Set against the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb’s latest novel tells the emotionally compelling story of one woman’s life-changing discovery about her past . . . As a child, Evie Lindsay was unnerved by her premonitions. As an adult, they have become a simple fact of life—sometimes disruptive but also inescapable, much like her … inescapable, much like her quirky, loveable family. Evie’s mother, Poppy, and her aunts, Camellia and Iris, are well known on San Orcanita island for their free-spirited ways and elaborately decorated hats. Their floral shop and Evie’s bookstore draw streams of visitors all summer long. This season promises to be extra busy: Evie’s sister, Jules, is getting married on the island.
As Jules plans her unconventional wedding, she arranges to do a DNA test with her mother, sister, and aunts, to see how much accepted lore about their heritage holds true. The results blow apart everything Evie has grown up believing about herself and her family. Spurred on by the revelations, Evie uncovers the real story of her past. But beyond her feelings of shock and betrayal, there are unexpected opportunities—to come to terms with a gift that has sometimes felt like a curse, to understand the secrets that surrounded her childhood, and to embrace the surprising new life that is waiting for her . . .
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Popcorn is made out of corn, which is a vegetable. Apple pie has apples in it. Ice Cream is in the milk group. A book hoarder too! What’s not to love!
I so enjoyed the character of Evie and her story. Quirky, compassionate, sensitive Evie owns an independent bookstore on the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. She also has had premonitions her whole life, affecting every part of her life. Because of this, she has shut herself off from most situations, especially her love life. Something is missing, but she’s not sure what. Her Mom and Aunts are hysterical, the love with her sister so touching, her animals are almost human … you fall in love with them immediately.
The book started a little slow for me, but picked up nicely to the point I finished it in three sittings. Your heart will go out to the situations in the book, heartbreaking to say the least. Ms. Lamb ties the story together nicely. Her words flow, and descriptions transport you to this small island. You feel Evie’s anxiety and confusion. At the beginning, I could not relate to the characters, but, by the middle, you are so totally vested it doesn’t matter but you may have more in common then you think.
A totally enjoyable, different read. I can’t wait to read the other books I have by Ms. Lamb. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
“All About Evie” … so much love in this book! An Island where everyone watches out for each other, small-town love…also, deep passionate love, but Evie cannot act on that love because of her lifelong premonitions. She can’t risk it because of what she’s seen and knows will happen. She’s saved so many, now can she save herself? I want to read more from Cathy Lamb! 5 stars! – Green Gables Book Reviews
Evie has so many wonderful things in her life! She has her Mom and her free spirited Aunts that she loves so much. She has her soon-to-be-a-bride sister, Jules, she has her animals, and (swoon) their Vet, Marco, and the love of people in her town. She has her dream bookstore and is very successful. She is everyone’s friend.
Evie also has premonitions. These premonitions are something she has had since she was a child and she has saved many people from harm. Some of these times were big events, like running into the street to save a child from oncoming traffic, others were things no one knew she had a part in, like slashing bike tires to save someone from having a bike accident that day. Unfortunately, Evie has had two premonitions that have been with her for a long time. And, they haven’t happened yet. One of them has caused her life to be altered to save someone she loves and the other…she hates to even think about.
Evie’s sister, Jules, is so in love and so excited about her upcoming wedding, that her enthusiasm is contagious! So, when she comes with DNA tests, to find out more about their family’s past, what’s the big deal, right? Why are her Mom and Aunts acting so strange? When Evie’s results come back, everything starts to make sense, but nothing makes sense. What does this all mean and can she finally deal with the premonitions she’s had her whole life and the one’s she’s been waiting to happen?
5 stars!
This is the first story by this author I have read. It was a delight to read even though it was a heart breaker for Evie to find this out about her and what she thought was her family. The characters are wonderfully described, the storyline is perfectly written where it gets its point across but doesn’t drill it into the reader’s head. I was very impressed with this author. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
I expect amazing things from Cathy Lamb and this book did not disappoint! Lamb has crafted some of the most vibrant, intriguing characters I have ever come across– I dare you to read this and not want to share some pie with Evie, or spend a little time in her aunts’ greenhouse. A story of what truly makes a family, and what truly makes a person whole, All About Evie is filled with laughter, love, and a little mystery thrown in for good measure. I loved the alternating viewpoints from Evie and Betsy, and how seamlessly Lamb blended their stories together, without ever giving too much away or leaving too much in the air at one time. The mermaid story told by Evie’s father brought magic to her chapters, and I was battling tears by the end. The sheer number of animals (not to mention their names!) brought me immense joy throughout the entire book, and I was happy they were given as much attention as their human counterparts. I have never closed one of Lamb’s books without feeling spellbound and a little disappointed in the real world, and this was no exception. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for my advanced review copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
““You had one of your premonitions again, didn’t you, Evie?”
“I shook my head, sucking air in. “No. I don’t have premonitions.”
“I rolled my pretty gold eyes. “No, I can’t see the future.” Yes, I can.”
Yes, she can.
Evie has premonitions. Mostly about other people. And they drive her to do whatever it takes to stop what she sees from happening.
