From the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This comes an emotional and sharply witty novel about how life’s unexpected detours can ultimately bring you home.
For thirty years Liz has perfectly played the part of Mrs. Thomas Lightsey, exemplary pastor’s wife and mother. But maintaining appearances for the congregation and catering to her demanding husband takes a toll, and she’s lost … takes a toll, and she’s lost herself in meeting the expectations of others. When Thomas suddenly dies, Liz feels shock, grief, and, to her surprise, the siren song of freedom. Dare she dream of a life to call her own?
Despite the resistance of her daughter, Abigail, to even the smallest changes, Liz lands a role at the community theater. Inspired by new friends and the character she plays, she explores life’s possibilities, including an unexpected—and steamy—relationship with her leading man.
Just when Liz thinks she might be winning, life hits her with an unthinkable shock. She’s pregnant at forty-nine. Torn between conflicting loyalties to her daughter, her lover, her unborn baby, and herself, can Liz find a way to rebuild her dream life one more time?
more
Having allowed herself to be subjugated by an over-bearing husband for the duration of her marriage, many women will relate to the predicament of Liz. When he dies, a new world opens the door allowing a peek into the possibility for an exciting and soul-enriching life.
Next, enter their daughter. In a unique and fascinating twist, she takes the reins from her departed dad, and tries breaking her mother–once again–into submission.
A mid-life coming of age, this is a book that will be chewed over in book clubs, adored by fans of King and inspirational for those of us who need a reminder that just because a door is closed, it doesn’t mean it’s locked.
This is the 1st audio book I have listened to. I have tried in the past but just couldn’t listen. I guess I just didn’t have the right book. I couldn’t stop listening to this from the beginning. It was a wonderful “read”. Elizabeth was married to an over-bearing preacher. She tried to retain some of her old self, Liz, by writing in a journal. When her husband dies of a heart attack she can now move on with her life, or can she? She decides to audition for a role in the community theater and is successful. This role leads her to finding love again. This is about 2nd chances with wonderful characters that you will just love and not stop listening or reading.
5* Second Time Around Stars
This book was so beautifully written and heartfelt. Once I started the story of Liz I could not put the book down, I had to know the path her life would take. This is such a real and emotionally driven story. When a second chance at love and happiness presents itself unexpectedly, Liz has to learn to let go of the past and follow her heart.
The secondary characters in the book were quirky and loveable and were all pivotal to Liz’s journey of moving ahead and taking charge of her new life.
I loved every word read and all the feels this book provided.
This is an adult ‘coming of age’ story. Liz, the main character is 49 years old but she hasn’t been able to be ‘herself’ since she got married 26 years earlier to a man who controlled her life. He was a preacher and the head of the household in every way – he told her how to dress, how to act as a preacher’s wife and how to raise their only child. He believed that man was the head of the household and that women were only put on earth to serve their husband. When he dies of a sudden heart attack she gradually begins to take her life back and to find the ‘inner Liz’ – the person she always wanted to be.
Liz is one of my favorite characters in a long time. I loved the way she began to open up her life and the fact that she was willing to try a lot of new things even though her husband’s voice in her mind kept degrading her. I loved seeing the changes that Liz made in her life and I was on her side as she faced the challenges that she was presented with. She was stronger than she gave herself credit for. This is a wonderful story about hope and self-discovery, family and love and breaking out of the bonds that have held you back. It’s a very well-written story with very real – flaws and all – characters who you really care about. It was great to see Liz break out of the life that was forced on her and learning to love and respect herself again. It’s Kerry Anne King at her best.
I won this book in a giveaway on Facebook. Kerry Ann King is one of my favorite writers!! I loved the characters and the nonstop action! Sometimes people lose who there are in a relationship and that was Elizabeth. When her husband Thomas dies she tries to find her old self and looses her daughter in the process and becomes pregnant at the age of 49. I would recommend you read this book, you won’t regret it!!
