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The Calico Cat
At thirteen, Lottie discovers a huge secret which her parents have kept from her, the impact of which proves to be life-changing. Because of the way Lottie’s mother handles the consequent fall-out, the two become distant. Lottie’s rejected by her mother and deemed troublesome, rude and wilful. Ever since then, Lottie has struggled with fitting in and actively tries to be different from others. As an adult, Lottie decides to quit her teaching job and follow her dreams to become an artist. But will she succeed and can she put her troubled past behind her? As Lottie embarks on a journey of self-discovery she will come to examine the importance of life, love and friendship.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2018
32 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Amanda James
24 books218 followersAmanda James (aka Mandy) was born in Sheffield and now lives in Cornwall with her husband and a cat. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, singing, and spending lots of time with her grandchildren. She also admits to spending far too much time chatting on Twitter and Facebook! Amanda feels most at home walking on the beach and making plots up in her head. A fair amount of these have made it onto paper, and been turned into books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 4, 2018
5☆ A Compelling and Beautiful Read!
First of all I want to say how gorgeous the cover is. I'm an animal lover and it drew me straight in.
The Calico Cat is a beautiful coming of age story, a story of new beginnings and self discovery and learning to accept.
When Lottie was 13 she discovers a devastating secret that will change her life and the way she fits in growing up.
My heart went out to Lottie after discovering the secret her whole world was flipped upside down it's no wonder her personality changes. What with dealing with teenage hormones too.
What makes matters much worse is how her Mum deals with the fall out. Instead of talking to Lottie and helping her come to terms with her emotions she makes matters much worse. She behaves disgracefully.
It's no wonder Lottie rebels. Causing a rift between them. Mum's are meant to be your rock it's so sad.
Fast forward and Lottie is now a teacher. Unsure whether it's really what she wants to do, she walks out on her teaching job and decides to follow her true passion to become an artist like her grandmother.
What follows next is a heart warming journey of self discovery and new beginnings as Lottie discovers who she really is, putting her past to rest.
The Calico Cat is a compelling and heart warming read it's an engrossing, irresistible story that will leave am impression.
There are some sensitive subjects and Amanda has written them realistically and with sensitivity.
The Characters are somewhat flawed, unique but believable.
I highly recommend this Poignant read, it truly is a beautiful book written by a very talented Author.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
First of all I want to say how gorgeous the cover is. I'm an animal lover and it drew me straight in.
The Calico Cat is a beautiful coming of age story, a story of new beginnings and self discovery and learning to accept.
When Lottie was 13 she discovers a devastating secret that will change her life and the way she fits in growing up.
My heart went out to Lottie after discovering the secret her whole world was flipped upside down it's no wonder her personality changes. What with dealing with teenage hormones too.
What makes matters much worse is how her Mum deals with the fall out. Instead of talking to Lottie and helping her come to terms with her emotions she makes matters much worse. She behaves disgracefully.
It's no wonder Lottie rebels. Causing a rift between them. Mum's are meant to be your rock it's so sad.
Fast forward and Lottie is now a teacher. Unsure whether it's really what she wants to do, she walks out on her teaching job and decides to follow her true passion to become an artist like her grandmother.
What follows next is a heart warming journey of self discovery and new beginnings as Lottie discovers who she really is, putting her past to rest.
The Calico Cat is a compelling and heart warming read it's an engrossing, irresistible story that will leave am impression.
There are some sensitive subjects and Amanda has written them realistically and with sensitivity.
The Characters are somewhat flawed, unique but believable.
I highly recommend this Poignant read, it truly is a beautiful book written by a very talented Author.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
May 23, 2018
I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what a Calico Cat looked like even though we are told in the book, but as the title had me so intrigued I couldn't wait and had to go in search of some images myself. After numerous gorgeous cat and kitten images, I would certainly be able to spot one a mile off!
The actual cover ties in with the wonderful setting in the book. The author writes best about the surrounding areas where she herself is from and this really shines through in her writing. I felt like I could easily see everything as it was described to me and it makes for quite an atmospheric read.
Lottie is quite an odd ball. She seems quite rigid in her ways and yet a bit of a free spirit. She likes to speak her mind, which at times did make me cringe, though she only really says what a lot of us are thinking. Some parts I would be cheering her on for speaking exactly what I wouldn't have the nerve to say and at other times I was willing her to keep quiet as I was dreading how the other person would take it.
The story is told in the first person by Lottie herself. I enjoyed finding out about her past and seeing her develop as a character. There are numerous lovely characters that we get to meet along the way of which Caleb and Louisa had to be my favourites.
The Calico Cat for me is a journey of self discovery and going with your heart. It's about overcoming past issues and finding peace within yourself. A tender and engaging read of which I was reluctant for it to end.
My thanks to Bombshell Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The actual cover ties in with the wonderful setting in the book. The author writes best about the surrounding areas where she herself is from and this really shines through in her writing. I felt like I could easily see everything as it was described to me and it makes for quite an atmospheric read.
Lottie is quite an odd ball. She seems quite rigid in her ways and yet a bit of a free spirit. She likes to speak her mind, which at times did make me cringe, though she only really says what a lot of us are thinking. Some parts I would be cheering her on for speaking exactly what I wouldn't have the nerve to say and at other times I was willing her to keep quiet as I was dreading how the other person would take it.
The story is told in the first person by Lottie herself. I enjoyed finding out about her past and seeing her develop as a character. There are numerous lovely characters that we get to meet along the way of which Caleb and Louisa had to be my favourites.
The Calico Cat for me is a journey of self discovery and going with your heart. It's about overcoming past issues and finding peace within yourself. A tender and engaging read of which I was reluctant for it to end.
My thanks to Bombshell Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 5, 2018
This is my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be looking to read more from this author in the future.
Lottie learns of a family secret when she’s thirteen years old. The secret changes her life.
Now as an adult Lottie is a teacher. One day she just walks out of her job to follow her dreams of being an artist.
I found this to be a great read of self discovery. The Calico Cat is a refreshing well written story. I loved the secondary characters and felt they added so much to the story.
A perfect beach read or as I did a perfect read sitting out in the garden enjoying the sun.
