The absolutely genius title caught my eye and I am so happy that I gave this book a chance. I really enjoyed this novel! I am thrilled to have gotten a chance to read an early review copy, and I thank the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity in exchange for my honest opinion.

Claire is a crotchety, reclusive prescriptive grammarian, a retired English professor who hides from the world in a restored barn in western Washington state. She's been roped in to teaching an adult education creative writing class, which forces her to interact with far more people than she'd like. I loved her character and often laughed out loud at her thoughts, speech, and actions. The knowledge she shared with her students was surprisingly insightful and informative and I learned a great deal from those interactions. I also liked reading about Claire's days as an activist in her youth and witnessing how those beliefs shaped her as an individual. Her misanthropy is profoundly relatable given the context of her views. Even though it touches on some deep issues, the story is light and easy to get caught up in, and I read this very quickly. Highly recommended!

This is a lovely book. It has truly captivating characters and a story which is uplifting and engaging. The references to various literary works make for a terrific sideline rabbit warren to trip down and the historical references to the culture of the 1970s was absolutely fascinating. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and how the main character’s story gradually emerged. Yes, it is a bit predictable and some of the plot lines are incredibly convenient, but that’s fine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Claire Maguire, a formidable writing teacher in her mid-seventies, who is happy with her solitary life in a rented barn/loft. However, she is forced back into teaching when the landlord needs her to take over her classes as she and her husband must go interstate to care for ailing in-laws. After scaring most of her students away, those that remain enjoy a wonderful semester with Claire. There is nothing like a change in circumstances to open up one’s life and Claire unexpectedly falls in love with teaching again as well as allowing more people into her life.

Character-driven, this story creeps into your being so that Claire becomes a friend you embrace with joy.

Claire Maguire is in her seventies, a retired English teacher, and one of those wonderfully curmudgeonly women I enjoy reading about. She lives alone in a loft above a barn, with no husband or children, and has largely withdrawn from the world. Deeply antisocial, her only pleasures seem to be books, writing, and the English language — and correcting everyone else’s grammar, often not so silently. When Helen, the woman whose property Claire lives on, asks her to take over a summer writing class at the community center, Claire reluctantly agrees. Almost immediately, something begins to change. Surrounded by a handful of women of different ages and backgrounds, Claire slowly reconnects with the teacher and the person she used to be. As she comes out of her shell, we discover that there is a story behind her bitterness and a reason she abandoned the passions she once had. She even finds herself in an unexpected romance! I have enjoyed author Dave Boling’s historical fiction, and was so surprised by how different this book felt! Claire is smart, funny, painfully honest, and occasionally a bit of a know-it-all, but never in a way that made me dislike her. Of course, give me a book about books, writing, and grammar, and I am already won over. Claire reminded me of the infamous Olive Kitteridge and, more recently, Mad Mabel. She is that same kind of grumpy woman whose sharp edges are hiding a much more complicated history. These are the women I always want to know more about. A wonderful, enjoyable book that seems to be flying under the radar, it is simply perfect to enjoy those last days of summer! And yes, I am aware that Claire would certainly delete my many exclamation points, but that's a risk I am willing to take! Lol.

At first, Claire Maguire seems impossible to like. A seventy-five-year-old retired English professor, she spends her days correcting grammatical mistakes, mailing unsolicited edits to strangers, and keeping the rest of the world firmly at arm's length. Armed with her red pen and sharp opinions, she's perfectly content to live alone in her converted hayloft with only a curious barn mouse for company.

But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Claire's prickly exterior is protecting wounds that have never truly healed. Through an unexpected community writing class, a handful of unconventional students, and the persistence of an ex-logger named Wil Hedlund, Claire finds herself drawn back into the world she has spent decades avoiding.

What I loved most about this novel was Claire's transformation. The author doesn't rush her journey or suddenly make her into a different person. Instead, we slowly learn what shaped her loneliness and reluctance to connect with others. Watching her let down her guard, confront her past, and discover that companionship can arrive in unexpected forms was both believable and deeply rewarding.