My review of A Borrowed Life by Kerry Anne King
Wow, I couldn’t put this book down! Kerry Anne King wrote another story so full of life, with realism that I found to be uncanny at times. You know you’re reading a great story when you catch yourself expressing your feelings out loud. I swore, I gasped, and I cried! Although Liz doubts herself, she is also a brave woman who confidently spreads her wings. I highly recommend A Borrowed Life by Kerry Anne King. (Kerry Schafer)
Excellent, as usual!
Wonderful characters living and describing tough situations, truthfully and honestly. If you’ve lived it you will see it. Excellent handling of some very difficult subjects.
A borrowed life will leave you questioning your life, the choices you have made and whether you are really happy, but it will also inspire you to change the items you are not happy with; Liz shows you are never too old and it’s never too late to say yes to the life you have always dreamed of having. I loved this story from the first page. King does an amazing job at creating complex characters that make you think, putting yourself in their shoes to understand why they act the way they do. I highly recommend this read to everyone, you will definitely not be disappointed. It was a one sit read for me, keeping me on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all turn out.
At 49, Elizabeth is lost. At 50, Liz finds herself. Young Elizabeth is like a lot of young girls, bad home life, looking for a better way and falls in love with Thomas, a young fire and brimstone preacher. They marry and he molds her into the type of preacher’s wife he thinks is appropriate. She goes along with this willingly, until one day her life changes in the blink of an eye. She finds her voice, rebels, returns to something she loves and finds a love and life different than she could have ever imagined.
A nice love story of an older women going from one extreme in her life to another. You slowly watch Liz change in the span of a year to the women she was always wanted to be. Story is predictable, but enjoyable. Cast of characters are what you would expect to find in a small town, groups separated by differences but in the end willing to come together to support someone they love. The church group is judgmental, holier than thou. Unfortunately, I’ve known people exactly like this. Fortunately, I’ve also know people nothing like this! Writing is good and story develops at a nice pace. Characters are brought to life, flaws and all. Enjoyable story, quick read.
Thanks to Ms. King, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
Everyone should read
I loved the transformation that Liz made in this story. I wanted her to slap her daughter a few times but she handled it better than I probably would have. The book told a somewhat tragic story while managing to make me laugh at some of Liz’s antics in an effort to find who she was supposed to be. She had a very eclectic group of friends that added so much to the story. The story flowed so well that I just couldn’t stop. I highly recommend and can’t wait to read more from this author.
What a great story! I was drawn into Liz’s story and her struggle to separate Liz from Elizabeth and to help her daughter out from under the restrictions of her upbringing. Lance is a bit of a mystery and Liz’s new friends are a kick in the pants. The story was really a wild ride, but the transformation of the main characters was both believable and beautiful. I would highly recommend this book.
A Borrowed Life is a wonderful book about family relationships between spouses and parent/child. It caused me to reflect on my own relationships, laugh and cry. Some of the relationships were restrictive due to other’s expectations which caused Liz to forgo what she wanted for herself. Some relationships were supportive allowing Liz to change and grow.
Overall A Borrowed Life is well written with a storyline to draw you in. I am looking forward to reading additional books by Kerry Anne King.
This was just what I needed right now. A great book that made me laugh out loud many times. Of course it also made me cry, get angry and want to strangle a certain person or persons. But overall it was the perfect read for me right now. Kerry Anne King is such an amazing author.
This is one book that will make you feel many emotions. I laughed so hard at Liz and Val and most of the church ladies. Liz and Val are the best of friends and the antics they get into are priceless. The things that Val does to help Liz cope during the loss of Thomas. Thomas is Val’s husband and I very much disliked that man. He’s the preacher in the town and died of a heart attack. You’ll learn a lot about him and it’s not good.
Abigail is Liz’s daughter. Another person that I couldn’t stand. She was very childish and overbearing and down right ugly to her mother. And that she called her “mother” made my skin crawl. The way she said it. The condescending way she treated her mom after the loss of Thomas. She was just picking up basically where Thomas stopped when he dropped dead. She took it upon herself to be the ruler of the house and dictate what her mom could and could not do. I really did not like her.