Lottie learns of a family secret when she’s thirteen years old. The secret changes her life.
Now as an adult Lottie is a teacher. One day she just walks out of her job to follow her dreams of being an artist.
I found this to be a great read of self discovery. The Calico Cat is a refreshing well written story. I loved the secondary characters and felt they added so much to the story.
A perfect beach read or as I did a perfect read sitting out in the garden enjoying the sun.
June 17, 2018
This is my first ARC received from NetGalley and my first ebook I have read. I didn’t expect anything from this book when I picked it and received it. I just gave it a shot and see if I’ll like it or not. Well… I was surprised that I LOVED this book!
Author created such life like characters and the way Charlotte was expressing her thoughts in the book- it seemed like she was communicating with the reader… speaking with YOU and telling her story just for YOU.
Another thing why I loved this book so much was… POSITIVITY. This book is soaked in it. No matter what painful events the main character had in the book, she manages to live on, fall in love, and find positive and inspiring people that help her to find her true happiness. This book is so warm that you can literally feel and see what she experiences.
Also, I found so many quotes in this book that I can’t agree more. And if I find many quotes that I like in the book- it means this book “had something in it”.
Summing-up: warm, positive, inspiring, happy end.
June 5, 2018
After a crime thriller, this is the perfect read for me. Warm, honest, touching on dysfunctional families (I know quite a bit about them!) and friendship.
We meet Lottie as an adult and it soon becomes obvious that what relationship she has with her mother is not a happy one. Slowly, throughout the story we are let into what Lottie refers to as 'the big fat secret' of what went wrong fifteen years ago when she was a new teenager. Labelled as a 'journey of self-discovery', this truly is exactly that.
A warm, comforting read and a thoughtful one where my admiration for Lottie increased throughout this story as she herself grew. The characters are fabulous; varied, different, from all walks of life but all down-to-earth in their own way. There are ups and downs - as indeed there are everyday for all of us. Lottie herself has a very direct way of looking at life and I found myself both agreeing with her and giggling at her observations. She is very likeable! Amanda James is definitely an author to look out for.
This is the kind of novel which makes you look at those around you and think about what kind of relationship you have with them. The writing flows beautifully and makes for compelling reading. I was sad to reach the final page, but then all good things come to an end, don't they? I certainly couldn't improve on this book in any way whatsoever, and am delighted to give it five well deserved stars.
My thanks to publishers Bombshell Books for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
We meet Lottie as an adult and it soon becomes obvious that what relationship she has with her mother is not a happy one. Slowly, throughout the story we are let into what Lottie refers to as 'the big fat secret' of what went wrong fifteen years ago when she was a new teenager. Labelled as a 'journey of self-discovery', this truly is exactly that.
A warm, comforting read and a thoughtful one where my admiration for Lottie increased throughout this story as she herself grew. The characters are fabulous; varied, different, from all walks of life but all down-to-earth in their own way. There are ups and downs - as indeed there are everyday for all of us. Lottie herself has a very direct way of looking at life and I found myself both agreeing with her and giggling at her observations. She is very likeable! Amanda James is definitely an author to look out for.
This is the kind of novel which makes you look at those around you and think about what kind of relationship you have with them. The writing flows beautifully and makes for compelling reading. I was sad to reach the final page, but then all good things come to an end, don't they? I certainly couldn't improve on this book in any way whatsoever, and am delighted to give it five well deserved stars.
My thanks to publishers Bombshell Books for approving my request via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
August 7, 2018
This was a different read where the main character Lottie, decides to take control of her life. She leaves her class in the middle and takes steps to achieve her dream of becoming an artist.
She goes on a holiday with a friend and meets a lot of characters in this journey of life. There is an added mystery too in this story.
It is the characters and Lottie herself which make this book a good read. I skim read the book to read the parts which had an emotional impact on me.
Overall an okay read
She goes on a holiday with a friend and meets a lot of characters in this journey of life. There is an added mystery too in this story.
It is the characters and Lottie herself which make this book a good read. I skim read the book to read the parts which had an emotional impact on me.
Overall an okay read
April 21, 2020
This is a story of self-discovery and acceptance, along with the chance to find love for the first time. I can relate to Lottie, I had a crappy childhood at times in different ways. Yet, I did find Lottie a bit irritating at times, I completely get that everyone deals with trauma in different ways but I found sometimes her behaviour a bit “off” and I did struggle to understand where she was coming from. However, about halfway through the story, something clicked between me and Lottie, maybe it was because she started to see life in a different light. She began to see that maybe her behaviour was not entirely just. Don’t get me wrong, she opened my eyes up to a few things. She asked questions which I had not thought of before and she was quite right with some of them.
However, she meets Louisa and what a change! She is the family she never had. Lottie’s real mother is absolutely despicable and such an awful person, you can see why Lottie closes herself off from the world and people. It is the grand story of nature vs nurture and which is the strongest to win out and like I said everyone deals with it in their own way. Like Lottie, I knew the type of person I did not want to be, yet, sometimes it seeps back in when you least expect. Not only does she meet Louisa, I just had to single her out, but on her walking holiday, she meets different people who impact her life and decisions without her even realising it. The interaction with these people are the building blocks on her journey.
I just did not know where the book was going, but the journey is one to hold dear to your heart. The growth of Lottie is one to admire, from not knowing what she wanted, and what she did not want. However, when she goes on a walking holiday with Caleb, a guy she use to work with, she discovers so much more and unfortunately, more betrayal which rocks her hard.
I tell you what though, I want my own Louisa. What a gorgeous soul. A woman who has lost what she holds dear and still finds a way to open her heart to people. She nudges Lottie as if she is a mouse finding the way to a slice of cheese. Small nudges in the right direction, asking her questions that she doesn’t want to face and ends up getting that dreaded word “closure.”
This is another book which is nothing like anything else that Mandy as written. Like a Calico cat, you can not pigeonhole this book. It is unique, it is sassy, it is independent but it is a lovely book, it is loyal to its course and it accepts that it is what it is, beautiful and uplifting.
