Won the ARC for this book online. This book just wasn’t a good fit for me. I had trouble connecting with the characters and the plot seemed to drawn out.

Timmer’s main character, Markie, is a forty-something divorcée who, along with her son Jesse, longs to begin a new life away from the prying eyes of former friends and neighbors. After living with her parents for a week, Markie finds a new job, a new home, and a new set of neighbors, which include Angeline St. Denis and her domestic employees (affectionately known as the ‘defectives’). Markie is hesitant to let these neighbors into her home and her heart, and actively works against it, but Mrs. Saint is tenacious. She sends her ‘defectives’ over to Markie’s place to help with home repairs, gives Jesse a dog to take care of, and dispenses parenting advice that bruises Markie’s feelings. Over the course of the novel, Markie struggles to understand Mrs. Saint’s motives. With time, of course, comes wisdom, and it becomes clear to Markie that Mrs. Saint’s plans—while flawed—result in a neighborhood family, the likes of which Markie has never known before.

Very heartwarming without being too heavy handed. I liked the complicated relationships between people.

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives is a laugh out loud funny novel about a fortysomething woman, Markie, who discovers her husband not only has been having an affair, but has also spent all of the family’s money. With no support from her parents, she moves to a small bungalow and puts her son, Jesse, in a new school to remove him from the scandal caused by his dad’s actions. On moving day, she meets Mrs. Saint, her neighbor who immediately makes it her business to fix up Markie’s life. But Markie does not want any assistance, and is worried that her nosey neighbor views her as one of the assorted misfits (“defectives”) that Mrs. Saint is trying to rehabilitate.
Julie Lawson Timmer approaches the “woman scorned” topic from a fresh perspective. While it is easy for the reader to become frustrated with Markie because of her determination to isolate herself and her son from any and everyone, the humor and colorful cast of characters keep the reader hoping that Markie will open her heart again. Most books of this topic focus on the protagonist finding love again, but instead, Markie finds her bearings through a variety of situations, many created by Mrs. Saint. The pace of the novel keep the reader guessing up until the surprising twist at the end.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

this book was a great escape and a fun read. I enjoyed reading less of a serious novel and hope to read more by this author in the future

I loved the writing style and storyline! I, unfortunately, had to put the book down halfway through because it wasn't a good fit for our monthly subscription box. I do plan on picking it up again!

This was a nice change for me and so thankful for the chance to read this witty novel

My TBR stack is so deep, I'm having to be brutal in abandoning books. After the first few chapters, I just couldn't get in to the story in this one and had to put it down in favor of something else. Though it wasn't the fault of Timmer's writing (which was actually enjoyable). I think it was just poor timing for me and this book.

There are novels that are just fun to read. Usually they have a kooky main character and lovable minor characters and their combined antics have the readers laughing aloud. Although Markie, the main character, come across as self-centered and clueless, you'll find yourself gasping and laughing as you turn the pages. I can only compare reading this book to reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette?

It's been said in many, many reviews but the cover art of this book is outstanding.

Markie has had a public humiliation and uproots her son, moving far from the high profile, lux life they were used to. On move in day, she is introduced to Mrs. Saint, a Frenchwoman, and her employees.

Mrs. Saint quickly becomes part of Markie and her sons daily life, even though Markie is annoyed, not only because she wants to be left alone, but because Mrs. Saint is secretive about her own life. Markie learns more about the employees, she finds a common theme....everyone has been down on their luck, and people who Mrs. Saint has stepped in to help, i.e. The Defectives.

This is a book about redemption and second chances. It's written written and engaging and I've already purchased a physical copy for the cover art alone.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I would highly recommend this delightful book. The author did not fail to entertain me. I will definitely keep reading her work. Thank you , Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this book.

I really enjoyed this book, so much. The characters are all great and really interesting. I love the growth you see in them all. It is so bitter sweet. I look forward to reading other books by Julie Lawson Timmer. Thank you!

Predictable, but so much fun! Well worth the read. Just enough twists and turns to make it fun, and many laugh out loud moments.

