The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don’t they teach you anything at school? So says 104-year-old Ona to the 11-year-old boy who’s been sent to help her out every Saturday morning. As he refills the bird feeders and tidies the garden shed, Ona tells him about her long life, from first love to second chances. Soon she’s confessing secrets she has kept hidden for decades. One … hidden for decades.
One Saturday, the boy doesn’t show up. Ona starts to think he’s not so special after all, but then his father arrives on her doorstep, determined to finish his son’s good deed. The boy’s mother is not so far behind. Ona is set to discover that the world can surprise us at any age, and that sometimes sharing a loss is the only way to find ourselves again.
“Readers won’t be able to resist falling for Ona … The conclusion will leave them smiling through their tears.”—Shelf Awareness
“Poignant … There is much to enjoy in this heartfelt tale of love, loss, and friendship.”—Express
“A must-read book … Whimsical and bittersweet.”—Good Housekeeping
more
I wasn’t sure I would like this book after reading the description, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. I was also afraid that it would be too sad for my still-raging post-partum hormones, but while heartbreaking, the way the author introduced the characters (informing the reader of an untimely death prior to letting them get attached to a character) really kept it bearable and made it easier to enjoy the book. It also helped that she never told the story from the grieving mother’s point of view. I definitely fell in love with some of the characters in this book and very much enjoyed reading about their developing relationships. This was very different from my usual read, and I’m very happy that I branched out and gave it a shot. Very enjoyable read. 5 stars.
A sweet story , sometimes a bit too back-and-forthy, but I’d recommend it.
I enjoyed this book, we don’t always realize how we impact others and how others impact our lives.
Highly recommend
once in a while a book comes along that takes you from the first page and runs away with you.
This book should be a sad book, but instead it shows you what love can do, no matter how old you are. The 104 year old woman who stars in this book inspired me to be a more open person. The story of how this one special boy impacted her life and in turn those that loved him is more than special.
If you can only read one book this year, I implore you to read this one…you will never look at an old person the same….we can all learn each and every day we are alive.
This is the best book I’ve ever read. Sweet and tender and every character is worth knowing. There is such inspiration around the sad event, the story itself is more heartwarming instead of sad.
Loved, Loved, Loved this book!! The characters are Wonderful and I found myself rereading sentences because they were so good. I was so impressed with the unique writing style too. I’ve recommended this book to many friends and family.
Loved this story about a quirky young boy’s friendship with an elderly woman.
Will be with you long after you have read the last sentence.
Lovely story- very engaging .
covered human frailty and the need to repent by giving back, It was a sad story but also redeeming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fairly quick read. The relationships woven were believable and gratifying
Wonderful characters and story. Loved it!
Wish I knew how to give 4.5 stars. Loved the first and final thirds, a bit slow in the middle. The characters felt like real people with real life quandaries. Nothing hokey or Hollywood about it. Really enjoyed reading and the last third I always wnted to keep going, but stopped at times so that I could have more to read later.
A delightful book. Why do I say that? Because I want to know all of these people! Look elsewhere for a synopsis. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and appreciated the unusual structure of relevant (and not relevant) world records and one-sided interviews. The characters in the book seem very genuine to me, with all their wonderful qualities and human flaws.
I gave this book 5 stars, because I absolutely loved every minute of it! I hate when you read a book you are enjoying and the ending is not satisfying. Not so with this book. When it was over I felt so satisfied.I also hate a pat ending when everything is so very happily ever after. Again, not so with this book. The ending was bittersweet and I had a good cry with a smile on my face.
I loved, loved, loved this book! I’ll leave it to others for the overview, but I didn’t not want this book to end. Highly recommend!
I didn’t think I would like this book after I read the first chapter, but I read through it and wound up loving it. It was heart breaking in places, but also uplifting. Watching the father’s journey was interesting, and I loved the ending even though it made me cry when I found out what the boy was doing that morning.
I got the feeling that I know all of these wacky whimsical characters and the situations in which they find themselves. The autistic boy. His overfocused dad. The unfocused sad Mom. The 104 year old lady living alone. Each has his own perspective and they all move the story along in unexpected ways. I loved this book.
I love when authors take characters on a journey and Wood does exactly that in this book. Every main character is touched, moved, changed, propelled forward in this heart-warming story. I originally read it in ebook form and had to purchase the paperback for my permanent books-on-the-shelf collection. I will read this again!