A review by tctimlin
The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick

adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I totally enjoyed this story of middle-aged, middle-class Liv, mother of two, financially strapped, cleaning houses while escaping through contemporary chick lit (she mentions lots of popular authors/books).  Her favorite job is cleaning for her favorite author, the recluse Essie Starling, who is always kind to Liv even though she is difficult with everyone else.  When the author dies, Liv is tasked with finishing her unfinished novel, and as she attempts to figure out who Essie would have cast as her “hero” she ends up exploring Essie’s mysterious past, and learning a great deal about herself along the way.  Sometimes you have to learn to be the hero in your own life.
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