Monday, September 21, 2020

EVERY NOW AND THEN by Lesley Kagen

 


This is my first book by Lesley Kagen but will not be my last.

This is such a good book. It's a very cute quick read with a lot of intense things going on also. It starts out with Elizabeth Buchanan telling a story about her and her two best friends. The setting is the summer of 1960 and these three girls are eleven years old. Just old enough to be kids and be finding themselves. Their innocence is so sweet in this book. Some of the things they say made me laugh so hard. They are three different girls who are always there for each other no matter what. They call themselves the "tree musketeers." Not a mistype either. 

Elizabeth/Biz, Francis/Frankie and Vivian/Viv, are three great young girls who enjoy this summer to the fullest. They love going to watch scary movies at the Rivoli Theatre. They are on the edge of growing up and experience so many things this crazy summer. Some not so great but most was. They started visiting outside a mental hospital because, well in my opinion, they were just nosey and wanted to see what was going on. But they quickly became friends with some of the not so ill patience. It was just part of what they did that summer. Until something happened and they had to stop. 

This is a story that will definitely make you see how fast time flies also. These youngsters were the very best of friends and stayed so all their lives. Even after they graduated and went on to different colleges and became individuals. They had a bond that drew them all back together to grow old together. To look back on that summer and some other times. To just be there for each other. 

This is a very lighthearted book with some intense parts that will keep you turning the pages. The characters are so well loved. From Aunt Jane May to Doc to the sheriff. There’s  so so many characters you will love that I can't possibly begin to name them all. You will get to know then though and they will worm their way into your heart as they did mine. From the patience at the mental hospital to the relatives of these young girls. Each has a place that fits so well. This story will bring out a lot of emotions. From laughter, big belly laughs, too many tears. From realizing how fast time does fly by too enjoying the time you have now. Time.. It does go by so quickly. One day you are an innocent child, then you are looking back on your life talking about the things you use to get into. These three girls sure did. 

The way the author made everything fall together in this book was great. It had no abrupt ending that left you wondering. Everything was cleared up. What happened to each person was there. I liked that so much. A lot of books leave me wondering. Not this one though. It was tied up without any doubts as to where each girl landed. Great job Ms Kagen.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LesleyKagen, #AlcovePress for this ARC. This is my own honest review.

I gave it a huge 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation. Great story.

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