5 Stars for Never Too Late by Jo Barney (previously titled Edith)

[Margaret, Book Explosion Moderator]

Edith awakens on Christmas day to find that her husband of more than forty years, has passed away in the night. One would think this would devastate her, but it doesn’t…Edith’s marriage and life in general had been more of an arrangement made possible by the unexpected pregnancy of her son Brian, which forced her marriage in a time when unwed mothers were shamed upon. She’d spent her married life cooking, cleaning and caring for a husband who treated his wife with utter disdain…a man who blamed her for trapping him in a loveless marriage and family he never really wanted.

The only bright side to Edith’s life is her son Brian, who she doted upon. Brian now has a family of his own, a wife that Edith doesn’t really care for and two children that Edith doesn’t really know. When Edith begins to clean out her husband’s belongings she comes across several items that she doesn’t understand, items that lead her to believe her husband led a secret life, but what was that life? As she begins to investigate this mystery, her daughter-in-law becomes her inadvertent assistant and confidant, which creates a positive relationship between the two, it also reveals a rift that is developing in her son’s marriage and allows her to become closer with her grandchildren. Another side-effect of Edith’s investigation is learning about herself, her needs and desires and the realization that she can start again, fresh and new, because it’s Never Too Late.

I’ve read several of Ms. Barney’s books, her ability to create realistic and real life characters is uncanny, but more importantly, Ms. Barney’s stories delve into real life issues that people face day-in and day-out. Once again, Ms. Barney weaves a tale that I found very difficult to put down and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review (see all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... )

[Jo]

Thank you once again, Margaret. You GET what I'm attempting to do and say with my "old lady" books. One more coming at some point--maybe more if my fingers keep moving, as well, of course, if my brain doesn't continue to lose words. Nouns, usually. Fortunately my husband is overflowing with nouns, so I have help. JO

[Jo]

HI, again, Margaret. And again, your support is so appreciated and I would like your permission to a piece of this wonderful review on my website, www.jobarneywrites.com. JO