Thank you so much to Berkley for the free book!

I was drawn to this book because of the bright and fun cover and then when I read the synopsis : a college dropout and a 80+ y/o old together on the run from the law, I knew it was right up my alley.

I'm a huge fan of unlikely friendships and Tanner and Louise will show readers that we all have more in common with each other than we originally thought 💓

This is the perfect book to read when you just need to relax and have a good laugh. While the plot was fun and the storyline interesting, there wasn't too much tension for me and I actually appreciated that in this case.

I do feel like there's a whole world of secrets and fun left to be explored with these two so I would LOVE a second book or even a series with these characters!

This was my first book by Colleen Oakley and now I plan to go back and check out all her other work as well! If they're all this much fun, I'll be flying through them!

This book will be available March 28th!

I absolutely adored this book. It was funny, touching, and suspenseful with so many twists and turns I didn't see coming. There was even a hint of romance. But my absolute favorite part was the "slow burn" friendship and bond between Gen Z Tanner and octogenarian Louise. The voice was pitch perfect. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

While it took me a bit to warm up to Tanner I loved this story. There are laughs, suspense, a budding romance, mystery about Louise, family issues - such a heartwarming story. I do hope the author thinks about making this into a movie. Looking forward to more from this author. A really good book club selection.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise ia an adorable tale, one which two completely different generations and two different personalities combine and set out on a great adventure, not just in where they go, what they do and the lessons they learn but in getting to know and appreciate one another, two people, if not for their circumstances, would have never had the chance in life to meet and change each others lives, forever.

Louise Wilt is a very old woman (mid-eighties) with some secrets in her life, well, many secrets, BIG secrets, from long ago. In her youth, it seems, she had some wild experiences with some “characters” that were a part of her life. Many of them proved to be quite dangerous, in the end, it turned out, so Louise left this fast and loose life and chose to live one very much like most of the population. She settled down with a man, moved to the suburbs where there was a house she still lives in, her children now grown and her husband now passed. At times, it seems, the only problems she really has are with her children who worry about her all alone in the home, now that their father has gone and she has become infirm with a bad hip, having had it replaced.

The laugh out loud parts for me were when the chapters switch to narrate the conversations Louise’s children have with one another, at times, and other people about their mother, many hilarious things shared and said. Especially when they learn that their mother had a life quite different, in her youth, than the one they expected their mother to have lived. The fact that two of the children paid very little attention to their mother (one knew more than the others), that she had some big items hidden on the property while they were growing up, is very telling of what most people think of their parents. They don’t expect them to have secrets and have no existence apart from the one they had lived with their children.

But, I can’t say that I would not be at fault for this as I too accepted what my family told me about their life, never asked any other questions even when information was left out, and filled in any blanks I might have had with hum-drum experiences that I thought very little about. Colleen Oakley doesn’t just give readers a delightful story to read but also brings to mind the fact that if we were to ask the question of ourselves, “do we really know our parents (or grandparents/ family) that we may be surprised to find out that, in fact, much of what we know we have filled in ourselves and rarely think that a loved one (especially if it happened before we came into the family) had a life filled with any kind of danger, excitement and/or adventure, before us.

Part two of the duo is the young addition of Tanner who cannot go back to Northwestern because she has had a sporting injury and, without her scholarship based on her being able to play, the tuition payments are out of the question. Since she is at home, her parents nag her to get a job, not that the caregiver salary she will make living in the home of Louise Wilt will pay her tuition. Depressed about everything, Tanner is set to move in and help the old lady out and when she isn't doing that, play video games. However, Louise does not like the idea of someone doing things for her and getting too close. In time, readers learn why. But, it is not that Tanner is the one that brings “the heat” on Lousie, that would have happened regardless. For Louise, it is just time to reconcile her past.

When the two move in together the interaction between the two generations make the book even better. Don’t get me wrong, all the characters, on their own, are quite unique and humorous for all their individual traits given. That Louise sets out for a fly fishing trip four days after her husband dies, after all, it had been paid in full and planned for months, that an 80 something year old woman is like that, is original all on its own. And, that Tanner participates in the shenanigans of Louise, when they are discovered, she is discovered, as long as she can extort enough money to pay her tuition at Northwestern for the year and say that, if they are caught, the old woman had kidnapped her, forcing her to go along with whatever illegal thing they are doing, well, let’s just say this young woman doesn't make the best decisions if confronted with the fact that, by doing them, she can get something she desperately wants regardless of the trouble she or they may get into. After all, someone should be the adult here, right?

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise will touch your heart from the beginning and there will be no doubt that readers are going to want to stay along for the ride. It’s just that the touching moments in the book, so many of them, are born to make readers laugh till they cry. In the end, when I really did cry I didn't know if it was because I was tickled by the whole story and laughing, or touched by it. And you know what, I think it was both.

This was an incredibly moving intergenerational friendship and road trip story between Tanner, a young co-ed who's gotten kicked out of school and Louise, the older woman with Parkinson's she's been hired to help.

