fault. She deserves no more than this; not after what she’s done. But a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new.
Another life beckons for Missy, if only she can be brave enough to grasp the opportunity. But seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn’t it?
………………………………………………………….
Honestly, I am unsure my feelings about this book. On the one hand, I enjoyed the premise. Anti-social and hard to get to know character turned into a soft and loving person is a favorite theme of mine. This book was compared to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, which is one of my favorite books. I can see the comparison, and agree, however this one didn’t seem to hit home in the same way Oliphant endeared herself to me. When reading Saving Missy, it felt like a book I had read before. On the one hand it can be nice to feel good/at home in a book, on the other hand I was expecting it to be more.
I did not completely enjoy the romance in the book, between Missy and her husband, Leo. It sort of felt sad. He was made out to be a heart throb and a worthwhile man, but I was not getting the same vibe from him. To me, he seemed manipulative and degrading to Missy. I observed her throughout the book and felt she deserved more credit than she got.
Yet, Missy also had flaws. Morrey did an excellent job showing a well rounded protagonist. I thoroughly enjoyed Missy’s interactions with others and growing in her own assertiveness and bravery. She is the proof of resiliency in humankind, no matter their age or past trauma. Missy’s big secret (I promise I won’t spoil) was not a huge surprise to me. I knew something was going to happen and found myself guessing before the big reveal.
All in all, Saving Missy is an interesting book. I did tear up a couple times, so if you get emotional in books a box of tissues for a companion is not a bad idea. If you enjoy animal/human relationships, Missy and Bobby are absolutely adorable. While this is an uplifting read, I do not recommend going into this book looking for a light read.
To Books, With Love 