May 23, 2022
Dell’Antonia (The Chicken Sisters) returns with a lively tale involving a famous globe-trotting author’s struggle to save her inheritance. Rhett Smith, 40, whose book The Modern Pioneer Girl’s Guide to Life has inspired hordes of women to travel alone, leaves Argentina and the wreckage of a breakup to take over the family farm in Bowford, N.H., after her grandmother’s death. On the way, Rhett stops in New York City to see her best friend, Jasmine, and do an interview on the Today Show. At the studio, she’s surprised to sees her 20-years-estranged mother, Margaret Pearl Gallagher, as a fellow guest. Panicked, she switches places with Jasmine. When Rhett and Jasmine arrive at the farm, keeping up the charade, Margaret is there, too, and explains she owns half of the farm and plans to sell it to the local college. Rhett’s dream of revitalizing the property into a modern working farm depends on whether she can buy her mother’s half, but an accident scuttles her loan. Meanwhile, Rhett reconnects with a former boyfriend and reflects on her complicated relationship with Margaret. Dell’Antonia offers an affecting take on damaged relationships, while keeping things light with descriptions of spunky farm animals and the quirks of rural life. The author’s fans will love this. Agent: Caryn Karmatz Rudy, DeFiore & Co.
Starred review from June 10, 2024
As she turns 40, Rhett Gallagher's life is full of adventure--or, it was, until everything falls apart. Her book, The Modern Pioneer Girl's Guide to Life, has become so successful that she's asked to appear on the Today Show. When she sees that her estranged mother is also a guest, she panics and she sends her best friend, Jasmine, to switch places with her. As Rhett's book skyrockets in popularity and her Instagram gains thousands of followers, Rhett's life becomes increasingly complicated, making her wonder if it's time to share her true self with the world. Dell'Antonia (Chicken Sisters) has written a charming novel of a woman who must learn to accept herself and stand in her own right. Jesse Valinsky narrates the funny but insecure Rhett as well as the variety of townspeople, providing accents, personalities, and cadences unique to each character. Listeners will appreciate the depth of Rhett's growth and her wry, often sarcastic, sense of humor. The recording also includes an author interview at the end that gives more perspective and provides a peek into the creative process. VERDICT Dell'Antonia provides a fun and heartfelt look at the various relationships we have as humans, and as women in particular.--Elyssa Everling
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.