The Big Stone Gap book series was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters....Ave Maria, Jack Mac, Iva Lou, Fleeta, Pearl...and all the others. Great stories, made all the more real because the author is from Big Stone Gap, VA. I've heard that they are making the first novel into a movie. Should be interesting. I feel that most books turned into movies do not usually turn out well, with a few exceptions. I highly recommend this series. ( )

Romance

Understood the story even though I did not realize it was part of a series. Loved the incites into thinking about life and relating to others. Really related to the feeling of hurt when others know about her best friend Iva Lou and it is all a secret to her. Amazed how her husband could deal so well with ex-boyfriends, the loss of their son, that she did not know the wish list of her husband, and the nice things he did like bringing family members to her. Recipes were not ones I would make but gave a nice homey touch. ( )

2.5 Ave Maria came across as a b**** in this one. I was quite displeased. ( )

Review :Home To Big Stone Gap by Andriana Trigiani. 12/12/2017

Trigiani is extremely insightful as she touches on so many widespread truths about the human spirit and life. The story makes the reader feel right at home introducing great characters and being in a serene town and cozy environment. This is a smooth clean cut novel with a family who lives in the mountains in Virginia. Most work around that area was coal mining and that’s where most of the men worked until some were stricken with black lung. The stories about a strong and independent woman, Ave Maria Mulligan who has reached a turning point in her life and she realizes that it’s time for changes and new dreams. However, before she can head down that path, her life is turned upside down.

People who know about Ave Maria call her the “town spinster” yet she works as the town’s pharmacist and for the Rescue Squad. As we are introduced to the town’s community and Ave Maria’s friends who are lovable characters as Fleeta, Pearl, Jack Mac, and Theo. For some reason she never felt a part of the community. Her life revolved around her work but when her mother dies of cancer she receives a letter from her mother’s lawyer that her mother had wrote. After reading the letter Ave Maria slowly unfolds the mystery surrounding her life and her family’s. The secrets and family information that were explained in the letter kept me captivated.

The story was full of surprises, adventure, tears, laughter, and suspense. It was a small town where everyone knew everyone and the behaviors, emotions, and happenings are what made the story interesting and the words flowed smoothly to the end. ( )