However, she meets Louisa and what a change! She is the family she never had. Lottie’s real mother is absolutely despicable and such an awful person, you can see why Lottie closes herself off from the world and people. It is the grand story of nature vs nurture and which is the strongest to win out and like I said everyone deals with it in their own way. Like Lottie, I knew the type of person I did not want to be, yet, sometimes it seeps back in when you least expect. Not only does she meet Louisa, I just had to single her out, but on her walking holiday, she meets different people who impact her life and decisions without her even realising it. The interaction with these people are the building blocks on her journey.
I just did not know where the book was going, but the journey is one to hold dear to your heart. The growth of Lottie is one to admire, from not knowing what she wanted, and what she did not want. However, when she goes on a walking holiday with Caleb, a guy she use to work with, she discovers so much more and unfortunately, more betrayal which rocks her hard.
I tell you what though, I want my own Louisa. What a gorgeous soul. A woman who has lost what she holds dear and still finds a way to open her heart to people. She nudges Lottie as if she is a mouse finding the way to a slice of cheese. Small nudges in the right direction, asking her questions that she doesn’t want to face and ends up getting that dreaded word “closure.”
This is another book which is nothing like anything else that Mandy as written. Like a Calico cat, you can not pigeonhole this book. It is unique, it is sassy, it is independent but it is a lovely book, it is loyal to its course and it accepts that it is what it is, beautiful and uplifting.
June 4, 2018
Charlotte has had enough of her job and just walked out. She decides to follow in her grandmothers footsteps and become an artist. Her very vocal and disapproving mother doesn’t approve and believes Charlotte is making a big mistake.
Oh this is a book that I adored and so very different to the couple of other books I have previously read by this author. Set in beautiful Cornwall I got to meet Charlotte, or Lottie as she prefers to be called, and learn of her story. She tells of her family life from a teenager to present day. There have been changes, teen rebellion but also of a dramatic change in her family that still has a hold over her and her feelings. Lottie is not quiet or timid, she is quite vocal in her beliefs and extremely principled with a very matter of fact way in her conversation and thoughts, with an interesting way of voicing her opinion. I would say she is the sort of person that would be very easy to misunderstand, but that is the way she is and it is quite refreshing.
A chance of a holiday with a friend gives Lottie a chance to meet various people from different walks of life. Their experiences help Lottie to realise that there are different perspectives in all things. That sometimes in life a broader outlook is needed rather than a narrower tunnel version. She has to deal with
This is a gentle amble around the Cornish coastline and also Lotties life, it mixes elements of the dramatic landscape and personal heartache with hope and moving forward, with new starts and beginnings. The plot and story of how Lottie and those in her life has been done in a wonderful way that gradually drew me in. I wanted to know more about her and why she reacts the way she does, it held my attention and I loved being immersed in her world for the few hours it took me to read it. This also has a romantic theme, it is not your lovey-dovey, gushy sort as that wouldn’t fit with Lottie.
A book that was the perfect read for a sunny May day and that I think is perfect for readers of women’s fiction, contemporary fiction and romance. It is a book I would highly recommend.
Oh this is a book that I adored and so very different to the couple of other books I have previously read by this author. Set in beautiful Cornwall I got to meet Charlotte, or Lottie as she prefers to be called, and learn of her story. She tells of her family life from a teenager to present day. There have been changes, teen rebellion but also of a dramatic change in her family that still has a hold over her and her feelings. Lottie is not quiet or timid, she is quite vocal in her beliefs and extremely principled with a very matter of fact way in her conversation and thoughts, with an interesting way of voicing her opinion. I would say she is the sort of person that would be very easy to misunderstand, but that is the way she is and it is quite refreshing.
A chance of a holiday with a friend gives Lottie a chance to meet various people from different walks of life. Their experiences help Lottie to realise that there are different perspectives in all things. That sometimes in life a broader outlook is needed rather than a narrower tunnel version. She has to deal with
This is a gentle amble around the Cornish coastline and also Lotties life, it mixes elements of the dramatic landscape and personal heartache with hope and moving forward, with new starts and beginnings. The plot and story of how Lottie and those in her life has been done in a wonderful way that gradually drew me in. I wanted to know more about her and why she reacts the way she does, it held my attention and I loved being immersed in her world for the few hours it took me to read it. This also has a romantic theme, it is not your lovey-dovey, gushy sort as that wouldn’t fit with Lottie.
A book that was the perfect read for a sunny May day and that I think is perfect for readers of women’s fiction, contemporary fiction and romance. It is a book I would highly recommend.
June 28, 2018
Every stressed out teacher at some point of their career has wondered, "What would I do if I threw in the towel and decided to try something else?" In this book, "The Calico Cat," the author shows us a teacher who does exactly that. Right from the start, I was amazed at the main character's bravery and independence. Lottie gets up during the middle of the history class she is teaching, leaves the building, and heads straight towards her dream of becoming an artist like her grandmother. Luckily, Lottie has some inherited money so she can get by for awhile as she figures out her next steps in life. She befriends a former co-worker and they set off on a walking holiday together where Lottie meets other characters who help her in her road to self-discovery.
One of the things I liked about this book was Lottie's "voice." I felt like I was in the same room as Lottie and she was telling me her story. She even had me chuckling aloud at times. The author's use of metaphors and imagery really helped to paint a picture in my mind of the setting and characters of the book. One of my favorite examples of this imagery is the following line: "It's one of those humid August afternoons that have skies heavy with pregnant clouds. They are full-term and desperate to give birth."
Additionally, the author did an excellent job of keeping me in suspense. What was the secret revealed to her at age 13 by her parents? What happened to her after this reveal that dramatically influenced the rest of her life? I really felt hooked from the start and wanted to keep reading to find out if Lottie would get her "happily ever after."
Thanks to Bombshell Books and Net Galley for an advanced reader's copy of this book. I feel like I have presented an honest opinion of this book in my review.
One of the things I liked about this book was Lottie's "voice." I felt like I was in the same room as Lottie and she was telling me her story. She even had me chuckling aloud at times. The author's use of metaphors and imagery really helped to paint a picture in my mind of the setting and characters of the book. One of my favorite examples of this imagery is the following line: "It's one of those humid August afternoons that have skies heavy with pregnant clouds. They are full-term and desperate to give birth."
