House and Home (Hardcover)

~ Kathleen Mccleary (Author)
Key Phrases: baby beeper, vanilla latte, Jeffrey Boyce, Grace Lane, Tall Vanilla Latte (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After initiating a separation from her husband—whose repellently named invention, the splotch-catching hot dog diaper, has bankrupted them—Ellen Flanagan, faced with supporting two young daughters, makes the levelheaded decision to sell the family home in the suburbs of Portland, Ore., to pay off debts and keep her business (a smalltown coffee shop) afloat. One daughter takes the change in stride, another plots to disrupt the sale, and Ellen soon finds herself struggling with her own deep feelings for the house. Obnoxious buyers make things worse, and lurking behind all her preparations to move is the possibility—alternately tempting and unsettling—of reconciling with husband Sam, who seems blindsided and bewildered. HGTV.com columnist McCleary's tale of real estate woe (plus a little entrepreneurship gone wrong) will resonate with unhappy homeowners, as will her portrait of a regular woman pushed to extremes trying to do the right thing for her family. (July)
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From Booklist

Ellen can stand losing her husband. With his weird inventions and obsession with magic tricks, he has ignored family finances and sent them plummeting into financial hell. It is the loss of the beloved home that she has decorated so lovingly over the years that threatens to shatter her. The fact that her daughters don’t want to leave the house, either, only adds to Ellen’s sorrow. To make matters worse, the perky new owner shows up early to measure windows, check out the walls, and make notes for her contractor. As this oblivious woman rambles on about the changes she is going to make, it becomes obvious to Ellen what she needs to do. In McCleary’s poignant, gently humorous novel, the characters seem utterly alive, and the locations are exquisitely described. This book also has one of the best opening paragraphs in recent memory, and is altogether so superior it’s hard to believe that it’s a debut. Readers who enjoy fine women’s fiction, such as Mary Alice Monroe’s Sweetgrass (2005), will be delighted to discover this new author. --Shelley Mosley

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Voice; 1 edition (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401340733
• ISBN-13: 978-1401340735
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #752,007 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Home Sweet Home, July 1, 2008

By	A. Krueger - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really related to Kathy McCleary's main character, Ellen. I even have some of the same taste as she does: Fiesta ware and Hazel Atlas state glasses! But it's her attachment to a place where she built a family and life--and how unhinged she becomes when she has to leave it-- that really ring true. I once moved into a house where the home seller sat crying in front of a closet door where she'd marked her son's height twice a year. It was like she was leaving part of her self behind. Kathy McCleary's book has that kind of authenticity--in the conversations, the details, the emotions, the consequences--plus a whole bunch of drama and twists that keep you turning the pages to the surprising end. I loved it!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Fun, July 1, 2008

By	A. Wiley Loughran (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A great story that keeps you turning the pages. Lots of good twists and turns. Although it is a factitious, the story seems like it could be amazinly true! Great references to Portland and the surrounding area. Would be a great book for the beach or other summer trip.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I really wanted to like this book but...., October 18, 2008

By	S. Johnson (Valencia, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

....I found Ellen, the protagonist, to be shallow, self-centered and whiny. She dumps her amazing, sexy, smart husband because of a HOUSE??? All she can focus on is keeping the house and numerous plot devices occur multiple times; house fire, illicit kiss, etc. I will admit I was first attracted to the lovely book cover but don't judge a book by the cover. Most other reviewers liked it, so don't go by me, maybe I'm just an unsympathetic grouch, but I couldn't empathize with Ellie at all.