The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker by Jenni Keer

I have to start this blog post by saying that I finally found a friendship done right, in a way that I could sympathize and empathize with in this book. The last year had quite a few such relationships, friendships between octogenarians and young reclusive women. There will be more such in the coming year also (I am sure) because of the enormous potential of codependence between them and the scope of learning that can occur. I did not find any of them that appealing in 2018 and I am glad I started with the one book that felt right in 2019.

The feel of the book varied from comic statements like

“..made do with a stuffed Scooby-Do [instead of a real pet] (Great at the sit command-rubbish at fetch)”

to the more poignant

“..knowing she was loved, but possibly not understood.”

This is the wide range that the book spans and I shed quite a lot of tears towards the end. Lucy Baker has a lot more in her than she gives herself credit for, she is a hard worker, a team player and part of a loving family. It takes a few nudges and a magical locket to give her the confidence to make the tiny changes in her life that can make all the difference. She is surrounded by people who are all not exactly as they seem at the first meeting (who usually is?) and discovering her life through her new found confidence is the focus of the story. The romance is but a blip in her life but brings her both joy and tears. I would have given this book 4.5 stars if that was an option and it would have been a five star read if I had but a little bit more of everybody!

I recommend this book to all those who want to start their new year with a bounce in their step and a happy tear in their eye (if you are into that kind of thing). P.S: There is also a semi magical (or so I believe) cat as indicated on the cover.

Affiliate link if you are interested in purchasing the book : Book Depository