Lookin' for Love: A Novel

by Susen Edwards

Based on a compelling and sometimes tragic true story, this novel follows young mother Ava from the go-go bars of the 1970s to the heart of Florida’s drug trade to a Kenyan prison to, ultimately, a place of forgiveness, faith, and love through recovery.

Inspired by a gripping true story, Lookin’ for Love begins in 1963, when Ava, nineteen and pregnant, marries a violent alcoholic and is disowned by her abusive mother. She bears two sons, leaves her husband, and turns to go-go dancing to provide for her children, using alcohol and drugs to numb herself to the degrading work. Then she meets Mike, a charismatic drug dealer who promises to give her “a beautiful life.” They move to Florida and begin working for The Crew, one of the largest drug smuggling organizations in the country. The Crew sends Ava and Mike to Kenya to find farmers to grow marijuana—but while they’re there, their home is raided, they’re charged with international drug smuggling, and Ava is sentenced to serve time in a Kenyan prison.

After her release, Ava struggles with sobriety but soon returns to dancing, alcohol, and drugs. Eventually, she hits bottom and surrenders her will to God. Once sober, she learns the power of forgiveness, faith, and love.

Genres: Fiction

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Linda Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an Advance Reader copy of this page-turner novel by Susen Edwards. Hard to believe it was based on a true story as Ava leaves a destructive marriage and turns to a life of go-go dancing, alcohol, and drugs, unable to provide for her two sons. Still “Lookin’ for Love”, she falls for men who lead her into ever more dangerous situations, even serving time in a Kenyan prison. Edwards delivers such a gripping narrative that I found myself wondering how could this be true and how much worse can it get? How Ava finds her path to redemption is ultimately uplifting and inspiring. Highly recommended!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. I'm struggling with rating this because most of the book was really interesting, but the end got crazy religious and out of nowhere started pushing religion. It's hard to know what's true and what's not, but it certainly made for an entertaining read! If not for the ending this would have been 5 stars.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5

This book was good! It was interesting and entertaining. It's based on a true story and read like a memoir. I was intrigued by Ava's story and couldn't put the book down.

This book will take you along as Ava makes some pretty bad decisions in the 1970s. She was a single mom who needed to support her children, and sometimes, she had no other choice. Her abusive mother didn't help her situation, and the abusive men made things even worse. She was always picking the wrong man, which is how she ended up in Kenyan prison. Her addition to drugs and alcohol got out of control, and inevitably, she loses her sons. Will she ever find her way?

A raw look into the life of a woman dealing with addiction and trying to make ends meet. Ava's struggles were real and heartbreaking. I found myself completely engrossed in her life and really wanted to see her turn it around. I wanted her to find her happiness and her love. This was a well written, compelling read, and I would recommend it.

[Dawn Filos Mauro · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lookin' for Love" was. so full of twists and turns I forgot it was based on a true story multiple times while reading it. I couldn't put it down, praying that Ava's luck would turn around, and that she would make decisions that changed the course of her life for the better. The real-life Ava. was wise to entrust her life story to Susen Edwards, whose gifted writing enabled her to retell this extraordinary journey of Ava's with detailed honesty and truth like few gooks of fiction or non-fiction I have ever read. You can't help but experience the emotions of her turbulent journey as you read how Acva survived her early life, adventures and decades of struggle and heartbreak. And yet, she persevered and worked hard to rediscover herself and turn her life around. This book will remain on my list of favorites.

Note: I was given an advanced early reader copy of this book to enable me to review it prior to publication.
--Dr. Dawn Filos,
author of Tales of a Pet Vet. Stories from the Clinic and House Calls.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel reads much like a memoir. It’s a raw, realistic look at a woman whose life spirals into addiction and even the drug trafficking world.

Ava’s search for love started in her childhood, with a mother who wanted to abandon her but instead constantly criticized her. This set her up to look for love in the wrong places as Ava was drawn to bad boys. Starting at nineteen, Ava began down a path of failed marriages to men who beat her and used her, men who got her addicted to booze and cocaine. She would even become a part of The Crew, a large drug smuggling organization, which would eventually land her in a Kenyan prison.