Additionally, the author did an excellent job of keeping me in suspense. What was the secret revealed to her at age 13 by her parents? What happened to her after this reveal that dramatically influenced the rest of her life? I really felt hooked from the start and wanted to keep reading to find out if Lottie would get her "happily ever after."
Thanks to Bombshell Books and Net Galley for an advanced reader's copy of this book. I feel like I have presented an honest opinion of this book in my review.
July 13, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here: Some reviews fairly write themselves while others, like this one, are arduous. I cannot put my paw on what made it so hard for me to like Lottie or care about her for the first half of the book. True her mother is the definition of a horrible “cow”, to coin the British expression. Lottie has good reason not to trust and to be damaged by her mother but until she starts to interact with the people who will change her perspective and allow her to learn the value of love and friendship, she is an unsympathetic character.
As I say, that changes when she and her boyfriend Caleb go on their walking holiday. Her reclamation into the human race is anything but instant. She is going to stumble and crumble and rise again, like a phoenix...or perhaps a calico cat. The cat is a construct, not a living breathing feline. It is representative of her journey. I kept waiting for her to go to a shelter and find a cat to adopt. I would hope the character would do so after the end of the book. I realize, being a cat, I might be a tad biased.
She is lucky to meet some wonderful characters in the second half of the story, including her brother James, his wife Beth and Louisa who becomes the mum Lottie never had. The reader is lucky too because they breathe life and passion and kindness into the story. it made the rest of the book light up for me. Because the first half was difficult but the second half delightful, I must give it a middling rating. It is worth the effort but will not be frothy beach reading.
I give it three and a half purrs and one paw up.
As I say, that changes when she and her boyfriend Caleb go on their walking holiday. Her reclamation into the human race is anything but instant. She is going to stumble and crumble and rise again, like a phoenix...or perhaps a calico cat. The cat is a construct, not a living breathing feline. It is representative of her journey. I kept waiting for her to go to a shelter and find a cat to adopt. I would hope the character would do so after the end of the book. I realize, being a cat, I might be a tad biased.
She is lucky to meet some wonderful characters in the second half of the story, including her brother James, his wife Beth and Louisa who becomes the mum Lottie never had. The reader is lucky too because they breathe life and passion and kindness into the story. it made the rest of the book light up for me. Because the first half was difficult but the second half delightful, I must give it a middling rating. It is worth the effort but will not be frothy beach reading.
I give it three and a half purrs and one paw up.
July 16, 2019
The first line of this engaging novel hooked me from the start: “When I was eleven years old, I asked my mother if I could have a calico cat.” I love cats, have had two sweet dilute calicos of my own, so I HAD to know more about sensitive, feline-loving Lottie. THE CALICO CAT follows her on a beautifully told journey of self-discovery from prepubescence into adulthood. Highly recommended!
Grateful to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#TheCalicoCat #NetGalley
Grateful to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#TheCalicoCat #NetGalley
March 27, 2024
The Calico Cat by Amanda James is a 2018 publication.
This book has been on my TBR list since 2018- so, I’d long forgotten anything specific about it that prompted me to add it- except, of course, that I was drawn to it because of the title and cover art.
As it turns out, the synopsis didn’t really capture the gravity of the story, so I got something a little different from the usual contemporary fiction novel I’d been expecting.
After her grandmother died, Lottie has no one she can trust, other than herself. She takes this to the extreme though, but mostly it’s a coping mechanism designed to protect herself. Still, it is quite sad that she refuses to allow herself to get close to anyone. She has no deep connection to anyone- but...
When she decides to pursue her dream, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will eventually lead her to a better understanding of her life- as it will for others who had no idea the trauma she endured growing up.
The road is still occasionally fraught, as well-meaning people make a few colossal blunders-but Lottie also meets up with mature, stable people who prove that though people can be flawed they can also be counted on to come through, to be steadfast in their support and to love unconditionally.
I read through a few reviews, briefly, after I finished this book, to see if anyone else had been taken by surprise by the story, considering the lovely cover and title.
Some felt it was a gentle story, but I feel I’d be remiss if I did not point out the dark undertones that address some trigger-y topics like self-harm, for example.
There is self-destructive behavior, dark thoughts, violent actions all centered around some intense emotional abuse- which left Lottie emotionally stunted, as a result. So, while the story is unique, a bit quirky, and ends on a heart-warming, inspirational- though realistic-note- it’s not exactly the light-hearted romance one might be led to believe it is.
Despite all that, I ended up liking the story a lot and do recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about personal growth and self-discovery- about friendship and family- and with a just a dash of romance.
I appreciated the author’s approach and felt the story was well-executed- with fantastic character development. It was unconventional, but that’s what made it stand out and kept me invested in the characters and caring about what happened to them.
Overall, a bit offbeat- but in a good way. I loved the allegory with the calico cat, and felt the author paralleled it quite nicely- and despite some dark passages and depressing periods, the story still qualifies as a ‘feel-good’ story in the end.
4 stars
This book has been on my TBR list since 2018- so, I’d long forgotten anything specific about it that prompted me to add it- except, of course, that I was drawn to it because of the title and cover art.
As it turns out, the synopsis didn’t really capture the gravity of the story, so I got something a little different from the usual contemporary fiction novel I’d been expecting.
After her grandmother died, Lottie has no one she can trust, other than herself. She takes this to the extreme though, but mostly it’s a coping mechanism designed to protect herself. Still, it is quite sad that she refuses to allow herself to get close to anyone. She has no deep connection to anyone- but...
When she decides to pursue her dream, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will eventually lead her to a better understanding of her life- as it will for others who had no idea the trauma she endured growing up.
The road is still occasionally fraught, as well-meaning people make a few colossal blunders-but Lottie also meets up with mature, stable people who prove that though people can be flawed they can also be counted on to come through, to be steadfast in their support and to love unconditionally.
I read through a few reviews, briefly, after I finished this book, to see if anyone else had been taken by surprise by the story, considering the lovely cover and title.
