Customer Reviews

Come Walk with Me

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book begins as the story of Claire Bennett's struggle to cope with being her own person after the sudden death of her husband, Phillip. Since Claire had always defined herself by the successes of her husband, his death left her without purpose. In fact, denial, numbness, and shock were her only companions although she had two grown children who needed her to talk with them and allow them to grieve with her. Claire, however, chose to withdraw from life and became estranged from her children - leaving herself (and them) completely alone. Because of this, misunderstandings and guilt pushed Claire and her children even farther from each other.

A long time after Phillip's death, Claire finally sought professional help, which did not last long because she could not bring herself to talk about Phillip's death with her therapist any more than she could talk about it with her children. Thinking she could make a new start on her own in a new environment, Claire made the first of many wrong decisions with a move to Boca Raton, Florida. She knew exactly what she wanted to find there - a new man with whom to connect and again find self-worth. The only criteria she sought in a man was that he be successful in a business that she could help him with.

After moving from her home in the Hamptons to a condominium in Boca Raton, Claire's life began a downward spiral. Her lifestyle in Boca Raton became a bit promiscuous and one unfortunate date with a man she had barely met resulted in real danger to her. A positive affect of this encounter was that it made Claire understand just how naïve and friendless she was in her new surroundings. With that realization, Claire decided to leave Boca Raton. Since she had recently received an unexpected invitation to her daughter's wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Claire decided to go there and try to reconnect with her children. In this beautiful setting on a tiny farm, Claire finally faces some hard (but genuine) realities about herself and is able to find the joy that has always been missing from her life. There is a beautiful scene near the middle of the book where Claire emerged from her car after the long drive to North Carolina and began to dance in a meadow. This scene gave the reader their first glimpse into Claire's soul and the woman she truly was.

***** This book ends as a story of rebirth, courage, and hope and it is beautifully written. It is also the story of many women who think they are nothing without a man. Joan Medlicott reaches into the depths of her character's soul to expose some hard truths in this novel - truths that can ultimately become a beacon to serve as a guide for numerous women to follow.

Bravo, Joan, you've done it again! I would love a sequel to this story! *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson of Huntress Reviews.

I read all of Joan Medlicott's books. I thoroughly enjoy her characters and am always sorry when the book is finished. She has great character development and I always wait impatiently for her next book. I like that she also sends a monthly newsletter to me about her activities. The first time that I visited her website, it had info about women who might like to share living quarters in their later years. What a great idea.

Claire Bennett is living a very empty life. Recently widowed, she has lost interest in the business that she and her huband built together, and she feels alienated from her children. She decides that the answer is to find another man to marry. She moves to Florida in search of her dream, and then heads for her daughter's in North Carolina where the daughter will soon be married. She dreads facing her children who still harbor resentments over an unhappy childhood, and is still undecided as to where she will live. This book touches on themes which run through all of Joan Medlicott's writing--empowerment for women who have subjugated their desires for the men in their lives, and alienation from adult children. As in her other books, this one is set against the beautiful background of North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is an enjoyable and recommended read.

I loved the Covington series but did not enjoy this book at all. I found it to move slowly and a bit sporadically. Granted she (the main character)found herself at the end but I had a hard time believing the choices she made before that. I found myself saying "where did that come from?" and wanted to skip pages - which I normally do not want to do with Medlicott's books.

When Phillip Bennett died, his beloved wife Claire thought her world was over. Eighteen months later even with seeing a shrink Dr. Delanny, she remains lifeless. Their antiques business no longer matters and their East Hampton home feels empty.

Needing a new start, Claire leaves for Florida, but still finds nothing fulfilling. When her daughter Mandy asks Claire to come visit her, her fiancé Tom and her future father-in-law Larry Harden in Weaverville, North Caroline, Claire decides to do so as she hopes to reconnect with her offspring and her son Paul; ever since her other son Terrence died in an accident, she has felt estranged from her children. However, she must reach out to them if she wants them to reach out to her; something she desperately wants to do, but is afraid to take that first step.

Though not Covington even if the family tension mostly occurs in North Carolina, Joan Medlicott provides a warm family drama starring fully developed individuals especially the lead character. Claire has a second chance with her children, but will she take the opportunity because the risk of rejection may be more costly than the status quo. Fans of Ms. Medlicott who rival those of Dean Smith in intensity will enjoy her deep character study of a middle aged widow struggling with life almost two years after the death of her husband.

Harriet Klausner

I almost put the book down at several points since the lead character seems to be so wimpy and feels she can't "live without a man". This character is so different from most of the ladies in the Covington books (which I love) who are strong and independent people. Perhaps the main character feels that way because she is a bit younger than the women in Covington. The book did continue on to a somewhat satifactory ending----but I just have a hard time understanding women who "can't live without a man". Unless a woman has no financial support and needs a man for that reason, I just can't comprehend this kind of thinking---although I see it among some women in my mother's retirement village. They can't wait to descend upon a new resident bachelor or windower. After a certain age----be strong and independent. Enjoy social times with girlfriends and men-friends who are not being eyed as possible husbands.

This book did not appeal to me because of so many negative experiences that the featured woman had. When finally something postive happened at the end the story came to an abrupt halt. I realize that life is full of bad choices and negative experiences but I personally would have certainly enjoyed more details of the postive experience that finally came. I would not recommend this novel as a heart-warming/feel good read and wished that I had not wasted my time on it.

I really enjoyed Come walk with me. This is the 1st book I have read of Joan Medlicott but I intend to read her others. I liked the characters in the story and I enjoyed that the story just flowed. It held my attention and I kept wanting to continue reading to the end. I was disappointed only in the fact that she led you right up to the courship that you have been waiting for and then skips it and goes to the deeper part of the relationship. Still enjoyed it very much.

I have read all of Joan's Book and I love them all. It is time there were some good books for mature woman. Claire is not always easy to like, but though I don't have her money, I understood her. Wonderful story!

Claire Bennett is a very interesting lady for sure! This is another of Joan Medlicott's books to please the older gals for sure. It's a little romance and a little free spirited adventure that is quite different than the Covington book series Ms Medlicott writes. She has such a kind gentle way of telling a story and the descriptive is so good you think you are there too. Her ability to place surprise characters and situations into the story line always amuses me and I often wonder .... "has she met someone just like that and had that happen to her or one of her friends?". This is a very good story and deserves more telling. I sure hope JM writes a sequel to it. I will be following it for sure!