Sweet but not terribly compelling. As a former resident of Wauwatosa, loved the setting. ( )

Spoilers
Gay male character as a serious plot point enters at page 100. Was really enjoying the book up until that point. I can identify with Gina and her lists, and the characters are interesting... you want to see where their stories go... ( )

I have loved each of Amy Reichert's previous books and have been anxiously awaiting this one. She did not disappoint - although this book had a different feel than the rest, and I couldn't put my finger on what it was. (I couldn't put it down, either.)

The story and emotions (and oh my goodness, the teen drama) was all very relatable. Mother-daughter relationships are tricky beasts, and when you mix in loss and family secrets, it doesn't take much for things to get messier. Reichert continues to create believable, complex characters and food once again almost becomes a character itself. (It took me three days but I finally got a gorgeous, perfect grilled cheese sandwich that this book made me crave.)

The storylines and the emotions were authentic and, yes, she made me cry. This book won't disappoint.

Disclaimer: I was thrilled to get my hands on an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own. ( )

This is an intergenerational story following Lorraine, her two daughters, Vicky and Gina, and Gina’s teen daughter May. Their relationships are fraught and characterized by discord and silence. But when Lorraine suffers a stroke, things begin to change.

I really liked this book and the way Reichtert wrote these women. Gina is a young widow who uses her chef talents to run a gourmet grilled-cheese food truck. She’s hard working and afraid she’s repeating her mother’s mistakes with her own daughter, May. Gina’s always felt that her mother disapproved of her. She never wanted to spend time with the children of other members of the country club, to hair, makeup, clothes and manners. Vicky’s always been the “favorite.” She has the perfect husband, three great kids, a beautiful house in a Chicago suburb, and Lorraine’s sense of style and attention to appearance.

Despite the troubles in her life, Gina maintains a sunny outlook, which just seems to further annoy both her mother and her daughter. Vicky and Gina, despite their differences, are close sisters. They clearly love and support one another. They share the memories of their late father’s aloof manner, they way he ran the household with an iron fist, and the way their mother acquiesced without complaint. And they share a love of Roza, their childhood nanny, who has helped Lorraine keep her own secret for over forty years. She becomes the pivotal character in revealing those skeletons in the closet, and helping them all forge ahead.

It’s a delightful and heartfelt story. I find it interesting that once Lorraine loses her speech the communication between her and her daughters becomes clearer. She is forced to acknowledge the love her daughters have for her, the care they’ve provided and continue to provide, and the mistakes she’s made by keeping her secret and blindly following her husband’s wishes even after he died.

The book is divided into ten sections, each with three chapters, one each from Lorraine, Gina and May’s point of view. The ten section titles came from a list the author found in an article on “What to Ask Your Mother Before She Dies.” At a book club discussion meeting where Reichert was present, she encouraged us to ask our own parents and grandparents these questions. One attendee remarked that she is already writing her new grandchild a letter answering the questions. Great idea.

I also have to give a “warning” about the food descriptions here. Reichert’s books always have this element in them, and readers should be aware that they will find themselves craving all sorts of delicacies. Alas, this book did not contain any recipes. ( )

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Review Of
The Optimist's Guide to Letting Go by Amy E. Reichert

If there is comfort food then this is what I call a comfort book. I read this book in a little over twenty-four hours. I have read all of Amy E. Reichert's books and this latest one did not disappoint. I loved the foodie theme of the book that featured grilled cheese and brownies. Gina owns a food truck called Grilled G's while her increasingly distant and somewhat difficult daughter May is obsessed with making all kinds of brownies that sound fabulous. Gina has been recently widowed and that just completely devastated their once close knit family. Gina's mother Lorraine is a critical force to be reckoned with, unfortunately Lorraine has her reasons for being this way and her own secrets and tale to tell. Gina just cannot get past the sudden death of her husband but an unfortunate turn of events forces Gina , her sister , May and Lorraine to face truths and deal with a long buried family secret.

What a wonderful tale of mother's , daughters and the choices that they make for appearances or to keep their family safe and secure . This was a heartwarming story, like I said I call this one a "Comfort Book".This review was originally posted on My Fiction Obsession ( )