Critically acclaimed author Julie Lawson Timmer returns with a tale of how community can heal the brokenness in all of us.
Markie, a fortysomething divorcée who has suffered a humiliating and very public fall from marital, financial, and professional grace, moves, along with her teenage son, Jesse, to a new town, hoping to lick her wounds in private. But Markie and Jesse are unable to escape the … unable to escape the attention of their new neighbor Mrs. Saint, an irascible, elderly New European woman who takes it upon herself, along with her ragtag group of “defectives,” to identify and fix the flaws in those around her, whether they want her to or not.
What Markie doesn’t realize is that Mrs. Saint has big plans for the divorcée’s broken spirit. Soon, the quirky yet endearing woman recruits Markie to join her eccentric community, a world where both hidden truths and hope unite them. But when Mrs. Saint’s own secrets threaten to unravel their fragile web of healing, it’s up to Markie to mend these wounds and usher in a new era for the “defectives”—one full of second chances and happiness.
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If you’re looking for a book about do-overs with positive outcomes, MRS. SAINT AND THE DEFECTIVES is for you. Not only was it uplifting, I learned about Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France. Residents have been primarily Huguenot or Protestant since the 17th century. During World War II residents made the commune a haven for Jews fleeing from the Nazis. They hid them within the town and countryside and helped them flee to neutral Switzerland.
Sometimes, life sends us spiraling in directions we never wanted to go. A death in the family, a natural disaster, or a devastating divorce. And more than the actual event, it’s the resulting fallout that keeps the spiral going until we either grab on to something to stop the inevitable descent into despair, or we simply let go.
The author deftly covers this theme—and much more—in Mrs. Saint and the Defectives. As the journey of the protagonist, Markie, and her son, Jesse, unfolds, we come to learn that, generally, people are broken. Some in little ways and some to the point of near self-destruction.
I’m torn, this book was really interesting. Main character was a little annoying to me, but then to see how the book ends up, I kind of came around. I prefer strong female characters and she was a little too whiny for me, but I’m glad I stuck with this as the end was more educational but an interesting plot twist.
Issues with the time line. Can’t believe no one checked to make sure all the dates played out correctly. Also the mom (Markie) was insufferable for the first half of the book. Page after page of self loathing. Also the ending came on super quick and seemed like the author was in a hurry to get to an ending. Disappointing.
Mrs Saint is a lovely original and how she survives, –survived –and carries the people in her life is a life lesson. It is hard sometimes in the midst of our own catastrophes to imagine we would ever live happily again. Mrs Saint and her ‘rules’ help others in her reach put one foot in front of another, day by day, until they can breathe, see, dream, and help others again. Lovely book.
This story is about Markie, a woman whose life gets turned upside down and she and her teenage son need to figure out how to carry on. When she moves into a house, she meets her neighbor, Mrs. Saint who has no problem telling her just how to live her life. Markie has been told all her life that she is doing things wrong, or not good enough. She just wants to be left alone. But Mrs Saint has other ideas. This book is full of quirky characters, and surprises about their lives. It’s also a story of a woman finding her self confidence, building a relationship with her son and learning to deal with her overbearing parents and man- child ex-husband. A fun, inspiring read.
Light reading, Loved it.
This book reminded me of A Man Called Ove–but in reverse. It is fun, but makes you think about your own life and choices.
A sweet story of a meddling neighbor who befriends a divorcee and her teenaged son. Light and funny with a little twist.
Mrs. Saint is no saint even though she has a giving heart. Learning more about the characters is like peeling an onion. The characters have unexpected depth.
Good book. Got a little repetitive in the narration, but enjoyed it.
Could not get into this book and stopped reading after about 20%
Ridiculous story. Unbelievable characters
A very unusual book. I loved it.
I wanted to like this. The premise seemed like it would be a fun read. Unfortunately I couldn’t get much further than about halfway through chapter three. While for some it probably wouldn’t be an issue. For me the French language is messing with my flow of reading. Because I need to translate them so I can understand what the lady is saying.
The details are exquisite from the very beginning of this book. You know the characters and you know for the most part what is going on. There are mysteries that aren’t revealed until the end of the book. Unfortunately, it seems as if the author was rushed toward the end. All the dramatic wrap-up stuff is presented abruptly. A very good read.
A unique story and an enjoyable read with secrets, lies and lots of heart. If you like quirky characters and tortured family dynamics, you’ll love Lawson Timber’s latest creation.
Rating: MA
Some language
Adult situations
Markie, newly divorced from her cheating husband, wants to disappear from “society” in her home town so moves to a new town with her teenage son and takes a stay-at-home job. All she wants is to be left alone.
Enter Mrs. Saint, Markie’s new next door neighbor. Is she an angel unawares or the worst kind of manipulative busybody? Let’s not forget the group of people who live with her or work for her. All of them clearly have problems of one kind or another. In fact, some of them, including Mrs. Saint, are downright weird.
Markie would like to move, but has a lease that she cannot afford to break, so she tolerates what she considers to be the carnival next door, and forbids her son to interact with them – for his own protection and to keep them out of her house. You can imagine how well that works out.
Enough from me – YOU read it.
Highly HIGHLY recommended.
I connected with every character.
Filled with great characters! Very enjoyable.