Some felt it was a gentle story, but I feel I’d be remiss if I did not point out the dark undertones that address some trigger-y topics like self-harm, for example.
There is self-destructive behavior, dark thoughts, violent actions all centered around some intense emotional abuse- which left Lottie emotionally stunted, as a result. So, while the story is unique, a bit quirky, and ends on a heart-warming, inspirational- though realistic-note- it’s not exactly the light-hearted romance one might be led to believe it is.
Despite all that, I ended up liking the story a lot and do recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about personal growth and self-discovery- about friendship and family- and with a just a dash of romance.
I appreciated the author’s approach and felt the story was well-executed- with fantastic character development. It was unconventional, but that’s what made it stand out and kept me invested in the characters and caring about what happened to them.
Overall, a bit offbeat- but in a good way. I loved the allegory with the calico cat, and felt the author paralleled it quite nicely- and despite some dark passages and depressing periods, the story still qualifies as a ‘feel-good’ story in the end.
4 stars
August 30, 2021
Yikes. As my millellial-aged kid said, "it sounds like a 30 year old's Tumblr". While there are smatterings of lovely prose describing nature and food, the protagonist is so poorly written, and so unlikeable, that this was a very annoying slog. After coming into a considerable inheritance, 28-year old Lottie abruptly abandons her career teaching high school history. She decides to become a professional painter despite having little prior experience. Along the way she criticizes and punishes others, even those who applaud her efforts, and tries to justify herself by rattling off righteous platitudes and recommending we read Antonio Gramsci. She repeatedly bangs the reader over the head with declarations of how "different" she is, how forthright and fearless, about her "turning points", her "big fat secret" (BFS), and ostensibly how very damaged she is by her narcissistic mother. She epitomizes the whiny, entitled trust-fund kid who hyperbolizes perceived indignities.
Spoilers below:
Everyone in this novel who is portrayed with any sympathy agrees that cutting someone's hair off while they sleep and setting a building ablaze are appropriate responses to feeling unloved by a narcissistic parent, despite there having been no substance abuse, neglect, physical, or sexual abuse. Just bizarre. Read like the diary of someone with borderline personality disorder.
Spoilers below:
Everyone in this novel who is portrayed with any sympathy agrees that cutting someone's hair off while they sleep and setting a building ablaze are appropriate responses to feeling unloved by a narcissistic parent, despite there having been no substance abuse, neglect, physical, or sexual abuse. Just bizarre. Read like the diary of someone with borderline personality disorder.
December 19, 2022
You can't get it on the kindle I was looking forward to read this book x
March 6, 2024
This is a nice story. I like the setting. This book has a good message.
June 3, 2018
An affecting, emotional and beguiling tale that will pluck at the heartstrings, touch your soul and make you ponder, The Calico Cat is a wonderful tale of secrets, self-discovery and courage from Amanda James, a fantastic writer with a terrific talent from plumbing the depths of the human heart.
When thirteen year old Lottie discovers a shocking secret, her entire life changes in a heartbeat. Shocked that her parents had kept something of this magnitude from her, Lottie’s attitude changes overnight and she becomes rude, hard-headed, troublesome and defies authority at every turn. With her mother handling the consequent fall-out from this time-bomb in an appalling and atrocious manner, their relationship becomes strained and distant and their bond is severed forever. Changed by this sudden turn of events, Lottie soon begins to have problems fitting in and does her absolute utmost to be different from her peers and to shock and scandalise those around her.
Now an adult, Lottie has become a teacher with a desperate yearning to become an artist. When one day, she walks out of her classroom and keeps on walking, Lottie realises that the time has come for her to follow her dream, so she quits her job and decides to try her hardest to make her childhood dream a reality. But on her journey to achieve her objective, she realises that in order to succeed she must first put the past behind her and vanquish those old ghosts that have held her back for so long.
Is happiness within reach for Lottie? Will the past continue to exert its malevolent hold upon her? Or will she find the courage to strive for the fulfillment which she has been craving for so long?
The Calico Cat is a book that is guaranteed to stay with you for a very long time. Although it is far from an easy read, The Calico Cat is a thought-provoking, uplifting and captivating novel that kept me riveted to the page as I was swept up in Lottie’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle to lay old ghosts to rest.
I thought Lottie was a wonderful heroine. Believable, flawed, independent and resilient, she is a character you can relate to and cheer on as she has fears and experiences that we can empathize with.
Amanda James has written a visceral, lyrical and scintillating work that I highly recommend. The Calico Cat is a book to treasure and one which will strike a chord with readers everywhere.
When thirteen year old Lottie discovers a shocking secret, her entire life changes in a heartbeat. Shocked that her parents had kept something of this magnitude from her, Lottie’s attitude changes overnight and she becomes rude, hard-headed, troublesome and defies authority at every turn. With her mother handling the consequent fall-out from this time-bomb in an appalling and atrocious manner, their relationship becomes strained and distant and their bond is severed forever. Changed by this sudden turn of events, Lottie soon begins to have problems fitting in and does her absolute utmost to be different from her peers and to shock and scandalise those around her.
Now an adult, Lottie has become a teacher with a desperate yearning to become an artist. When one day, she walks out of her classroom and keeps on walking, Lottie realises that the time has come for her to follow her dream, so she quits her job and decides to try her hardest to make her childhood dream a reality. But on her journey to achieve her objective, she realises that in order to succeed she must first put the past behind her and vanquish those old ghosts that have held her back for so long.
Is happiness within reach for Lottie? Will the past continue to exert its malevolent hold upon her? Or will she find the courage to strive for the fulfillment which she has been craving for so long?
The Calico Cat is a book that is guaranteed to stay with you for a very long time. Although it is far from an easy read, The Calico Cat is a thought-provoking, uplifting and captivating novel that kept me riveted to the page as I was swept up in Lottie’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle to lay old ghosts to rest.
I thought Lottie was a wonderful heroine. Believable, flawed, independent and resilient, she is a character you can relate to and cheer on as she has fears and experiences that we can empathize with.
