#252 ~ The Threadbare Heart

The Threadbare Heart by Jennie Nash

Published by: Berkley Trade

Published on: May 4, 2010

Page Count: 304

Genre: Women’s Fiction

My Reading Format: ARC sent to me by the publisher in conjunction with the author’s Mother’s Day contest

Available Formats: paperback

Lily has an empty nest and she’s taking on fewer responsibilities at the New England college where she and her beloved husband have been teaching for many years. At this cross roads in her life, Lily is feeling less than confident. Even her marriage, the one stronghold in her life, is beginning to feel off. This becomes especially apparent to her when she and Tom fly out to her mother’s lavish home in California. To make matters worse, she and Eileen never really saw eye-to-eye. Eileen seemed to throw love and marriages away like old newspaper. She never gave Lily the stability she felt she needed. Eileen’s life is also changing. As she is getting older, her friends are dying. She needs to decide what is important to her. Can both women save what they love the most and learn to embrace life’s changes?

The Threadbare Heart is an interesting look at life and love as women age.  While I thought that at times Lily overreacted to seemingly things with Tom, I understood her character and felt her struggles.  I also related to the way that found her creative outlets.  Her love for her grandmother’s lace hit home.  Eileen is equally sympathetic and, because she’s more openly and honestly flawed, was my favorite character.  I know that she’s the type of person I’d want to spend time with.  Although this mother and daughter pair are such distinctly different women, it made sense to me that they were connected because they really needed each other.

I enjoyed reading The Threadbare Heart and finished it in less than a weekend.  One disappointment I had was not really related to the story itself.  The publisher’s summary gave away something that happened half-way into the novel.  I wish that  hadn’t read it at all before picking up the book.  I would strongly caution anyone interested in reading this novel not to read the back cover.  You’ll thank me later.  I would definitely recommend this book to those who like reading about mature women and their relationships.

My Favorite Mother/Daughter Team

Although no one entered my contest, I still would like to share my favorite mother/daughter  duo.  Ever since I first saw Steel Magnolias, I’ve loved M’Lynn and Shelby.  They brought out the best in each other.  When needed, they provided each other the strength needed to do what had to be done, even after death.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, Barbara, and to all mothers out there!