Customer Reviews

Leaving Unknown: A Novel

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The good luck girl" by Kerry Reichs is an outstanding and lovely book about a woman who is determined to change her life and get back her good luck.

Maeve Conelly (Vi's sister from "The best day of someone else's life") is ready to change her life. Ever since she survived leukemia she has been struggling to create a life that makes her happy and satisfied. She is jumping from job to job after getting her college degree in seven long years and is always in money problems.
To get back her good luck and give her life a new direction she decides to go on a road trip from Charlotte to LA. On this journey she also hopes to find some of her old strength and a new perspective for her future.
After travelling for some time her car breaks down in a small city called Unknown, Arizona. There she soon finds great friends who are like a second family to her. There she also begins to realize that the leukemia didn't make her weak but stronger.
After finding work in a bookshop and her love for photography plus a possible love interest in her sexy boss Maeve could be happy. But she still feels that to really move forward she has to finish her roadtrip and not stop before making it to LA even though her heart belongs to Unknown.

Since reading "The best day of someone else's life" I have been a big fan of Kerry Reichs and after reading "The good luck girl" I'm an even bigger one.
Maeve is a fascinating heroine with many quirks regarding her health others don't understand but which make her adorable when you know her history. She is fighting to start over her life and finally be able to trust into herself and her body again. I find her journey inspiring because it shows that if you want change in your life you can get it through your own actions.
I love every part of Maeve's roadtrip and especially the end of the book is just perfect and so lovely. The places she goes on her trip and the people she meets are all contributing to Maeve getting back her life and strength so I enjoyed reading about all her stations a lot.
The scenes in which Maeve remembers her illness and therapy are heartbreaking (I had to cry a few times) but also show how strong she really is.
Unknown is a very special place and it's residents Tuesday, Ruby and Noah (plus many more) are just as extraordinary as Maeve. They give Maeve the friendship and love she needs to finally heal and stop believing in her bad luck.

So all in all I really enjoyed this wonderful book and can't wait to read more by Kerry Reichs.

Glowing satisfaction. That is the feeling that I was left with, as I closed the cover on Leaving Unknown. Just from looking at the cover, I knew this was going to be a fun read, however, I had no idea just how much fun was in store. Mix that laugh-out-loud fun with real emotion, life changing events and the quest to "find" oneself and you have one heck of a story on your hands. That is exactly what author Kerry Reichs manages to put together in this superb novel, that is sure to leave the name "Kerry Reichs" as anything but unknown.

In Leaving Unknown, we are immediately introduced to main character Maeve Connelly, however that introduction is just the tip of the iceberg. In the the beginning, Maeve reminded me a lot of Becky from the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. She had the same "toss your cares to the wind" type of attitude, as well as a bit of the financial issues, lol. However, as the story progresses, readers are gifted with getting to know Maeve, on a much deeper level. I, for one, adored Maeve, her sassiness, spunk, bravery and her exceptional intelligence and ingenuity are true characteristics that pull the reader in, as much as they pull in the people that Maeve comes into contact with throughout the story.

Leaving her home in Charlotte, to travel to Los Angeles to begin a whole new life, Maeve decides to road trip through the most unique named towns that she can find. Among these are Sweet Lips, Tennessee, Toad Suck, Arkansas and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. It is when she gets to Unknown, Arizona that Maeve's beloved 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, Elsie, breaks down and needs a massive amount of tweaking. Unfortunately, the only mechanic around is gone on a trip and no ones knows when his return may be. This leaves Maeve and her sidekick, Oliver, her not-so-shy cockatiel, stranded. It doesn't take long for the kind-hearted and slightly eccentric folks of Unknown to take Maeve into their fold, as well as wrapping themselves around Maeve's heart. One particular citizen, bookstore owner and novelist, Noah, places an amazingly strong anchor around Maeve's heart and mind. Only one problem, Noah is taken.

After residing, for a few months, in Unknown, making incredible friends and finding an undiscovered voice, through photography, Elsie is mended and it is time for Maeve to leave and finish her journey to California. With a heart, not as light as it was in the beginning of her trip, Mauve continues on, finding herself in sunny California with a friend from long ago. However, all the promised glitz and glamor are anything but and Maeve's heart aches for the friends she made in Unknown. Will she be able to swallow the lump and settle her ache for Noah and be able to return to the warm fold of Unknown, or will she remain strong in her original plan and remain in California? No matter how hard we plan, there is always a detour that pops up in the road of life.