Gun-toting Louise is strong-minded though and ambushes Tanner in the middle of the night, coercing her into a cross-country road trip for reasons she won't share. Along the way Tanner comes to really respect Louise (and be mildly terrified of her give no f*cks ways).

I really enjoyed learning about Louise's back story which was incredible and not at all what I was expecting! There was a bit of everything in this book from historical fiction, feminism, jewel heists, you name it! Tanner even finds a bit of romance on the road to round things out!

Great on audio and highly recommended especially for fans of books like Flying solo by Linda Holmes or other intergenerational road trip books like She's up to no good by Sara Goodman Confino or A thousand miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

CW: domestic abuse, kidnapping, gun violence (nothing graphic and all recounted from the past).

THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF TANNER AND LOUISE follows the two titular characters. Tanner is a twenty-one year old who had a bright future in sports which was derailed by an accident that ruined all her hopes. She’s bitter and struggling without the ability to get back into school without her athletic scholarship. When her mother tells her it is time to leave the family home she must find a new path.

Louise is an older woman in need of some support getting to appointments and other basics. She and her children can’t afford an actual live in nurse, but Tanner’s need for a place to live and possession of a driver’s license gives them a solution. The pair are an odd pair who don’t immediately hit it off, but there is more to Louise’s past than anyone knows and there’s a road trip needed to shake things up.

This book took me a little bit to get into initially. Neither character immediately made me love them, but I wound up really enjoying the book. Both characters have a great arc that really made me enjoy their stories. There are a lot of secrets that come out as the pair hit the road with no one else the wiser and the police must get involved.

I have really enjoyed all of Colleen Oakley’s books in the past so my expectations were high and I am so glad that this book lived up to my hopes for it! The audiobook for this one was really well done as well! THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF TANNER AND LOUISE is out today!

First off this book needs a prequel and a sequel! I’m always a big fan of inter generational friendships and this is no exception. When twenty something Tanner takes a job as a driver/errand runner for eighty-something Louise they both get more than they bargained for. Soon they are on the lam, a journey that turns into one of self discovery for Tanner and self reflection for Louise. As Oakley did in The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, she examines important social issues within the context of an unputdownable, laugh out loud, sitting on the edge of your seat story. This time she tackles domestic violence and living as a woman in today’s society. Some great lines, one of my favorites, while speaking about the way women are raised to protect themselves Louise ponders, “ Sometimes it just feels like we still spend so much time trying to teach the house not to catch on fire, instead of teaching the arsonist not to light it.”

Highly recommend

This was so much fun! I loved this story and the unlikely pairing of a sassy octogenarian and a 21-year-old suffering a bit of a quarter life crisis. Sometimes I think books that feature an extremely odd "friendship" have the potential to be too cheesy, but The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise stayed firmly in the fun and witty category.

I'll be honest and admit that I bumped this up a full star just because I loved Louise so much. She is sassy and crotchety and made me miss my Nana. Louise was really the star of the show and I adore seeing an 80 year old woman do her thing and live her life. She was a total badass and this story was a blast to read.

Sometimes a light and breezy read is just what the doctor ordered. Highly recommend going into this blind and just sitting back and enjoying the ride.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me to be an early reader.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.

One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon. Bottom line: Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.

The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?

Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.

A fun story centering around young Tanner, and old Louise. I adore books like this one- fresh and witty and heartwarming.

Out on March 28

Pub date: 3/28/23
Genre: fiction (road trip, protagonists of different ages)
Quick summary: Two very different accidents lead to college-age Tanner becoming a caretaker for senior Louise. But things get a lot more interesting when Louise insists they leave town in her classic car - immediately.

I love books about unlikely friendships, and Louise and Tanner were such a good pair! Louise was hilarious and wise-cracking, while Tanner did a great job playing the voice of reason. I loved Tanner's amateur sleuthing, trying to figure out Louise's secrets - her escapades kept me entertained. I also enjoyed how Louise helped Tanner figure out how to grow up despite her life not meeting her expectations - everyone could benefit from some Louise tough love! The ending of the story worked really well, and this was just a pleasure to read from start to finish.

I read about 50:50 text/audio, and both formats worked well, with a slight edge for the audio because Hillary Huber captured both characters' snark really well. If you enjoy stories about quirky/unusual friendships, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you to Berkley and @thoughtsfromapage podcast for providing an e-ARC and @PRHAudio for providing a complimentary audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Started out to be a fun read with a grumpy old woman and angry 21 year old thrown together out of need. When Louise finds out an old gangster is getting out of prison, she has Tanner drive her California. These two on the lam with FBI trailing them will have readers wondering what will happen next. The story tended to be drawn out with lots of details that were not important. Just an okay story.

This book was so cute! This author is sort of hit of miss for me, but this one was a hit. I loved the relationship between "Louise" and Tanner and the whole Thelma and Louise vibe but with old/young. It worked for me. I would love a sequel of some sort.

