Jodi is a 67 year old podiatrist who lives and works in Boca Raton Florida. Her husband Jake was the reason that they no longer lived in New York City, where Jodi was happy with her friends and her podiatry practice. But she has always been a good wife and mother, so when Jake had to move for his career, she packed up and went. Retirement wasn't what Jake wanted so he was fired by his company and now was ready for a change.
Their daughter Lisa begs Jodi to babysit her granddaughter in the Berkshires for a week while she visits hubby Brian, as she has no one else who can help. How can Jodi refuse? Especially when she hasn't been the best grandma to Callie-after all she didn't live near her granddaughter as did son-in-law Brian's mom, Di, the real estate wunderkind.
When she gets to Lisa's house, she finds Di is actually planning on staying with Callie after all, and a young woman who is living with Di's ex, is considered another member of Lisa's family-and Callie calls her Granny Annie. Way too many grandmas! As Jodi is forced to interact with people beyond her comfort level, she begins to realize that there are many ways of viewing situations, and that her take could be wrong. When presented with a life-changing choice, Jodi just might have the audacity to put her own interests first.
As always, Rothstein finds humor in every situation. Her books are laugh-out-loud funny, and this one is no exception. The characters she creates are always "characters," but are not so over the top as to detract from their humanity. In this "humorous" novel, she delves into divorce, disease, treatment of women, and growing up and accepting responsibility. And when main character Jodi wrestles with her people pleasing nature, the reader sympathizes-because all women have been there. Come for the laughs, stay for the wisdom.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
Publication date - October 15, 2024
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