I think that many readers can easily find something of Maeve within themselves. The insecurities, that feeling of being unsettled and not knowing who you are or where to go, the ability to dig deep within and discover the unyielding strength and wondrousness that makes each of us special and unique. My love for this book is one that has placed it as one of my favorites for 2010 and my desire to read more by this author is incredible. The transformation that Kerry Reichs takes the reader on with Maeve is amazing and so very human. Little things that seem so trivial and silly, in the beginning of the story, take on an entirely new meaning, as readers travel deeper within the story and deeper within Maeve. Other characters within the story, such as Noah, Tuesday, Bruce, Ruby, Samuel, April and Busy are ones that are an added delight. The author's ability to bring each and every person to life within the pages of this story is fantastic. Also, as an added bit of fun, there is a children's story, fully illustrated, within the story of Leaving Unknown (keep in mind, this is only a few pages long and completely ties in with the story itself) written by Noah for Maeve. I loved this little story as much as I did the novel itself!

Leaving Unknown is a story that will have the reader laughing out loud, giggling, sighing, rejoicing, celebrating and so many emotions in-between. Honestly, this story was a pure delight and one that had me thinking about the characters, when I wasn't even reading. I highly recommend Leaving Unknown to anyone looking for a delicious story that will remain within your heart and mind, long after the final word has been read. Kerry Reichs is an amazing talent and I eagerly await her next release!

Omigosh, I have never had another book grab me so fast like this has (and I read a LOT). Tne author has such a clever & witty way with words that she wouldn't even need a plot to hold my attention. Luckily, though, there certainly IS a plot, and a very good one at that. I read that Ms Reichs gave up a successful law practice in Wash DC to do research for this particular book. She drove across country, so she'd know what her heroine, Maeve Connelly, would experience.

I, accidentally, bought two of these at two different places, since I had read such positive reviews about it. Both arrived within a week of each other to my great surprise. Now I wish I could trade one for her first book ). I've just got to read it, too.

I loved this book. I keep checking back to see if she's written another. It was inspiring, funny and full of great antics. Very, very good. I hope you enjoy it!

Cute, fluffy, easy read. Likeable characters in an unrealistic situation. Still enjoyable. Very much reminded me of "Northern Exposure" but set in the Southwest. Made a good summer beach book.

Leaving Unknown focuses on the sister of the main protagnist of The Best Day of Someone Else's Life.

I loved Vi from The Best Day of Someone Else's Life and the main problem that I have with this sequel is that some of the things that Maeve talks about in this novel should have been brought up in "The Best Day of Someone Else's Life".

I think Reichs thought of a cool idea but maybe should have left some of the plot on the cutting room floor since I kept saying wait a minute what and going back to re-read "The Best Day of Someone Else's Life" and saying when did that happen?

I think the big issue I have is that we find out that Maeve who were meant to think was a moocher who was on the 7 year college plan and kind of selfish and didn't think of others. In "Leaving Unknown" we find out she is a moocher and was on a 7 year college plan due to having cancer when she started school and had two battles with it....that is a big freaking thing to not bring up in the prior novel and I really don't like her saying in this novel well we didn't talk about it since I hate talking about it....it just made no sense.

We begin with Maeve who has finally graduated from college and running late to her job at a bar only to run out of gas, not get to her job late, get fired, run to her parents' home and promptly be told no more handouts (phew that is a lot going on!)

Maeve decides to start over and go live with a friend (though doesn't really check in with friend that much about this) in CA and drive from North Carolina to Los Angeles, CA by way of weird and cutesy state names with her cockatiel. Of course almost at her final destination Maeve gets stranded in a place called Unknown and meets the townspeople who of course are great, perfect, loyal and love Maeve though she absolutely does not deserve it and once again is kind of a jerk to people and of course that one girl who hates Maeve but acts like a (swear word) so you should feel free to hate her too (I didn't actually). While in Unknown Maeve gets a boyfriend but her heart lies with the owner and author Noah and it was just a foregone conclusion that these two would end up together so whatever to that.

