“Well…I don’t know. We were good friends, and then…his father got sick. And he wanted to start a family. He needed me so much.” My mother manages a few seconds of silence so the truth can sink in. “Oh my God. Mom, you’re right. I married him because he needed me. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“Nothing’s wrong with you,” my mother says. “Lots of women fall for it. We grow up feeling like our only purpose in life is to nurture others, so much so that we forget what we want, forget what makes us happy.”
(from Free to a Good Home, page 238)
Eve Marie Mont’s debut novel, Free to a Good Home, is set in New England and tells the story of a veterinary technician working at an animal shelter and struggling to get over her failed marriage. Noelle’s marriage ended due to her infertility and the shock of learning that her husband is gay. Jay is living in Atlanta with his partner, and when he asks Noelle if she can care for his sick mother — a woman who has done nothing but treat her badly since their marriage — she can’t say no because she still has feelings for him. Noelle already has a lot on her plate, as she’s tasked with planning a huge fundraiser for the animal shelter, and Jay just keeps piling it on. And it’s Noelle’s need to care for others — from the dogs in the shelter to Jay and his mother — that prevents her from doing the things that would make her happy.
In the midst of all the chaos — from dealing with Margaret’s coldness as her illness steals her independence to the drama in her own family — Noelle meets Jasper, a musician who takes a liking to her almost immediately and goes out of his way to help her with the fundraiser. But her distrust of relationships as a result of her failed marriage, her concern about Jasper’s relationship with his ex, and a request from Jay that goes beyond what any woman could be expected to do for their ex-husband complicate things.
Mont’s easy writing style makes Free to a Good Home a fast, enjoyable read. I was drawn to the book right away since I grew up in New England and even studied for two years to be a vet tech (before dropping out to pursue an English and Sociology double major), and Mont brought me right back to a setting I know so well. I couldn’t relate to Noelle at all, and there were times when I wanted to reach into the book and slap her. She made me upset, letting Jay walk all over her like a doormat. But I couldn’t help but like her and root for her, and Mont does a great job showing how these events become a learning experience and help Noelle become a stronger person. I also found all the other characters in Free to a Good Home entertaining, especially the feisty Margaret, though Jasper was almost too perfect for my tastes and Jay seemed a bit over the top.
Free to a Good Home is a decent debut novel about a woman finding herself in the midst of turmoil and learning the meaning of the word home. I look forward to reading more from Mont in the future.
Disclosure: I received a copy of Free to a Good Home from the author for review purposes. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2010 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I liked this book as well, and I agree that Noelle drove me crazy.
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At least I was able to root for her throughout and actually like her by the end.
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This book sounds so very good. We all take on stuff to oblige someone, we cant say no and then find ourselves overburdened.
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I must admit I know that feeling well, though I would never consider some of the things Noelle does.
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I agree with you about Noelle – she was frustrating when it came to dealing with her ex, but she sure did have a good heart.
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The fact that she is such a good person is what kept me rooting for her even when she was frustrating.
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I love books set in New England, that is almost an automatic draw for me, and this looks like a good one.
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Then you’d like this one because the setting is really well done.
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This is not the type of book that normally appeals to me, but something about it has grabbed my attention. I already have it on my to-read list.
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I probably wouldn’t have read it were it not for the vet tech angle, and that wasn’t even the main point of the story. I’m glad I gave it a try because I enjoyed it.
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I passed on this one (I have passed on many lately) and wondered if I’d made a mistake. I think you are in good company with your feelings about Noelle. The author must have known what she was doing when she created her…just trying to get her readers riled up!
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That’s possible. But the more I think about it, there’s something about everyone that could frustrate or annoy someone else.
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Oh I don’t know if I’d like Noelle much but I’m intrigued. I’d want to see if she finally puts herself first and stops other people from walking all over her!
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I hope you give it a try!
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Hmm…the stuff you said about Noelle makes me hesitant, as I hate doormat main characters. But this still sounds like an interesting book!
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Well even though Noelle’s doormat tendencies were frustrating, it’s worth the read.
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Nice review Anna! This is on my list for September reading and I can’t wait.
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I’m looking forward to your thoughts!
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