Lance.. I loved him up to a point. After I heard his story I got over my dislike for him and was a huge fan. He’s wonderful and scared and it’s so understandable after hearing his story. He’s got a lot of patience, I have to give him that. At least later in the story he does. At first he is very sexy and will make you love him. Then he turns into a first rate jerk and you will hate him. But he’s ok. He really is.
This story will grab ahold of you and pull you in hard and fast. It’s so good. It’s the best of it’s kind I have read. I usually read thrillers. This book has so many feels to it. It makes you feel like you are right there. From the community play to the countryside. When Liz decides to take back her life you will most certainly root for her. I sure did. I said to myself many times, “you go girl.” Have the life you’ve been denied for twenty-six years. Get out and enjoy. Have fun. Get to know YOU!
This is such a good book. You will treasure each part of this story. From the very beginning to the last page. Throw in a few tears of joy and it’s really a perfect book.
Thank you #NetGalley, #LakeUnion, #KerryAnneKing, #ABorrowedLife for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
5/5 stars and a very high recommendation! A must read.
I absolutely loved this book! It was great to read a novel with a main character who is a woman of a certain age instead of a millennial. There were some moments that made me laugh and those that made me cry. A Borrowed Life was such an uplifting book and I highly recommend it.
A Borrowed Life is a title that leaves you thinking and evaluating choices you’ve made or may yet need to make. The author has the ability to reach inside the reader and pluck at the heartstrings. King excels at portraying a strong woman’s character and fortitude. This book illustrates that so well.
This book was so good! It starts with Liz after her husband dies and moves forward as she finds her way. There’s a lot of family trauma and past hurts found out. You go from outrage to happiness. I really enjoyed the book, I couldn’t put it down. Definitely recommend
I loved this book. The story brings you in and keeps you there from the beginning to the end…Another great book by Kerry Ann King!
Kerry Anne King specializes in novel’s about women on journeys of self-discovery and growth, and this one fits that description perfectly.
Liz has played the role of perfect wife for two decades, but when her husband, a pastor, suddenly dies, she finds herself single again in her almost-fifites, and surprised that what she feels instead of just grief, is relief, to finally be able to live life on her own terms.
But does she even know what those terms are? What type of life she really wants? And why does she feel like she’s acting out more like a teenager than a grown woman?
I loved how this novel tackled the question of what do we do when life’s doors are flung wide open and we aren’t sure what direction to go with our new freedom. And how do we reconcile the decisions we made about how to be in the past, with who can now become for the future?
A fun and fulfilling read that you won’t soon forget.
This was the perfect book at the perfect time! I have been in a bit of a reading slump and this book was just what I needed to help push me out of it!
Outer Liz is living a perfectly structured and organized life. Her routine never varies, she does the same thing day after day. Inner Liz has been bottled up and hidden for so many years she can barely remember who she used to be. All of that is about to change and everyone will not be so accepting!
I thoroughly enjoyed watching inner Liz blossom to outer Liz! Breaking the routine, scribbling outside the lines, and listening to the little voice in her head. Defying what she has been told for years was not easy, but incredibly inspirational to watch.
The colorful cast of characters was fantastic! I love the clash of the church woman vs. the theater group. I laughed and even got a little teary eyed towards the end.
This is my second book by Kerry Anne King and my favorite so far. It is a fun, uplifting read that I hope I have inspired you to pick up!
TRIUMPHANT! A Borrowed Life by Kerry Anne King was engaging, emotional and triumphant. I totally loved this book. It’s about time I finally read a book by this author because checking my library, I have five books by her and this one was my first read by her. I don’t know what to me so long!
Her characters were so well developed. Liz had to be the most difficult to write. She was a suffocated wife to a pastor and suddenly widowed. I could identify with her because I left home when I married and was suddenly widowed myself. I experienced the same feelings she did of having a life with endless possibilities and being a little paralyzed by it. I loved how the author developed her character along the way. Lance was another character that changed a lot during the story along with her daughter Abigail. Just like real life, it changes you.
If you love stories with a little religion, great characters with a love story to tell, you will want to pick up a copy of A Borrowed Life. I highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for a fair and honest review. Thank you!