The book is narrated by the main character Ava Maria. She has a real down to earth believable personality and faces some interesting life challenges. The other characters in the book are fun and the emotions seem real. You feel like you could have passed through this town and stopped for coffee and a slice of pie. Easy read.

If you can get through the first 3/4ths of the book then the ending is worth your while. I listened to this book on audio during my drives to work. I have decided that I would not recommend this book to my bookclub only because it is not believable and mostly dull til the end.

I listened to this book on audio--34 hours. It is definitely a commitment! I enjoyed the richness of the varied and unlikely relationships that formed and rooted during this book. Especially how the unpredictable circumstances led to those life altering events which led the main character to these various individuals. You see him from a 12 year old to a man in his early 30's. It is a story of friendships, tough decisions and survival in the face of adversity.