I had featured this book as one of my most anticipated reads. It gave off a serious Thelma & Louise vibe, and I am always down for an unlikely friendship. Tanner & Louise blew my expectations out of the water. What a fun and fantastic road trip I had with these two!

Louise was a pistol, and she had such an incredible history. And, wow, secrets! I am going to tell you right now, you think you know, but you don’t. I could not have anticipated the things that were revealed. Oakley really threw some surprises into the mix, and they were fantastic. I simply cannot stop gushing about Louise and her backstory. She was such a well drawn character who was multifaceted and fascinating. I would love to have her as my friend.

Tanner was going through a low point. An injury derailed her plans to become a professional soccer player, and she was also unable to afford college without her athletic scholarship. This job as Louise’s caretaker was an ultimatum from her parents, and the kick in the butt she needed to comes to terms with these big life changes. I did feel for her, and I was grateful that she had Louise to help her see things from a different perspective.

There’s quite a bit of social commentary in this book. Sometimes that wears me down, but it never seemed like soapboxing. In fact, it felt organic and fit the story. Louise’s thoughts on aging, society’s view of the elderly, and that of women were thought provoking. So much great stuff.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise had it all – great characters, mystery, shenanigans, female friendship, humor, and heart. This was a buddy caper which grabbed me from page one and never let go. I absolutely adored this book!

Louise has also been independent, that is until she broke her hip and her daughter, Jules, insisted she get a live-in caretaker. Tanner had a plan for her life as a professional soccer player, that is until she has a career-ending knee injury that lands her back at home. Left with no options, Tanner becomes caretaker to Louise and neither are happy about it. Everything changes the night Louise wakes Tanner up and insists they leave immediately- could this have anything to do with the news report Tanner saw that seemed to show Louise might be a jewel thief from the 1970s? This book was delightful! Louise is a fascinating character- she's elderly but still has the spunk and zest for life that helped her survive the past. I love how neither of them understand each other in the beginning but you see it change and grow through their forced proximity. This is a love story- a friendship that grows in the most unlikely of places. Highly recommend!

I just finished this book and gave it a secret hug. This cross-generational relationship seemed to be going in a fairly predictable direction as the author doled out details about Tanner and Louise. I came to care a good deal about them. The surprises that came in the second half of the book made the story memorable. A lesser author may have stumbled in taking the reader to the end of this enjoyable novel. I think Tanner and Louise will stick with me for a while.

My thanks to Net Galley, Penguin Random House and Cindy Burnett at Thoughts From A Page podcast or a copy of this e-book. *Pub Day March 28, 2023*

Twenty-one year old Tanner who had to drop out of college after an accident that cost her a soccer scholarship, now living at home in her parents basement playing video games. But her mom has had enough and tells she is moving out!

Eighty year old Louise took a fall and now her daughter insists she have someone live with her. The lucky girl will be Tanner. Neither are very happy about this arrangement. They settle into a routine of Tanner driving Louise to her appointments. Bored and curious, Tanner starts to look into just who this woman is. Before she has time to find out, she is awakened in the middle of the night by Louise telling her to get up, pack her bags and drive her to CA! Thus begins the wonderful, fun, curious story of Tanner & Louise. These two women are funny, the story is intriguing and delightful! Highly recommend!

This was the book I never knew I needed. It was such a fun read!! I loved the premise and the characters. I also appreciated the comedic elements. Definitely recommend this one!!

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is the quirky story that you didn’t know you needed in your life until right now…and I promise it’s one hell of a ride. I just read it in about 5 hours straight? And I literally could not put it down. I laughed SO. MUCH. Not to be confused with Thelma & Louise, this is a road trip book but our lead characters are 21 and 84 years old respectively, and I can already envision BookTok having a field day with some of Louise-isms 😅❤️ It seriously is full of heart and full of humor, and it’s just classically Colleen Oakley; she does this sooo sooo well in her books; and if you haven’t read her before (The Invisible Husband of Frick Island should 100% be on your TBR pile in the mean time but…) this will be a great way to introduce yourself to her work when it hits shelves March 28th from Berkley.

Honestly, don’t even read much else about it, go into it blind and I think you’ll have a total blast but I believe Jodi Picoult said it best in her blurb that this is a “part coming-of-age story, part contending with age” story and it just made me smile from ear to ear.

Thanks so much to Colleen and Berkley for the digital ARC.

The "Thelma and Louise" tie-ins are just a starting point of this fun book. While the two main characters may seem extremely different (elderly mother, daily drinker, secretive v. college athlete, recently injured, extremely cautious), the dynamic between them becomes so readable that I almost wanted more pages after I finished this one. Great ending that kept me guessing, and lots of twists and turns along the way.

I loved this book! Oakley created intriguing, multi-faceted characters who made me laugh and cry. It also kept me guessing and I didn’t expect the reveal at the end of the book. I was a fan of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and loved this one as well.