I thoroughly enjoyed this book! In the synopsis for The Love Story of Missy Carmichael it’s described as a “coming-of-old” story and I think that’s is the absolute perfect description! Starting in present day with an elderly Missy, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael time hops to various points in Missy’s life to give us a full scope of her journey. In reading about her journey you begin to put pieces together as to why Missy makes the choices she has. I loved that we also get to see Missy’s reinvention of herself in the present day! I found The Love Story of Missy Carmichael completely endearing and inspiring! This is Beth Morrey’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her! I will most definitely be 1-clicking whatever she comes out with in the future!

Could not finish this book. Characters were not developed enough to pique my interest. Seemed to be simplistic tale of lonely, isolated older woman discovering love again through caring for a dog. While other similar tales have been engrossing to me, this one fell flat.

This is Beth Morrey’s debut novel. I predict that it is the first of many more. She is a tremedously talented author.
This novel has multi-generational characters ranging from an infant to seventy-nine year old Missy. I love books that include the older population! Also included are pets of the characters with one very special female dog named Bob, who definitely stole my heart.
I experienced so much emotion reading this book. I came to know these characters and I care deeply about them. That is the sign of a fantastic author, when I struggle to call them characters and not “people/friends etc”. They are a part of my life now. I miss them already, having finished the book yesterday.
There are many themes running throughout the story. Friendship, Strenght of Women, Imperfect Lives, Forgiveness and Love. I kept thinking throughout the book of the saying, “be kind to everyone, you do not know the struggles they are going through”. Every person we encounter has burdens they are carrying. We may never see them since they are so well hidden. This book explores that truth. As we get to know the characters better, we see the things that they usually hide.
I truly love this book. I highlighted so many sentences that touched me and I know I will be re-reading The Love Story of Missy Carmichael again in the future. That is one of the best compliments I can give, since I rarely read a book for a second time.
I want to thank NetGalley.com and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for giving me this great pleasure of reading Beth Morrey’s debut novel! This review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC of this fantastic book.

What a horrible, manipulative ending. YOU DON'T PUT A CARTOON DOG ON THE FRONT IF THE DOG IS PERIL. I don't see anyone with a heart enjoying reading this book, which is a shame, because I really was enjoying it UNTIL IT WENT HORRIBLY, HORRIBLY AWRY. Just....why? I guess she wanted to make her point that everything is the worst? I admit I stopped reading when it went off the rails because I didn't care what the author had to say at that point. THIS NEEDS A PET IN PERIL WARNING.

This is the story of Millicent Carmichael and her lonely life, and the series of coincidences that sees her life trajectory change in a way she had never anticipated. All of the characters are well-written and jump off the page. It has some mystery and heartache, and is just overall wonderful - it had me in tears. This book definitely put the author, Beth Morrey, on my watchlist. I highly recommend this book!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

****The Love Story of Missy Carmichael explores loneliness and what constitutes family. Is family only blood or can it be created out of caring and friendship? At almost seventy-nine years old Missy is alone. Her husband is dead; her son and his family live in Australia; her daughter is a busy professor. Missy always has been an introvert, often feeling uncomfortable in social situations. Then her life practically is highjacked by a little boy, his overactive mother, Angela, her friend, Sylvia, and a dog named Bob. Missy is led into new experiences that give her life purpose as she looks to the future instead of the past. This new to me British author has written a touching story that should resonate with readers who have older parents and with older readers. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.