As children, Frankie Cavalese and Callie Mason were the very best of friends, growing up together on opposite walls of a row home in a blue-collar neighborhood of Philadelphia called Rainytown. The friendship they shared was special — the kind that storybook heroines had — and neither ever considered the possibility of it not lasting forever. But after high school, life interfered and … circumstances separated them as they each went on to live drastically different lives.
Twenty-three years later, one hot Rainytown summer, the lives of these women come crashing back together. To complicate the fragile reunion, Callie’s marriage is suddenly at risk, further complicated by the affections of (and attraction to) Frankie’s brother, Paulie. Tensions and passions explode in the sweltering heat, and amid pain and tragedy, each woman not only ends up with a life-altering secret regarding the other, but the burning question of what to do with what she knows.
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“Crooked Moon” is a wonderful depiction of childhood friends who grow up and move in two totally opposite directions with their lives. This story then asks the question “Can the friendship survive?” Throughout this engaging tale of joys, heartbreaks, and friendship re-kindled, we’re not quite sure what the answer will be until almost the last page. Main character Frankie is over forty years old and still lives in her impoverished childhood home with a dying mother. The other main character, Callie, is a college graduate who happily married her dream man, moved to upper class suburbia, and has raised two college-bound children. But as different as these two lives are, there are a lot of bonds that still hold tight between them that cannot be broken (or forgotten) by time or circumstance. Unfortunately (but oh so realistically) guilt, stubbornness, pride, and fear all take a toll in this scenario, especially when old secrets resurface with the death of Frankie’s mother. The author does a magnificent job of grabbing our attention and not allowing it to waver as we follow the story and witness these two women struggling to re-connect, and then stay connected. True-to-life dialogue and brilliant plot development both keep readers fully immersed in this often touching tale to the very end. A highly praised and highly recommended read!
This book got to me completely, it is so beautifully written that I felt very much a part of this story.
The book is based around the friendship of two girls; Frankie Cavalese and Callie Mason. I truly felt for Frankie, as she gave up everything to look after her sick ma, and could not help but be carried away by the strength of character that Lisette Brodey portrayed in Frankie. Frankie has a big heart, big enough to accept and forgive Callie’s 23-year gap in their friendship.
This book will take you on a wonderful journey. It hits you hard when you look at the girl’s backgrounds and how different they are. But this is where Lisette excels, because life really is like this, and we all make mistakes. I shred quite a few tears as the girl’s friendship reignited, and Frankie’s ma’s health began to deteriorate. These chapters have been so carefully constructed that I felt as though I was both Callie and Frankie and that no matter what happens friendship will get them through this sad time. As I turn the pages I begin think…… “have I been too hasty here……?”
The book is shrouded in secrets, that have taken too long to come out. And as you read, you will want to know what these secrets are. But be careful, because these secrets are explosive, not only for the reader but for both Callie and Frankie. And it is Callie and Frankie that will keep you turning the pages. You will want them to be happy, to stay together. But is that possible given everything you have learnt? And on that note, I will say no more on this subject, because you will need to discover this for yourself.
Before picking up this book, you need to be prepared to let your emotional side out. It is a book that is going to make you feel warm inside, make you smile, laugh, and cry. And when you have felt all of these things, then you will know you have not only read a great book but that it is the author, Lisette Brodey that took you on this immense journey, as only the very best of authors can.