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A review by mishale1
In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Emme has never had a family before. She was raised by a single mother who used Emme’s talent of reading people as a way to decide who to con. One of the worst things Emme’s mom did was keeping her away from her dad’s side of the family. Emme’s estranged grandmother Glory made it her personal mission to find Emme and she finally has.
Emme jumps at the chance to become part of Glory’s family. Emme’s background is so heartbreaking. There’s so much sadness in her past and she’s had a rough life. I keep thinking about how she drinks coffee black entirely because she can’t afford coffee creamer. And believe me, that’s a drop in the bucket in Emme’s story. She has the biggest heart and she wants the love of family so badly.
Cora Bee is Glory’s niece. Cora Bee is the grand daughter of Glory’s sister who disappeared mysteriously decades ago. This book begins when a body is found in a garden and everyone, except Glory, wonders whether it will solve the mystery.
Back to Cora Bee. Cora Bee tries to keep new people at a distance because of her own heartbreak. Her last relationship devastated her in a way that she’s still trying to heal from.
There’s a good bit of magic in this story too. I appreciate how this author includes magical realism in her books since that’s my favorite genre. Essentially this book is about three women, Glory, Emme and Cora Bee, but the magical elements are important too. Everyone in the family has some magic in them.
I thought this was a beautiful story and the characters were so lovable and felt so real. As far as my own personal bias, I wish this book was less sad. There were so many sad elements to it. And when you love the characters so much that they feel real their sadness feels even heavier. I look forward to the author’s next book but I hope it’s a little lighter.
Emme jumps at the chance to become part of Glory’s family. Emme’s background is so heartbreaking. There’s so much sadness in her past and she’s had a rough life. I keep thinking about how she drinks coffee black entirely because she can’t afford coffee creamer. And believe me, that’s a drop in the bucket in Emme’s story. She has the biggest heart and she wants the love of family so badly.
Cora Bee is Glory’s niece. Cora Bee is the grand daughter of Glory’s sister who disappeared mysteriously decades ago. This book begins when a body is found in a garden and everyone, except Glory, wonders whether it will solve the mystery.
Back to Cora Bee. Cora Bee tries to keep new people at a distance because of her own heartbreak. Her last relationship devastated her in a way that she’s still trying to heal from.
There’s a good bit of magic in this story too. I appreciate how this author includes magical realism in her books since that’s my favorite genre. Essentially this book is about three women, Glory, Emme and Cora Bee, but the magical elements are important too. Everyone in the family has some magic in them.
I thought this was a beautiful story and the characters were so lovable and felt so real. As far as my own personal bias, I wish this book was less sad. There were so many sad elements to it. And when you love the characters so much that they feel real their sadness feels even heavier. I look forward to the author’s next book but I hope it’s a little lighter.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, and Death