Wil is a wonderful counterpart to Claire. His warmth, humor, and quiet strength provide exactly the balance the story needs, and their friendship is one of the book's highlights.

While the novel centers on grammar, books, and writing, it's really about second chances, healing old wounds, and realizing that it's never too late to open your heart to other people. Claire may start out as a cranky old woman determined to keep everyone away, but by the end I was rooting for her completely.

A charming, thoughtful, and surprisingly heartfelt story with a memorable protagonist who proves that personal growth doesn't have an expiration date. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels and stories about finding connection when you least expect it.

I really enjoyed this book. As an old English teacher myself, I could relate to so many of Claire's classes. I actually got a chuckle out of her methods for teaching because they reminded me so much of myself. I loved the romance between her and someone who was her opposite. Overall, I found the story thought-provoking and inspiring. You're never too old!

This was a deeply moving story that oddly serves as a meta analysis of its own self but in the most beautiful, humble way.

The kind of story you're scared to pick up, but one that gives you hope along with the hurt. And hurt it does.

The author, through the words of the protagonist tells us that Wil is one of those side characters you'd note for a small quirky role, but in the end he is every bit the hero we all deserve in our lives. The cursing, stocky, weed smoking, tobacco spitting, pseudo-toxically masculine man will steal your heart.

Claire herself is a force, even when she is hiding, fighting everyone and everything. She is the kind of woman I hope I become, in a good way.

The characters surrounding our 70+ year old MMCs are heart warming. The students, Chet, all stand to show that our lives are fuller with connections that matter.

This is an ode to life, to age, to wisdom, to our pain that shapes us and to the spirit that refuses to give up. A stark reminder of those who have fought the war we're fighting now and did it well. It reminds us that the fighters need not be perfect, just present & persistent.

A book you'll keep in your home library and revisit for years to come. Highly recommended reading!!

A wonderful read teeming with writing references and tips! I loved the story, Claire's character and how she changes gradually with every experience. Well written, realistic and delightful.

As a retired English teacher, I could relate to many of Claire’s feelings about grammar and writing and felt a strong connection with the protagonist in Claire McGuire Is Correcting Your Grammar by Dave Boling. However, what delighted me about the story was joining her on her journey to become the Claire she thought she had lost.

Dave Bohling creates a metaphor in Claire Mcguire is Correcting Your Grammar by establishing a correlation between her black and white thinking about grammar and writing, and her rigid thinking about people and their intentions. As the story moves forward, these attitudes about both writing and people relax. She becomes more open-minded and positive in her outlook.

In the exposition, 74 year-old Claire is a retired curmudgeon who wants little to do with people. She is most content living an isolated life, correcting and sending grammar mistakes to various publications. Through flashbacks to her twenties and back to the present, the reader comes to understand how and why she has this attitude.

Her adult students grow to trust and care for their grumpy teacher, looking to her for writing advice that carries valuable life lessons. The characters I delight in the most are Chet and his uncle, Wil. Chet is goofy and bends over backwards to help others. Wil, like Claire, does not get on with people. In fact, he is often combative; yet, with Claire we see a more sensitive side. Something about her entices him. I love his “I don’t give a damn” attitude that he wears over his softer, more caring side. He is passionate about what is just and loudly shares his feelings with the City Council or any one who will listen.

Both Claire and Wil quietly and slowly develop a supportive and loving relationship. Bohling is not in a hurry for the characters to connect. He gives them time to learn each other… to trust each other which feels true to their characters. After a scene with her sister and brother-in-law toward the end of the novel, the reader becomes aware of the reasons for the wall she has built around herself; but, it is also after this scene that Claire truly lets others into her life.

I was taken off guard by the ending and ended up needing kleenex. I would have liked to see more time for Wil and Claire to be together.

I enjoyed visiting these characters and watching them grow. I would definitely encourage anyone who likes a solid story laced with sarcasm and humor to read Claire Mcguire is Correcting Your Grammar.