About the book
BOOK SUMMARY
A heartwarming story about a 79-year-old woman who rediscovers love and forgiveness through unexpected friendships, proving it’s never too late for personal growth and connection.
Published 2020
Contemporary Fiction
339 pages
More depressing than dystopia
March 4, 2026
Why did this book feel more depressing than the bleak dystopian novel I just finished?? I was led to believe that I would be reading a heartwarming story about finding your stride later in life, à la A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I guess that’s kind of what it was, but maybe it just didn’t work as well as those other examples because there wasn’t enough humor in the writing to compensate for all the heaviness and Missy’s unexpectedly complex life choices. I enjoyed the basic premise, and it’s always nice reading about how strangers can positively impact each other’s lives. However, even with the supposedly uplifting conclusion, Missy’s life still left me feeling more sad than hopeful.
kelsi’s reading diary 