I absolutely loved this book!! I agree with one of the reviews that relates it to the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" with some bits of the sarcasm of the TV show "Mom".

I don't know how Katelyn did it. Putting up with that mother-in-law (Shirley Pratt) of hers. She was ghastly. HA!

I could relate to a lot of these characters. I think I pretty much talk to my friends the way Shirley talked to Katelyn, but to hear it from your mother-in-law?

It gets even funnier when Katelyn and Shirley take a road trip to see Katelyn's mother in Little Springs, Texas. Thinking back, I am laughing all over again.

This is a very enjoyable, entertaining and hilarious read that I just sped through.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. ( )

I try to rate like genres, with the same in my reviews. This is a much lighter read than I usually read but it turned out to be a good palate cleanser after a read that pretty much made me feel quite disgusted. A woman, married for over 18 years, two twins ready to start college, is presented , quite out of the blue, with divorce papers. Her mother in law, who has never approved of her, has lived with the family for three years due to some forgetfulness on her part. They end up taking a trip together, little choice in the matter, back to Arkansas, home for our beleaguered main character, and her old high school boyfriend.

In turns humorous, insightful, watching these characters thrive and change. Reclaiming themselves in the process, reaching out for new experiences, and coming to terms with where they were and where they are now. Just a fun, lighthearted read for the most part,sort of a Sweet Home Alabama, kind of vibe. A good, and necessary detour, which we all need on occasion.

ARC from Netgalley. ( )

Many thanks to Penguin Random House for an advance copy of "The Future She Left Behind" by Marin Thomas ~ anticipated release date of September 5, 2017. Katelyn Chandler is blind-sided with divorce papers from her husband who she discovers has been unfaithful several times throughout their marriage. One of the first moves her soon to be ex makes is to sell their palatial home, so Katelyn decides to drive home to Little Springs, Texas to lick her wounds and figure out her next move. Her snooty monster-in-law comes along for the ride to avoid being placed in retirement living by her son. When she left home at 18 for college, Katelyn had left behind her mom Birdie and her boyfriend Jackson Mendoza. She has a distant relationship with her mom (she sends her mom a check for $1000 on birthdays) so staying with her is an opportunity to get to know her mom as an adult and person. I think all of us can relate to not realizing your mom has a life until we mature. And also, as women, to losing yourself as you become a caretaker to a husband, children, mother-in-law or whomever. Katelyn gets the opportunity in Little Springs to rediscover her passion for art and realizing it's never too late to pursue your dreams. She also realizes, and provides counsel to a friend in a similar situation, that money doesn't equal happiness. I loved the well-developed characters in the small town of Little Springs. Sallie's Beauty Shop and the grocery store are great settings. Katelyn's mom Birdie and mother-in-law, Shirley find a unique relationship while love blooms again between Katelyn and Jackson. Definitely predictable but isn't it always easier for an outsider to see what should be? It's fun to discover new authors and I had to look up Thomas's bio to figure out her Missouri connection. I always love a book that takes place in familiar settings so especially loved the references to St. Louis, Kansas City, Stephens College and University of Missouri! ( )