A cute story but I was mostly moved by the Acknowledgments at the end of the book. Congrats to Nyhan on her accomplishment under very difficult circumstances. ( )

Digging Forward

As an avid reader of all genres, my last few reads have all included the death of a loved one. Death is never easy to move forward in life , it's hard and most times unexpected. Paige was able to dig her way out of the pains and sorrows of her loss and everything positive came out in the end. Having the support of family, friends and others is a great attribute. After reading the authors story and how she went through a loss of her own, I commend her on using that loss and support of others to incorporate into this story and write an outstanding novel. Shows much strength. Moving forward. ( )

Nice characters. Good story. Some very nice unusual touches ( )

**I own this Kindlebook, so if anyone wants to borrow it, send me a PM with your Amazon-account email and you're welcome to it**

I read and enjoyed this paean to the overweight, overtired, overworked Average Soul taking up space the Skinny Bastages think is rightfully theirs in a shrinking economy.

At almost every turn, I felt the severe pain of the older worker not yet eligible for retirement (forget about able to afford retirement, very very very few ever will be so blessed) but labeled Not Wanted by the irritatingly chipper and voraciously ambitious backstabbing little twidgees snapping at our heels.

At every turn, I felt the agonies of the partner left behind (the love of my life died 26 years ago come May and no, I'm not over it and frankly don't expect to be) as she moves on willy-nilly with life. Not living, just life. Lying down and waiting to die sounds so good...but...nope, just can't, it feels too much like something our departed love would be really, really pissed off with us about.

And I was *revolted* by the slavish fad-following seen at every turn!

But I want a chocolate beet cake. Like, you know, NOW. ( )

I enjoyed the warm, emotional and heartwarming novel “Digging in” by Loretta Nyhan. The Genres for this book are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The timeline is mostly written in the present and goes to the immediate past when it is pertinent to the characters or events in the story. The author describes the characters as complicated, complex, dysfunctional, quirky, and confused. Most of the characters are likable.

I appreciate that the author uses the symbolism of “Digging In” referring it to the emotional and physical characteristics of the colorful characters and their actions.

Paige is a widow, with a son, who manages to exist and live day-to-day, often in the memories of her deceased husband. Paige is used to the same job, with the same friends, and the same neighbors. Unfortunately, a major change at work means a major change for Paige and all the characters.

In frustration, Paige starts digging up her backyard. The more she digs, the better she feels. She starts to plant a vegetable garden. As the vegetables take, root, something in Paige starts to take root as well. The author discusses the importance of family, neighbors, community and friends at work. Also mentioned is communication and collaboration together. I love the growth in the characters. I would recommend this book to readers that like Women’s fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. ( )