adult fiction; missing child mystery. Strongly reminds me of What Was Lost, which also dealt with the after-effects of a child disappearing without a trace. Interesting characters and moving storyline--would recommend. ( )

This book was recommended to me, and I was pulled right into the story line from the first chapter. I laughed, I cried, I watched each character mature, and cried a bit more, but for different reasons in the end. An emotionally moving book, but just what I needed for a change of pace. I will be reading more from this fantastic author. ( )

This is one of my 2013 favorites! Leavitt tells us a story filled with loss, grief, mystery and suspicion. She allows us to feel the life of an outsider as a Jewish single mother in a 1950's suburb. This is a painful and yet beautiful story.


I received a free copy of this book. ( )

I received a copy of Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt in exchange for an honest review.
Ava Lark is trying to make a life for herself and her twelve year old son, Lewis, in a suburban Boston neighborhood. As a divorcee in the 1950s life is somewhat difficult and being a single working mother only made some of the other neighbors view Ava with suspicion. When one of her son’s closest friends disappear the neighbor jump at another excuse to make life for Ava and her son, Lewis even worse.
This book was one of the most emotional I have ever read and very thought provoking. Any parent reading this is absolutely sent to a part of their “cannot go there” horror. There were quite some twists and turns that nothing could have prepared me for and I felt so sad for Ava having to live a life that was not of her making and the blame her son placed on her for a situation he, as a child, could surely not understand. The prejudices against Ava, both for being divorced and Jewish was at a time when there was so little tolerance for the plight of others, maybe to some degree, has our world evolved much? But the fortitude Ava showed in the face of the odds placed against her was admirable for sure. It was good to see the children, Lewis and Rose grow up, but so sad when the truth was found… it makes me wonder if the truth would always set us free?? Not light reading, but very well written.
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I received a copy of Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt in exchange for an honest review.
Ava Lark is trying to make a life for herself and her twelve year old son, Lewis, in a suburban Boston neighborhood. As a divorcee in the 1950s life is somewhat difficult and being a single working mother only made some of the other neighbors view Ava with suspicion. When one of her son’s closest friends disappear the neighbor jump at another excuse to make life for Ava and her son, Lewis even worse.
This book was one of the most emotional I have ever read and very thought provoking. Any parent reading this is absolutely sent to a part of their “cannot go there” horror. There were quite some twists and turns that nothing could have prepared me for and I felt so sad for Ava having to live a life that was not of her making and the blame her son placed on her for a situation he, as a child, could surely not understand. The prejudices against Ava, both for being divorced and Jewish was at a time when there was so little tolerance for the plight of others, maybe to some degree, has our world evolved much? But the fortitude Ava showed in the face of the odds placed against her was admirable for sure. It was good to see the children, Lewis and Rose grow up, but so sad when the truth was found… it makes me wonder if the truth would always set us free?? Not light reading, but very well written.
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