Even though Markie is annoying, this story about her fall from grace and desire to start a new life (or avoid one) grew on me. There's a little mystery too. It was actually refreshing that there was no unnecessary love interest to make Markie's life complete.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this unbiased review.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
When Markie's life is in tatters and she and her teenage son move to a small house miles from anybody who knew them before her marriage exploded, she is besieged by a busybody neighbour. Yes, Mrs. Saint does some very nice things and is super generous but Markie feels she is far too instrusive in her life. The fact that she is right about most of the things she tries to help Markie through does not make it any easier.
Months go by while Markie struggles to stay "protected" within the shell of her own making. She resists every attempt to give her help and resents when it is given by the overbearing Mrs. Saint.
Then on day, Markie learns the truth, that isolating yourself from the world is not living and it has some serious repercussions. She finally lets some of the people in Mrs. Saint's home into her life. Only when it is too late does she understand who Mrs. Saint is and why she does the things that she does.
The reader cannot help being frustrated with both Markie and Mrs. Saint at times. Yet the two characters are so well drawn and endearing that it is difficult not to like them. The book is filled with quirky flawed characters or defectives. Yet for all their flaws, they each have life lessons to teach and to learn and they do it by helping each other. It is a story filled with pathos and passion, sadness and laughter. And hope.
Despite her faults, all the characters' lives are enriched by knowing Mrs. Saint. The same goes for the reader.
I give this five purrs and two paws up.

3 1/2 Stars
A sweet story of second chances with a wonderful cast of eccentric characters. With such quirky characters, I wished for more!! I found the story to be slow overall, but it did have a good message.

This book was very cute. It lacked something, but overall was a very enjoyable read.

I read about 10% of this and then set it aside. It just didn't work for me. The characters didn't compel me to keep reading.

I absolutely love the cover of Mrs. Saint and the Defectives and overall I give it 4.5 stars.

I loved Mrs. Saint, Jessie, and all of the Defectives. But then there's Markie, who's reeling from a divorce. At first, I was just annoyed with her, then frustrated, then wanting to shake her sideways but I kept reading. About halfway through, I wasn't even sure if I was enjoying it even though I was hooked on every word. Markie did what a lot of women do in a marriage. She buries her head in the sand and ignores the obvious. That is why I was so frustrated with Markie because she is true to life and it makes me sad. And so I kept reading.

To balance Markie's (withdrawal from life) character along comes Mrs. Saint, with her French pronunciations and her pushiness. We could all use a neighbor like Mrs. Saint to point out the obvious when we cannot see it.

The ending is truly worth the wait. You'll laugh and cry your way through each chapter wondering what Mrs. Saint isn't revealing and finally uncovering all secrets at the end. The perfect book club read.

"Mrs Saint and the Defectives" by Julie Lawson Timmer

What an awesome novel. With humor, wit, warmth, and a large dose of humanity, Julie Lawson Timmer has written a true gem of a novel.

From the first paragraph I was engaged, by the second chapter I was enthralled, and by the third chapter I was addicted. How this little old pushy French lady could bring humor to a situation that was not truly funny was just the first of many scenes that would occur between her and newly divorced single mother Markie and her son Jesse.

Mrs Saint lives in the big house next door. She has taken on many to assist them with job skills and finding jobs. Well the latest group has been around a very long time, so other than little directions or assistance here and there, she has decided that getting to know Markie and giving her advice about her son might be appreciated. Not so much. Not the visits, the advice, or anything else that Mrs Saint wants to provide or offer. Sometimes Mrs Saint takes things into her own hands anyway, and boom, what Markie has said no to over and over is no longer an issue. Take the dog, for example. Or the babysitting, or the food, or having her son work for Mrs Saint to pay for restitution he feels obligated to pay for something he did. All decisions taken out of Markie's hands.

Despite the few times Markie has gotten angry, Mrs Saint is quite persistent. What's one to do with a woman like that? Who just walks through the hedge and bangs on your door? Or shows up when she says she would even if you told her not to?

And who can resist a group of adults, who all have certain quirks, that Mrs Saint has living with her so she can quietly and kindly assist them in the areas of their weakness? The, what she calls, defectives?

A novel with an energetic Australian shepherd, a cook who can't cook too well, a gardener who is easily confused, a woman and her child who have no actual job but to oversee "things," the "foreman" of the group who leaves and comes back at the same time everyday, and a tiny French woman who is full of answers that don't quite fit at times but has majored in bossy and persistence.

A truly magnificent book that is funny, kind, heartbreaking, heartwarming, honest, full of amazing characters, a plot that is phenomenal, and a true joy to read.

Rating: 4.9
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️