Book Review: The Accidental Book Club by Jennifer Scott

Title: The Accidental Book Club
Author: Jennifer Scott
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: NAL
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary

     

Jean Vison never expected to run a book club, until her life took an unexpected turn. Now, with Jean’s husband gone, what began as an off-the-cuff idea has grown into a group of six women who meet the second Tuesday of every month for a potluck supper, for wine and laughter—and for books.

There’s Loretta, who deals with the lack of intimacy in her marriage by diving into erotic novels. Dorothy, whose ruffian sons are a never-ending source of stress. May entertains the group with her outrageous dating stories, while Mitzi finds something political to rant about in every book—including Loretta’s trashy romances. Even Janet, with her mousy shyness and constant blush, has helped Jean rediscover the joy in life.

So when Jean’s family starts unraveling again—her daughter forced into rehab and her troubled teen granddaughter, Bailey, coming to live with her in the interim—she turns to the book club for comfort and support. And, together, they all, even Bailey, discover that family is what you make of it, especially the family you choose

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this book.  I was a little iffy about reading it since it's a little out of my comfort zone, but let me tell you, I was immediately drown into this story from the very first page.  And at the end, I was so sad because I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters. Only a great book will make you feel that way after reading it. 

Jean's husband died a few years ago and she is having a hard time dealing with it.  The kind of love Jean and her husband had was the kind that we all wish for.  They loved and respected each other and were inseparable. They would cuddle on the couch and read books together. After his death, Jean and her friends decided to start a book club.  It's a way for them to get together, eat some yummy food and discuss their current read.   

In the beginning, I really had a hard time reading about the kind of life Bailey has had.  It literally broke my heart.  Life has been really tough for Bailey.  She has had to grow up too fast.  Her mother is an alcoholic who is still in denial and doesn't see the damage she is going to Bailey.  Her father doesn't know how to deal with her drunk mother so he moves out, shattering Bailey and leaving her to care or her mother.  This is something that no child should ever have to do or go through.  So what does Bailey do?  She gets into trouble.  It's the only way her parents will notice her.  Even though it's bad attention, at least they acknowledge her.   

One day Jean gets a call from her son-in-law that her daughter is in the hospital.  5 hours later, she arrives at the hospital and realizes the severity of the situation.  She never knew her daughter had a drinking problem nor did she know that she and her husband have been separated for a few weeks now.  Even though Jean loved her daughter, she and her daughter never really had a close relationship.  They lived 5 hours away and never really saw each other.  Jean leaves a couple of days later when she sees that her daughter is being admitted into a rehab.  After being home for a few days, Jean gets a call from her son-in-law telling her that he needs Bailey to stay with her for a while because he can't control her.  Jean just doesn't know what to do, but she knows that her husband would never abandon his granddaughter to she tells him to bring her.  Jean and Bailey's lives will forever be changed from the moment Bailey walks through the door.  I don't want to give too many details, but the ending was perfect.  

The Accidental Book Club is a story about second chances.  A story about how sometimes people who you least expect, can change your life forever.  How they can open your eyes to things you never seen before about yourself.  If you want to read a story that deals with real issues.  A story that will make you laugh and cry all in one chapter, you have to read The Accidental Book Club.