Sunday 13 October 2013

BOOK OF THE DAY: Whole Latte Life by Joanne DeMaio

by Joanne DeMaio





BOOK DESCRIPTION
Would you leave everything behind to know who you are?

Sara Beth Riley never dreamt she'd walk straight out of her life. Actually she'd never dreamt a lot of things that had happened this year ... From being kidnapped by her own best friend, to throwing her wedding rings into the Hudson River, to calling an old love in France, to getting inked with said best friend, painting the passionate constellation of these choices into permanence. But mostly, she could never have dreamt what started it all. How could it be that her mother's unexpected death, and the grief which lingered painfully long, turned her into the woman she was finally meant to become?

Sara Beth's escape begins a summer of change - of herself, of marriage, of the lives of those around her. In a story that moves from Manhattan to the sea to a quaint New England town, WHOLE LATTE LIFE looks at friends we never forget, at decisions we linger with, at our attempts to live the lives we love.

AUTHOR BIO



Joanne DeMaio is an award-winning author of contemporary fiction. Her bestselling novel WHOLE LATTE LIFE won First Place in the 2012 Discovery Awards and was selected by Kirkus Reviews as a Critics' Pick. It has been featured in USA Today, The Huffington Post, Mediabistro's GalleyCat and other outlets. Joanne's music essays have appeared in literary journals, celebrating her passion for song. She lives with her family in Connecticut and is currently at work on her next novel. To learn more, visit Joannedemaio.com.

REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story of loyalty and friends March 26, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Wishes are a mystery to me. It's like putting your hope out there, opening a part of your heart to the constellations."

Friends since childhood, Sara Beth Riley and Rachel DeMartino meet regularly over coffee in their picturesque Connecticut hometown. They plan a Girls Weekend in New York City to spend their fortieth birthdays together. When Sara Beth walks out of a restaurant leaving behind only a note, the perplexed and overwrought Rachel searches Manhattan for her missing friend.

Sara Beth seeks a few days of freedom. She tries to cope with an unplanned child, the unexpected death of her mother and the indefinite postponement of her antique shop dreams. Struggling to reclaim her sense of self in a seemingly idyllic life, she runs away. She loses grip on her marriage, her three kids, and her best friend in a desperate attempt to regain balance and clarity.

Rachel also hopes the weekend will heal old wounds. The outing replaces the birthday trip her husband planned before his death two years ago. Widowed and her daughter away at college, her friend's desertion leaves Rachel worried, confused and alone. When a mounted officer offers her company in the city, she faces more uncharted territory.

Rachel and Sara Beth are highly relatable and complex women facing unforeseen and life-altering challenges. Told from the perspective of four characters, their stories wind through their small town, Manhattan, and a seaside retreat on Long Island.
DeMaio's lyrical language, combined with her exploration of the lingering power of our expectations and our choices, create an inspiring novel of love and loyalty--loyalty to mothers, to spouses, to traditions, and to friends. Whole Latte Life is a beautifully articulated story of loss and redemption, lasting connections and unconditional love. Whole Latte Life offers beach lovers, stargazers and girlfriends a warm story to share at a favorite café.

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