“All of my tiny criminal acts or legal interventions have been to slow someone down so that the premonition will pass them by. So many times in life an accident hits that if you waited one minute, one, it would have shot past you. I try to make that minute happen.
“That’s the curse of having premonitions: You know what’s upcoming for people. You may have to become a criminal momentarily to save them.” — Evie Lindsay
But there is one premonition that’s been dogging Evie since she was a small child. It’s about herself when she’s older. And includes one other woman. Problem with this one is that it’s slightly different each time she gets it. And it always ends in a haze, so she doesn’t really know how it ends. Is she about to find out?
Evie is surrounded by love, in the guise of a loving mother and two doting aunts who take it in turns to support without getting “sappy”. Surrounded by love and hats. Her mother and aunts are a hoot. I particularly love Aunt Iris, but all of Lamb’s characters are quirky and endearing; these are people you’ll love to spend time with!
Lamb introduces early on in the book the information that lies at the basis of this story. From that point forward, the reader is doubly invested in Evie’s story, trying to draw parallels and conclusions along the way.
All About Evie is littered with little buds of wisdom, mystical bon mots that had me stopping to really take in each message. I love it when a fictional work, meant to entertain, still can make me stop and think!
“You have to read in different genres. You have to keep learning and thinking and learning and thinking. How do you do that if you read in the same genre all the time? You can’t. It’s impossible.”
“Books should be read as regularly as one brushes one’s own teeth.”
I don’t usually write reviews that incorporate so much of the book itself, but with Evie’s story I just couldn’t help myself. The book almost demands that you become invested. It’s out today. You need to read it. I can’t say enough good things about this author and this her latest work!
[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and am leaving an honest review of the book. The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
What a gem of a book! Charming, funny and moving with a lovely and quirky cast of characters that had me laughing out loud. I always want Cathy Lamb’s characters to be real because I’d certainly want to hang out with them. I like the way CL sneaks in characters from previous books in her new stories, and I just really enjoy her writing style. And she always manages to get a few tears out of me, in this case the tear faucet came on full blast in one part. Oh my!! I absolutely adored this book and it will be going on my 2019 Favorite Books List.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
Cathy Lamb, Author of “All About Evie” has written an intriguing, intense, captivating, emotional, memorable and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, with some Mystery, Suspense, Humor, and Romance. The story takes place on “San Juan Islands’ where everyone seems to know everyone’s business. The story is set in the present and goes back to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex, quirky, eccentric and complicated.
Evie Lindsay has always had premonitions, and now as an adult, she is often capable of changing some things that might happen. There are other times, where she is forced to make a choice of what to do. Evie is successful in her book business, where she serves, cake, pie, and tea. She also keeps things on hand that her mother and aunts sell in her store. Having these premonitions causes Evie a tremendous amount of stress, and roses and other flowers seem to calm her. Evie is always asked if she can tell the future. Also, it is difficult to have a relationship with anyone, especially if you have premonitions.
Evie often wonders why she is the only one in the family to get these premonitions. Evie’s sister Jules is coming home to get married and wants the family to take DNA tests. Evie and Jules do, but their mother and aunts are terribly upset about this. Evie just has this feeling something is off, but no premonitions. The only recurring premonition Evie has is very frightening.
I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friends, community, loyalty, communication, seeking the truth, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this unique and thought-provoking story.
Cathy Lamb did a wonderful job with her latest book, All About Evie.
I loved the character of Evie and especially enjoyed her mother and aunts. They were always doing something that made me smile. Evie, dessert loving Evie with her fantastic way of turning even a decadent dessert into something healthy with a reason she needed to eat it for her health warmed my heart and made me feel like I’d met my doppelganger.
The story is pretty fast paced and pulled me in for a wonderful ride. I honestly never wanted this book to end. It was not only timely, with its use of DNA testing and the surprises that can sometimes come with that knowledge, but it had an unusual story line and fantastic characters.
Pick this book up if you want a great story filled with characters you will want to actually meet and a mystery filled with a great backstory. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing an ARC at my request. My thoughts are my own and freely given.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first Cathy Lamb book I’ve read and it was amazing! Evie and her family felt like my own family members. The plot of this book was unusual but very well written to make it a very enjoyable and entertaining read. I highly recommend this book! Enjoy!
An engaging story of Evie, who’s unsettled world has dominated her life, with premonitions that have haunted her since a child. She lives a quiet life on the beautiful San Juan islands, selling books, delicious baked goods and delightful items from her mother’s and aunt’s lovely gardens. She surrounds herself with her faithful animals and engaging neighbors, but forever noting an empty space in her heart, as if a piece is missing.
This novel is about love of family, the comfort and unconditional love of our furry family, the value of a good book and the enjoyment of a freshly baked pie or delectable pull of a moist gooey cake. I loved the descriptions of the gardens and flowers that surrounded her sweet carriage house and the quirky family members that are so entertaining. It all blends together and just made me smile, as well as created a craving for one of the delectable treats. The Veterinarian sounded as if he was worth a trip to his office with an ailing pup.