Reading this, I was frustrated with all the bad choices Ava made, especially with her children. Yet, I wasn’t surprised given her lack of love and support as a child, and now the addiction was ruling her life. We walk with Ava through dancing in 1970s Florida go-go clubs, drug smuggling on Kenya marijuana farms, to her AA meetings and recovery.

Finding strength in recovery and the love of God, Ava's dramatic story ends on an uplifting note. This was certainly a roller coaster of a life!

Thank you @booksparks and @SusenEdwards for a gifted book. #FallPopUP

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book by the publisher and I didn't know anything about it or the author. It sounded intriguing so I dove in. And then I was hooked. How on earth did this woman, Ava, find herself in this life that she was leading?

There is so much sadness, intensity, and drama in her life and at times it was hard for me to read but if she could get through it, then so could I. What this woman went through was sometimes unbelievable. But Lookin' for Love is based on a true story so I had to keep remembering that someone's life really was like this.

It truly is amazing that Ava was able to pull herself out of her tumultuous life and turn it around for the good. This was an amazing story of a woman's resilience through unspeakable odds. I was completely invested in the drama of her life. This was a very sobering and interesting read. Check it out!

[Ashley Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s often said one can only turn one’s life around after hitting rock bottom. In Susen Edwards’s second novel, Lookin’ For Love, Ava hits low after low. Based on true events, this tragic-turned-triumphant novel underscores how the power to change one's life trajectory can be found, but only if one is willing to do the hard work involved. Recovering addicts and members of faith-based recovery programs will find a familiar—yet wholly original—protagonist to cry with and ultimately cheer for.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does a young woman end up involved in the international drug trade — and how does she come back again? In Susen Edwards’s fast-paced, unflinching novel, we travel across continents with Ava as she experiences both the worst and best of humanity, from betrayal by her nearest and dearest to unconditional kindness from strangers. This novel is a poignant and ultimately uplifting reminder that we are never too broken to begin again.

[Joanne Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lookin' For Love, author Susen Edwards delivers a gripping narrative that spans decades, immersing readers in the tumultuous journey of one woman's battle with addiction and the harrowing descent into the underbelly of society. Edwards masterfully portrays the dark allure of substance abuse and the relentless pursuit of survival against all odds. Through the highs and lows, the betrayals and redemption, this turbulent and unflinching tale is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely an interesting story! The book is based on a true story but at times it was hard to know what was true and what was not and how can it possibly get any worse. Ava has definitely had a crazy journey. But it was nice to see how she started to find a better life and be in a better place. It's a story of heartbreak, love, hope, survival and more that will keep you turning the pages! Thank you Book Sparks and Susen Edwards for sharing this book with me!

[Krista Nicholls-Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up. I thought the story was extremely interesting but I felt a bit disconnected to Ava. At times I felt like what I was reading was very “matter of fact” where I would have appreciated a touch more emotion.

Nonetheless, I really found myself enjoying the journey and felt proud and relieved that Ava was able to come to her own and thrive, regardless of obstacles and age. I would definitely recommend this book!

[Jude Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava is a child of the sixties whose journey over many decades forms a long and winding path toward what she wants out of life—thrill and adventure, love and belonging, and ultimately sobriety and salvation. Susen Edwards’ fast-paced work of modern Christian historical fiction will touch readers seeking stories of ordinary people finding faith and redemption.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy a thrilling ride that is based on a true story. This woman needs a very long vacation from life with everything she's been through. This was one of those stories that you can just sit there, hold on, and enjoy the ride. This is an inspiration to life.

[Elizabeth Harlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susen Edward’s beautiful novel, "Lookin’ for Love,' reads as a go-go dancer’s poignant memoir of overcoming rejection, abuse, prison, and addiction. I found myself riveted by Ava Novak Stanton’s heartbreaking struggle and joyous recovery supported by a small but caring cast of sympathetic friends, AA, and the Church. Ava’s torturous journey through three failed marriages takes us from New Jersey to Kenya and finally to the Southwest, where she makes her first true home and finds her calling as a nail technician and spiritual advisor to other downtrodden women. Edward’s "Lookin’ for Love" is a fast paced, credible, and deeply inspiring story of redemption that held me in its grip for the two days in which I avidly consumed every page.
Elizabeth Harlan, author of "Becoming Carly Klein"