Katherine Slee

A book with a book on the cover and in the title? Count me in! Katherine Slee's latest release is The Book of Second Chances.

Emily was in a tragic accident as a child. She lost her parents and was raised by and lives with her Grandmother Catriona, a much loved children's author. Emily provided illustrations for the picture books. Until she loses her Gran as well. Emily has happily lived her life within the walls and garden of the cottage they shared. But a letter delivered after Catriona's show more death will send Emily on a hunt across the globe to find one last manuscript. To hold on to the house, she needs to undertake the search. Her childhood friend Tyler accompanies her.

Clues are provided by excerpts from her Grandmother's diary. The first stop leads to another clue and another piece.....of her Grandmother's life. And through this search Emily learns more about her Gran's life - and loves. And along the way....more about herself as well.

Slee does a wonderful job of creating the character of Catriona. We never meet her in person, but come to know her through Emily's memories, friends, loves, pictures and diary entries. Emily takes longer to come to know as she has built up so many defenses over the years. Her quick mind and imagination draw the reader to her. I loved the descriptions of the picture books' stories and illustrations.

Slee has used birds to open each chapter. Emily loves birds as well. There's a neat index at the back that details each bird and their meanings. It ties in nicely with what goes on in that chapter.

Slee has a way with words. I was easily caught up in the past and intrigued by the present. I enjoyed her writing very much. Both narratives thoughtfully consider love, loss, grief, forgiveness and hope. (And it feels a wee bit magical as well!) See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Book of Second Chances.

"Each character, each place, took inspiration from her own life, her own highs and lows, because it's not possible to appreciate the good without the bad. The light without the dark. The joy without the sorrow. 'But most of all', Emily whispered. "most of all, we have to try.'" show less

The Book of Second Chances by Katherine Slee
Source: NetGalley and Forever
Rating: 3/5 stars

Emily’s life has been turned upside down and right side out to an extreme extent twice in her young life. The first time her life went sideways, so did the car she was riding in and it took both her parents’ lives and years for Emily to physically recover. The second time, Emily’s life went sideways, her beloved grandmother died after a long struggle with cancer. Alone, afraid, and rather helpless show more (or so she imagines), Emily has no idea what she’ll do for the next decades of her life, but she is certain it doesn’t involve leaving her house.

In the years since her accident, Emily’s grandmother has loved and cared for her, all while becoming one of the world’s most beloved children’s book authors. Emily’s grandmother was responsible for the words, but Emily has always been the illustrator. With half the dynamic duo now gone, Emily isn’t at all sure what she’ll do for money.

Good thing for Emily, her grandmother was clever, caring, compassionate, and generous. In secret during the months leading up to her death, Emily’s grandmother put into motion a plan that will not only break Emily out of her comfort zone but help her heal from both her past and present hurts. The plan involves a scavenger hunt which will take Emily on a long and cathartic road towards her future. With the help of a very old and trusted friend, Emily reluctantly sets out to discover what it is, exactly that her grandmother wanted her to learn.

Emily’s hunt is filled with hurt, anger, sadness, and even fond memories, all of which lead Emily from one step to the next. At each stop, Emily encounters a person close to her grandmother who has a package waiting for Emily. The packages are the clues as well as diary pages from her grandmother’s past. As any elder will tell you, the key to understanding the actions, thoughts, and feelings of the present is often rooted in the actions, thoughts, and feelings of the past. Each diary entry gives Emily an incredible insight into her grandmother’s world and life before Emily came to live with her. Emily discovers in the pages a free-spirited woman who loved fiercely, travelled widely, and gave it all up to raise her daughter and granddaughter, alone.

The Bottom Line: I found this book to be somewhat overwhelming in its sadness and – if I’m honest – despair. Emily has been allowed to live a secluded and isolate life for so many years, that once her grandmother dies, she has no idea how to fend for herself. Additionally, in order to receive her full inheritance, Emily must complete an emotionally challenging – to say the least – scavenger hunt that comes very close to breaking her, permanently. While I completely understand the purpose of Emily’s quest and her grandmother’s intentions, it didn’t make this book any easier to read. This is an emotionally challenging book that I can’t say I loved, but I did like. Of particular interest was the past (diary pages) blazing into the present to help Emily endure and better understand her grandmother and the monumental tasks ahead of her. I won’t go so far as to say, “Move this to the top of your TBR immediately!” but I will say give it a try, especially if you are a fan of big emotion books. show less

This is a sweet book. At first I was not such a fan of Emily but as I got further into the story, you could say that Emily. Despite not really getting to know Emily's grandmother very well before her death; I did love Catriona right away. As more details came out about her and the things she did for Emily made me just fall in love with her more.

Then there is Tyler. He was likable and an nice addition to this story. He helped Emily on her book adventure to solve her grandmother's mystery. show more The clues that she left for Emily each had a personal meaning. Which brings the readers closer to Emily and her grandmother.

While, I did like this book. I did find the pacing to move slowly. It did not seem as if the story really did pick up and start until about a third of the way into the story. Yet, I still did enjoy reading this book and would read another book by this author. show less

After reading the summary, I was immediately intrigued. I adored my grandmothers who have passed away and felt this book was perfect for me. Despite the grief, Emily is feeling over the loss of her own grandmother, she is tasked with a scavenger hunt. The prize? Inheritance... but along the way, she learns so much more...

Although it took me far too long to get into this book, it was a sweet story that left my heart feeling full. I wish I was able to say that I couldn't put it down, but that show more wasn't the case. Potentially, my current state of mind with the current affairs of the world played a part in all of this, but we will never know.

I recommend picking it up and giving it a shot! show less