Also unlike in "The Best Day of Someone Else's Life" when I was literally hooting with laughter and unable to breathe in parts the only time I really laughed when was when Maeve got to CA and was living with a former friend from her childhood who was in some serious D-E-N-I-A-L. I mean I cried and re-read those parts over and over again.

Overall grade: B-

I enjoy Kerry's sense of humor so I was looking forward to reading her next installment, which seemed a little more up my alley than her first book. I found the younger sister of her first book to be a little more relatable to myself and so I was curious to follow her adventure in "Leaving Unknown." I liked this book because it was chick lit without being too chick littie. I prefer stories about women finding themselves and love along the way instead of the typical, girl needs love, girl loses love, girl finds better love. Unfortunately, I have not been able to finish the book that I was thoroughly enjoying, that was also signed by Kerry, due to a roommate borrowing the book, losing it, and claiming no knowledge of it's whereabouts. Considering the book most likely did not grow legs and walk away, and I have not heard of a band of book thieving gnomes in the area, I'm blaming the roommate. As compliment to Kerry's work, while I was reading LU in a coffee shop, a man in his 40s or 50s approached me and talked about how much he liked her first book and was looking forward to reading the next. I would have normally written it off as just some dude hitting on me but he knew the name of her first book and details about it, so I believed his claiming to be a "fan." In Kerry's books I like the loose detail that isn't enough to make you feel like you're reading Jane Austen but just enough to come off authentic and like she is describing actual experiences. It is a real turnoff to me when an author writes about something they clearly don't know anything about and haven't bothered to research it. Kerry's writing style reminds me of a funny friend sitting for coffee and telling you an amusing anecdote of their life. It's just easy and effortless and little work on your part. I am looking forward to her third book which sounds slightly different than her first two books, stepping closer towards "Party of Five" type drama. I foresee Kerry having a lengthy career as an author and potentially stepping into other creative realms.

I loved this book, so much that I then ordered another one by the author without reading what the book was about. "The Good Luck Girl." I just knew I would like it, then when it came I realized it was the same book, "Leaving Unknown," that I had already read. VERY FRUSTRATING. I am not a publisher, so I don't understand how you can have the same book and change the name of it. I guess since the first one was published in the UK, the name could be changed. Anyway, this sucks.

"Leaving Unknown: A Novel!" All I wanted was for this book to go on and on!

Ms. Reichs had me enamored by her protagonist, Maeve Connelly, from the very beginning (sort of like those girl crushes Maeve herself has with Ruby and Tuesday- not to be put together in the form of a burger chain restaurant) when she arrives in Unknown, Arizona, on her way to a new life in Los Angeles. However, her car, Elsie, has a different idea, and she finds herself stranded in a town that she's finding harder and harder to leave. There is more than one romantic interest- Samuel and Noah- and to Ms. Reichs' credit, you don't hate the one you're not routing for. (sort of like the love triangle in "Sweet Home, Alabama." Even though you knew Patrick Dempsey's character wasn't for Reese Witherspoon's, you really wanted to see him end up happy, because he was such a great guy.)

This book will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. And Ms. Reichs does everything with such a deft hand. Nothing is maudlin or over the top. It's just superb writing from start to finish with characters so believable she'll make you want to take your own road trip to this incredible town, and meet all of Maeve's new friends. There is a definite surprise element in this book, which I won't divulge, because I don't think it'd be fair to ruin the revelation I got to experience while reading this book, and it's with that piece of information, that all of Maeve's quirks finally make sense to the reader.

I loved this book from start to finish and just wish there were more than five stars to give it. It was just that good. If you read just one book this summer, I would highly recommend this be the one! I myself can't wait to get Ms. Reichs first book now, although Leaving Unknown: A Novel" will be a tough act to follow

Noreen Riley is the author of, "A Funny Th"ing Happened On The Way To Her Brother's Shotgun Wedding."

I absolutely LOVED this book. I was shocked a few times, laughed several times, and cried at more than one point. I adored Maeve and all of the wonderful characters she interacted with. (Even annoying Laura-Lola was worth a few laughs!)

I love the spirit of this novel. It did nothing to disappoint and left me feeling completely satisfied.