Amanda James has written a visceral, lyrical and scintillating work that I highly recommend. The Calico Cat is a book to treasure and one which will strike a chord with readers everywhere.
July 8, 2018
Lottie does what many of us would love to do. Halfway through teaching a geography lesson in her classroom she decides she'd rather be doing something else and walks out.
She decide to pursue a painting career and follow in her grandmothers footsteps. Luckily her grandmother had left her a legacy when she died so Lottie has the funds to see if her new career will take off.
Unfortunately Lottie's mum is a nightmare and very unsupportive of her daughter, especially of her new plans. Enter Caleb a colleague of Lottie's who is worried about her. They become friends and decide to go together on a walking holiday in Cornwall.
Each person they meet along the way changes Lottie's life in ways she had never imagined. One thing that has aways loomed large in Lottie's life is what she calls, "The Big Fat Secret" something she discovered when she was thirteen years old.
This will also have to be faced if the rest of her life is to be happy and fulfilled.
The book is told in first person and I felt as if Lottie was telling her story to me personally. I also coveted her apartment in Newquay it sounded devine.
A few sentences in the book had me laughing as this is exactly how I feel.
Lottie is speaking to her mother........
"You need to stop reading those chick-lit books, Mother. The ones with titles like The Best Little Pink Art Studio in Fluffy Chocolate Town by the Sea – happy endings guaranteed, or your money back."
"I don’t read chick lit, I read women’s fiction."
Authors really need to stop using these book titles!
Another cracking story by Amanda James. I have read all her books and every one of them is different.
There is no box or genre I could put her books into except maybe, " unputdownable reads!"
This book takes the reader along with it on Lottie's journey to discover the person she was always meant to be. The sights,sounds and smells of Cornwall come alive as we walk a few steps behind Lottie and Caleb.
She decide to pursue a painting career and follow in her grandmothers footsteps. Luckily her grandmother had left her a legacy when she died so Lottie has the funds to see if her new career will take off.
Unfortunately Lottie's mum is a nightmare and very unsupportive of her daughter, especially of her new plans. Enter Caleb a colleague of Lottie's who is worried about her. They become friends and decide to go together on a walking holiday in Cornwall.
Each person they meet along the way changes Lottie's life in ways she had never imagined. One thing that has aways loomed large in Lottie's life is what she calls, "The Big Fat Secret" something she discovered when she was thirteen years old.
This will also have to be faced if the rest of her life is to be happy and fulfilled.
The book is told in first person and I felt as if Lottie was telling her story to me personally. I also coveted her apartment in Newquay it sounded devine.
A few sentences in the book had me laughing as this is exactly how I feel.
Lottie is speaking to her mother........
"You need to stop reading those chick-lit books, Mother. The ones with titles like The Best Little Pink Art Studio in Fluffy Chocolate Town by the Sea – happy endings guaranteed, or your money back."
"I don’t read chick lit, I read women’s fiction."
Authors really need to stop using these book titles!
Another cracking story by Amanda James. I have read all her books and every one of them is different.
There is no box or genre I could put her books into except maybe, " unputdownable reads!"
This book takes the reader along with it on Lottie's journey to discover the person she was always meant to be. The sights,sounds and smells of Cornwall come alive as we walk a few steps behind Lottie and Caleb.
June 9, 2018
When I first started reading this book I was a little unsure - it starts off with a young Lottie asking her mother for a Calico Cat and getting a No and then moves onto an older Lottie walking out of her teaching job. My first thoughts were that she sounded a little selfish and I didn't really like her. However from about 20% I found myself beginning to adjust to Lottie and her outspoken ways and I began to really enjoy the story.
The reason for my change of heart, discovering "the big fat secret" and how the events that unfolded really impacted Lottie and made her become a different person to the child she was. I guess the old saying "never judge a book by its cover" rings true for me or in this case "don't judge a character from the first few pages!"
As the story progresses it becomes a journey of self discovery for Lottie and we as readers get to go along for the ride. We get to meet a few new characters on the way. For me I would have loved to get to know some of them a little better and their reasons for being on the "walk of self discovery".
Although there is a romance element in this book, what would a chick lit book be without one, it is more of a side story which I quite liked as it made the book abit different and less predictable. It definitely added to the enjoyment for me.
Amanda does alot for the beautiful settings and has made me very eager to see some of the scenery she describes. She really manages to bring it to life and for anyone that has visited the parts included will definitely appreciate that side of the story.
Finally this is a beautiful written story of betrayal and heartbreak that leads to a journey of self discovery and eventual happy ending. It's a very easy and enjoyable read.
The reason for my change of heart, discovering "the big fat secret" and how the events that unfolded really impacted Lottie and made her become a different person to the child she was. I guess the old saying "never judge a book by its cover" rings true for me or in this case "don't judge a character from the first few pages!"
As the story progresses it becomes a journey of self discovery for Lottie and we as readers get to go along for the ride. We get to meet a few new characters on the way. For me I would have loved to get to know some of them a little better and their reasons for being on the "walk of self discovery".
Although there is a romance element in this book, what would a chick lit book be without one, it is more of a side story which I quite liked as it made the book abit different and less predictable. It definitely added to the enjoyment for me.
Amanda does alot for the beautiful settings and has made me very eager to see some of the scenery she describes. She really manages to bring it to life and for anyone that has visited the parts included will definitely appreciate that side of the story.
Finally this is a beautiful written story of betrayal and heartbreak that leads to a journey of self discovery and eventual happy ending. It's a very easy and enjoyable read.
June 4, 2018
ONE OF THE MOST DELIGHTFUL AND AMAZING READS OF 2018 FOR ME!
Let me just go straight to the point. The Calico Cat is one the most delightful and amazing books I have read in a long time! I picked up this book as I needed a break from my usual Crime Fiction reads. I have been so deep in death and gloom that I was starting to feel uncomfortable, and let me tell you don’t want that to happen to you. So, for a change, I thought of switching genres. And I’m glad I did. The moment I completed chapter one, I knew I was in for an amazing journey and that this book would be a five star read. I found a kindred spirit in Charlotte, or Lottie as she prefers to be called. Being a creative person myself, I could feel what Lottie was going through. I could relate to Lottie’s idea of being different and unique, that is what I strive to do too. I could also see how your past can play a major role in shaping your present and your future. Throughout the read, I had a smile on my face. There were moments of roaring laughter, cringing conversations and hurtful recollections, but overall this book made me feel SO GOOD! The supporting cast, oh god, is one of the perfect ensemble I have read in recent time! Can’t talk about them much because it might be spoilery but you should definitely read this book and meet them. Some of them might become your friends.