My thanks to #NetGalley, #Kensington Publishing and #Cathy Lamb for the ARC. All comments and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book, this is my honest opinion of the book.
I loved All About Evie by Cathy Lamb, all I can say is WOW! This was one of the best books i have read in a long time. I loved Evie what an awesome character she was, but i also hurt for her and the pain she endures during the book. I would love to live in that island community sounds like a fantastic place, with lots of amazing neighbors. This book was able to pull so many emotions from me, I laughed and I cried. I would certainly recommend this book to everyone.
Fun,quirky characters. Shorty is set in the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. (Sounds so beautiful I may have to add to my want to go to list) you will laugh with them, cry with them and just grow to love them. This book has something for everyone, family,romance,suspense, mystery and a big dose of caring and hope.
I really enjoyed this book, thank you to Net Galley and Cathy Lamb for sending me an ARC.
This review is totally my opinions.
Eleanor Oliphant meets Hocus Pocus = All About Evie. I loved everything about this book! From adorably quirky Evie to her eccentric, kooky aunts and mother, this book has mystery, laugh out loud moments and a bit of romance. Cathy Lamb has created such relatable characters that I wish they were my family! This is my first book by Cathy Lamb but I will definitely be reading her back list!
WTF In All The Best Ways. The marketing for this book is all “premonitions and DNA tests”, and honestly, while that certainly applies to the tale – premonitions play a central role in the two primary lives involved and there is indeed a DNA test that allows them to find each other – that aspect to the book is not so major as to warrant being the primary marketing focus, to my mind. Instead, this is a funny in an off beat kind of way (think: escaping goats and aunts who start a pot business to fund an Antarctic expedition) tale of a woman who has a full life yet is searching to find that one missing piece. The Beauty and the Beast allusions of the cover illustration are spot on, but again, a minor if recurring point. Overall a very strong book, but one that is quite a bit more humorous than the marketing and even cover may imply. Very much recommended.
“All About Evie” is one of those books that will make you laugh out loud one minute and ugly cry the next!
Cathy Lamb has a unique writing style. The story was both entertaining and intriguing. You can tell she really took her time in developing each of her characters.
Evie has had premonitions for as long as she can remember. Sometimes they are a blessing and other times they are a curse.
She lives with her mother and 3 aunt’s. They are a fun, colorful bunch! They are strong, independent, witty, hilarious and crazy; you can not help but fall in love with them all.
Evie loves books, she owns her own bookstore and she has a huge love for her pets. All 10 of them! The one thing I really loved was how each of her beloved pets played a roll in the story. I especially loved her cat, Garfield.
There are twists I did not see coming and Evie had some really tough decisions to make.
I was given this book by the author in for a fair and honest review
4 stars
I loved All About Evie by Cathy Lamb so very very much. I laughed, I cried, I was moved beyond measure. Evie is such a fantastic character! Haunted by premonitions, adored by her family, surrounded by her beloved animals, she is a bad ass woman who loves fiercely and protectively—and she loves cake and pie! I want to visit her bookstore so badly, have her feed me cake and pour me tea as she sells me books!! Besides Evie and her animals, the rest of the characters are quirky, adorable, and wonderful. Except for the bad guys—men who rule with fists and power and ego who bring an edge to this story which deals with abuse and misogyny and injustice. I’ve learned with Cathy’s books to expect the unexpected; I know that there will be hilarity and poignancy, that there will be achingly tender moments interspersed with moments of woe and even anger. All About Evie is all of those things, written in Cathy Lamb’s unique style and voice.
Oh my gosh…you can never go wrong with a Cathy Lamb novel! All About Evie is a superb novel that will make you laugh uproariously and maybe even cry a little too. This novel got me through some dark days. I always know I can count on Lamb to take my mind off of my problems. This novel drew me in and hooked me from the first page. Don’t miss out on this one!
This is the first book I have read by Cathy Lamb.
Evie is different, she has premonition about people getting hurt hand does what she can to change the outcome. She owns an independent bookstore in the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. Her mother, two aunts hand her sister are everything to her.
When Evie takes a DNA test her life is about to change forever.
A quirky book that I loved! Loved the characters band all the animals!
Laugh out loud moments, tears, some twists hand turns made this a very entertaining read.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Books hand Cathy Lamb for the opportunity to read this book.
What a fun quirky book! I loved all the characters and all her animals! Loved the fact that everyone knew about her premonitions and believed her. I thought this was a really good story! Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy. Definitely recommend
One more Fabulous novel by Cathy Lamb!
I was so absorbed in all these characters that I actually dreamt of them one night.
Evie has always been different. She sees and feels things nobody can imagine to be true.
UNTIL it is!
Only she has this sixth sense and it is lonely and causes anxiety and depression.
There is not another person in her family that has this ability and people think she is crazy. Is she?
AND then… When her sister Jules has them both take a DNA test to find out exactly their heritage, she learns that maybe there are other people who have this special sense; another entire family who is looking for her!
This is just a wonderful, amazingly beautiful story with family, friends, pets (lots of great pets) and some mystery that will quickly keep you glued to the pages. I laughed, cried ugly tears and truly loved every page!