STUCK IN MANISTIQUE - Dennis Cuesta
Celestial Eyes Press
Perfect 10
ISBN: 978-1-7324-1090-9
November 2018
General Fiction

Manistique, Michigan – The Present

Mark (last name never revealed), who lives in Chicago and is a financial advisor, learns his Aunt Vivian has died and left him her estate, a Victorian house in Manistique, Michigan, a small community in the Upper Peninsula near Lake Michigan. His aunt, Dr. Vivian Peregrine, had been a humanitarian doctor who served in the world’s troubled areas for most of her life. He can only remember meeting her once and lost touch with her years ago, but couldn’t locate her. After talking to his aunt’s lawyer in Petoskey, Michigan, he travels to the UP. The problem is he has gephyrophobia, or fear of bridges, and the five mile long Mackinac (pronounced Mack-in-awe) Bridge lays between him and Manistique. Luckily, the bridge personnel are prepared for such occasions and have assistance drivers to help people across the bridge. On his first night in his aunt’s house, which he plans to sell, a woman knocks on the door and asks for a room for the night. It seems his Aunt Vivian operated a B&B.

Dr. Emily Davis was driving north, on her way to Mackinac Island to meet her mentor, another doctor who is married, for a romantic commitment. Suffering doubts, she goes to the Upper Peninsula to catch the ferry to the island, but ultimately takes U.S. Highway 2 west and away from her temptation. Near Manistique a deer leaps into car’s windshield, smashing it to bits. Repair will take at least one day and all the local hotels and motels are filled with an elderly group on a casino tour of the UP. One motel owner gives her the name of the Manistique Victorian, a local B&B.

Mark’s generosity to Emily soon expands to other unexpected guests. From that point, the unexpected and unanticipated continually take place. The newly acquainted characters share quippy talk and camaraderie, which leads to confidences laced with allusions. Trouble abounds. While the story is overall humorous in tone, serious matters underlie the content. The story revolves around personal loss, secrets revealing extraordinary truths, local mysticism, friendship, incipient romance, and family relationships. Yes it earns a Perfect 10, but mostly for those who enjoy quirky people and crazy, surprising events, and because I learned some interesting things about my home state.

If you have ever traveled in Northern Michigan, Stuck in Manistique will have you hooked in the first 5 chapters. The descriptions of Northern Michigan, the Straits and heading west on US-2 will feel familiar. I laughed out loud at the description of listening to UP radio. One of my favorite things when driving across the UP is locally hosted radio shows. The description in this book did not disappoint. The lead characters both find themselves 'stuck' in Manistique, he to settle his aunt's estate, she traveling home to Wisconsin for a break in the middle of her medical schooling. A cast of characters also find themselves passing through the B&B that Mark has inherited from his recently deceased aunt. A very fun and entertaining read, especially if you are familiar with Up North Michigan.

I received and advanced reader copy of this novel via NetGalley.

fiction, life-changes, light-hearted, humor

I liked the references to places I know well and the angst thing that each of the two main characters were going through. Most of the characters truly are, and while the publisher's blurb is better than most, there's more humor involved than the blurb indicates. It seems to be pretty well written and some aspects are spot on. A really nice read for a quiet afternoon!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Celestial Eyes Press courtesy of NetGalley.

I love this book! The gentle story of love and hope kept me connected to the characters and the irreverent wit had me laughing out loud. Especially meaningful to me was the message that deep human connection can be found in varied and unexpected forms. Also notable is Cuesta's honest portrayal of strong female characters. I'm looking forward to this author's next release.

What a thoroughly entertaining read. I went into this with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

The book makes reference to Faulty Towers and yes indeed its exactly what it reminded me of. A great mix of quirky characters that have all come together unexpectedly or is it all a matter of fate.

A great read

This was a sweet debut novel about Mark and Emily whose serendipitous meeting in the small town of Manistique engenders change in both of them. Mark is there because he has inherited his estranged aunt's house which she has converted into a Bed and Breakfast. Emily is a young doctor planning to meet up with her married boyfriend when she accidentally hits a deer and needs a place to stay for the night. Coincidentally, other guests show up and soon there is a houseful of oddly eccentric characters.
Having grown up in the Midwest, I appreciated the details at the beginning of the novel--small town charm and quirky, down-to-earth people. As the book went on however, it seemed like I was reading the script of a movie or a play as there was so much dialogue and less description. So while I enjoyed the storyline, I missed the in-depth character development that breathes life into them and makes them real, an element I appreciate in literary fiction. While the characters were likable, I wasn't fully invested in them so the story was just that--a cute story. But if this sounds like a good end-of-the-summer read for you, it just may be your cup of tea!

I really wanted to like this book. The name grabbed me right away. My husband grew up in Manistique and I lived there for a year or so. That being said this could have been written about anywhere. I understand changing names and such but I could only picture a few things mentioned about the town. Maybe I knew too much about it and that's why it was hard, I don't know.

It started out slow and didn't pick up until about half way though. I liked the idea behind the story but it was a bit dry, too descriptive, and had way too much going on. There were so many fillers. I think it would have been better if it had been shortened and if the author hadn't tried so hard. It kind of read like King novel, nothing scary or anything like that but anyone who has tried to read King and couldn't would understand.

I would be interested in picking up another story from this author to see if the writing style has grown.

I think this is the funniest book I have read. Totally unpredictable, great characters, and I read it in one day. The twists and turns of events had me laughing out loud. A financial planner arrives at a remote town in upper Michigan to check out a house left to him by his aunt. He does not realize it is a Bed and Breakfast until guests start showing up. Although reluctant to be a host, he feels sorry for every guest's situations and becomes the greatest host; going above and beyond the call. The town is charming and easy to picture, given the excellent details of the setting. The characters are unique and lovable. This was a delight to read!

A really enjoyable read and the storyline was just something a bit different. Great set of quirky characters.

Very predictable, I read this book very quickly. ...although it did little to hold my interest. Characters were not interesting people.. There seemed to be little or no plot. The first 2 chapters were O.K, however after that the book just stalls. Not familiar with this author. Young man inherited Victorian house , young lady appears after her car is hit by a deer???

Sweet first novel about the mysteries of adoption and invisible ties that bind. Mark travels from the suburbs of Chicago to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to inherit property from a long-lost relative, where he meets cute with Emily, a fledgling doctor in need of support. Loved the colorful characters, and as the Midwest is my milieu, I identified easily with the sights and smells, the cheese curds and the yoopers. I took off a star for Mark and Emily's not so witty banter, but appreciated the depth and twistiness of the plot.

A bit predictable in parts but fun to read. There is a B&B left by an elderly woman (Vivian) to a little known much younger relative, Mark. He travels up to Manistique, a small town on the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. His path soon crosses with Emily who was traveling through and encountered a deer. She convinces Mark to let her stay at the B&B while she is waiting for a new windshield for her Saab. This where the zaniness begins. There are quite the cast of quirky characters and the novel picks up pace as the various stories unfold. It does end a bit predictably but not in the way you’d expect. I really enjoyed it a great deal!

Most of the visitors to this town in the UP are there temporarily... or so they think. Just closing up an estate and leaving, though driving over the scary bridge is required. Just waiting for a new windshield after a deer-car incident, but Saab's are not ordinary cars to find parts for in this area. Just on a tour of casinos, until leaving the tour hotel due to roommate issues.. or not. "Just plans" never seems to work out as planned.

Amusing and cute. Predictable, mostly, but entertaining. Enjoyable definitely.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.