The Calico Cat is the most refreshing, charming, delightful, pleasing and healing book I have ever read. Oh! I just realised that Lottie doesn’t like the word ‘heal’. Sorry Lottie!
Thank you to Bombshell Books for providing me with the e-book through NetGalley.
For more reviews you can visit www.rubinareads.com
Let me just go straight to the point. The Calico Cat is one the most delightful and amazing books I have read in a long time! I picked up this book as I needed a break from my usual Crime Fiction reads. I have been so deep in death and gloom that I was starting to feel uncomfortable, and let me tell you don’t want that to happen to you. So, for a change, I thought of switching genres. And I’m glad I did. The moment I completed chapter one, I knew I was in for an amazing journey and that this book would be a five star read. I found a kindred spirit in Charlotte, or Lottie as she prefers to be called. Being a creative person myself, I could feel what Lottie was going through. I could relate to Lottie’s idea of being different and unique, that is what I strive to do too. I could also see how your past can play a major role in shaping your present and your future. Throughout the read, I had a smile on my face. There were moments of roaring laughter, cringing conversations and hurtful recollections, but overall this book made me feel SO GOOD! The supporting cast, oh god, is one of the perfect ensemble I have read in recent time! Can’t talk about them much because it might be spoilery but you should definitely read this book and meet them. Some of them might become your friends.
The Calico Cat is the most refreshing, charming, delightful, pleasing and healing book I have ever read. Oh! I just realised that Lottie doesn’t like the word ‘heal’. Sorry Lottie!
Thank you to Bombshell Books for providing me with the e-book through NetGalley.
For more reviews you can visit www.rubinareads.com
June 5, 2018
I will admit straight off the bat that I was drawn to this book by that gorgeous cover and the intriguing title. I don’t know much about cats but what is a calico cat? I started googling pictures of calico cats and they are stunning. With an idea of what the cat looked like in my mind, I dived into the book.
Lottie has had enough of teaching kids and walks out of the school one afternoon, vowing to become an artist. Lottie’s mother doesn’t approve of this choice and we soon learn that her mother is not the nicest of people. A big secret that blew Lottie’s world apart at the age of 13 has destroyed her relationships with family and has made her into the person she is today.
At first I struggled to like Lottie, she spoke her mind but at times she said too much when in hindsight she should have kept her opinions to herself. However the more I got to know Lottie and why she is like this, the things she has endured I started to like her more and more.
Lottie embarks on a walking holiday around Cornwall with a friend where she meets a whole range of different people. I love Cornwall and I adored Amanda’s descriptions of this beautiful part of England. I really felt I was there with Lottie on this holiday and it was a wonderful book to read on a warm day.
The Calico Cat is a wonderful, endearing, thought-provoking read that touches on themes of love, family, secrets and the past. There are some beautifully written characters that I loved reading about, some that I wish I could meet in real life myself! The setting is stunning and the plot is brilliantly written. A fabulous read.
Lottie has had enough of teaching kids and walks out of the school one afternoon, vowing to become an artist. Lottie’s mother doesn’t approve of this choice and we soon learn that her mother is not the nicest of people. A big secret that blew Lottie’s world apart at the age of 13 has destroyed her relationships with family and has made her into the person she is today.
At first I struggled to like Lottie, she spoke her mind but at times she said too much when in hindsight she should have kept her opinions to herself. However the more I got to know Lottie and why she is like this, the things she has endured I started to like her more and more.
Lottie embarks on a walking holiday around Cornwall with a friend where she meets a whole range of different people. I love Cornwall and I adored Amanda’s descriptions of this beautiful part of England. I really felt I was there with Lottie on this holiday and it was a wonderful book to read on a warm day.
The Calico Cat is a wonderful, endearing, thought-provoking read that touches on themes of love, family, secrets and the past. There are some beautifully written characters that I loved reading about, some that I wish I could meet in real life myself! The setting is stunning and the plot is brilliantly written. A fabulous read.
May 21, 2018
(Possible trigger warning: childhood psychological abuse.) Charlotte is a geography teacher- or at least she was. One day she decides to walk out and keep walking. Her mother thinks she has lost the plot, her colleague thinks she is brave and wonderful to be able to take a different path. Lotties grandmother was an artist and she has decided this is the route she would like to take, also having received some inheritance from her grandmother- much to her mother’s disdain. There is a family secret which eventually she tell Caleb who is fast becoming a close friend. When he tries to help Lottie pushes him away. A walking holiday and meeting people along the way starts to put life into perspective for Lottie. This is written in the first person - in parts almost like a diary where the narrator is speaking to the reader. This book took me on a journey as it did with Lottie. Not everyone has had a wonderful childhood and for some this may trigger memories that are not of a good nature. That said, it was good to read how someone can be themselves despite everything and be true to themselves which is different and is not always easy. “Bruises heal but words remain raw many years afterwards”. A brilliant read, an unusual plot. One to make you think about yourself for a while hopefully in a good way.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
June 4, 2018
A story told mostly in the first person, but Lottie and at times in a diary form.
We meet Lottie when she is at a crossroads of her life and decides it is time for her to go on a journey.
We experience this with her, the beautiful areas she visits, which are described perfectly, that you feel you are making the journey with her.
The people she meets along the way are varied, and give us as well as Lottie something to think about.
We learn from her as her self-discovery happens of how she wants to live her life from now on, begins.
A poignant tale of growing up, and you can learn about yourself however old you are, a thought provoking read about Lottie coming to terms with who she is and how she wants to live her life.
A gorgeously detailed, frank (at times) character; which is an engaging read.
Amanda James, has really brought us a gorgeous read with this book and I loved it.
We meet Lottie when she is at a crossroads of her life and decides it is time for her to go on a journey.
We experience this with her, the beautiful areas she visits, which are described perfectly, that you feel you are making the journey with her.
The people she meets along the way are varied, and give us as well as Lottie something to think about.
We learn from her as her self-discovery happens of how she wants to live her life from now on, begins.
A poignant tale of growing up, and you can learn about yourself however old you are, a thought provoking read about Lottie coming to terms with who she is and how she wants to live her life.
A gorgeously detailed, frank (at times) character; which is an engaging read.
Amanda James, has really brought us a gorgeous read with this book and I loved it.
September 10, 2018
I have a calico cat myself so of course I was drawn to this book! It’s not about a real cat at all, but I won’t say any more about that so I don’t give the game away. Though I will say that the calico cat does play a big part in the book. It’s more of a coming of age story, except that the protagonist Lottie is 28 not 15. She came across as very young, and very idiosyncratic. She reminded me of Cassandra in I Capture the Castle in so many ways. In fact the whole book did. Lottie is an acquired taste but the sort of person you know exactly where you are with.
She is to be admired for following her heart and her dreams and for the journey of self discovery she makes. The supporting characters are very interesting too, but my favourite (apart from the cat, of course) is Cornwall itself. It’s a special part of the world for me and I loved reading about it again. The quirkiness is an interesting aspect of this novel and it is well worth a read.
She is to be admired for following her heart and her dreams and for the journey of self discovery she makes. The supporting characters are very interesting too, but my favourite (apart from the cat, of course) is Cornwall itself. It’s a special part of the world for me and I loved reading about it again. The quirkiness is an interesting aspect of this novel and it is well worth a read.
June 16, 2018
13 Year old Lottie discovers a big secret that her parents have kept from her. As a result, she becomes estranged from her mother and things are not the same again. Her mother cannot understand her, so that seems to be that.
She enters the career of teaching until one day she just walks out. Out of her job and the school. She decides to follow her dream of being an artist, like her grandmother. She knows that she will definitely not get her mother's blessing, but the way that the secret was revealed, and how she was treated, Lottie embarks on a road to self-discovery.
This is an engaging book and the characters, although flawed, are believable. A great read from a great author.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
She enters the career of teaching until one day she just walks out. Out of her job and the school. She decides to follow her dream of being an artist, like her grandmother. She knows that she will definitely not get her mother's blessing, but the way that the secret was revealed, and how she was treated, Lottie embarks on a road to self-discovery.
This is an engaging book and the characters, although flawed, are believable. A great read from a great author.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
October 7, 2018
This book was not at all what I expected. It's a wonderful story of Lottie growing up and living life on her own terms. She highlights her life with turning points. The first being the day she asks her mother for a calico cat. Lottie and her mother have a fractious relationship due to a big secret. When she quits her teaching job and decides to explore her talent for painting she meets Caleb and discovers what friendship means. This journey of self discovery is narrated entirely by Lottie and she is funny and self deprecating in spots but honest in her description of her life. Amanda James is a prolific author who is usually spot on with her writing and wonderful characters. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 26, 2022
There were parts of this book that I enjoyed but others parts that I disliked, hence the 3 stars.
Throughout the book the main character speaks to the reader, which I found quite strange.
The main character was Lottie who in her mid twenties walked out of her job as a teacher to follow her dream of being an artist. I couldn't warm to her; she was outspoken and took pride in being different. She seemed to be deliberately difficult and believed that all her problems stemmed from a family secret that Lottie learned about when she was 13 years old, and that changed her life.
Lottie went on a coastal walk around Cornwall with a friend and they met some interesting people along the way. This was the enjoyable part of the book for me.
Throughout the book the main character speaks to the reader, which I found quite strange.
The main character was Lottie who in her mid twenties walked out of her job as a teacher to follow her dream of being an artist. I couldn't warm to her; she was outspoken and took pride in being different. She seemed to be deliberately difficult and believed that all her problems stemmed from a family secret that Lottie learned about when she was 13 years old, and that changed her life.
Lottie went on a coastal walk around Cornwall with a friend and they met some interesting people along the way. This was the enjoyable part of the book for me.
June 5, 2018
I just love Amanda's style of writing. Every book I have come across is just so easy flowing and a dream to read.
The Calico Cat is such an inspiring book I feel and in some ways reminds me of mine and my siblings upbringing. No matter what your experience growing up, it's you yourself that defines your future.
Lottie is such a lovable character. She is one of those characters that when you finish reading the book you feel you will miss her somehow and you want to know how things turn out.
I'm sorry if this review does not make sense, I was up most of the night reading, as I couldn't put it down.
The Calico Cat is such an inspiring book I feel and in some ways reminds me of mine and my siblings upbringing. No matter what your experience growing up, it's you yourself that defines your future.
Lottie is such a lovable character. She is one of those characters that when you finish reading the book you feel you will miss her somehow and you want to know how things turn out.
I'm sorry if this review does not make sense, I was up most of the night reading, as I couldn't put it down.
June 8, 2018
I was really pleasantly surprised by this book, as it turned out to be better than I expected. What I enjoyed most about this story, was the way it was written - it was enjoyable and really cozy. I would recommend this book to people interested in the genre, as well as anyone who would enjoy a well-written story.
July 13, 2018
A refreshingly, easy read, Lottie takes us on her journey of self-discovery as she struggles with the concept of love; both the giving and receiving, acceptance, and following her heart. It is difficult to not love this plucky young woman, to empathise with her pain at the hand of her indifferent mother, and to rejoice at her successes, supported by the family that she chooses for herself.
September 22, 2018
A lovely read.
I personally prefer stories which take me more quickly into and through something more dramatic.
BUT this isn't meant to be like that, and it's so well written with deep insight into how personalities develop after traumatic childhoods.. This process kept me going, wanting to discover how it will end - well worth the read!
I personally prefer stories which take me more quickly into and through something more dramatic.
BUT this isn't meant to be like that, and it's so well written with deep insight into how personalities develop after traumatic childhoods.. This process kept me going, wanting to discover how it will end - well worth the read!
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