Awakening Avery Product Review - Brigham Distributing

Awakening Avery by Laurie C. Lewis, Brigham Distributing

About the book:

Every married woman's greatest fear is that she will lose her husband and be left alone. When Avery Elkins Thompson, a successful, confident author loses her husband, her entire family is catapulted into a world of uncertainty and emotional upheaval.

Seeing the distress Her husband's death is wreaking upon her family, Avery embarks on a summer adventure to find a healing place on Florida's beautiful Anna Maria Island, a place rich with previous family memories.

In a savvy real estate coup, a house swap is arranged between Avery and a brooding Anna Maria widower named Gabriel Carson. As the two grieving parents move into one another's carefully-scripted worlds, things get messy. The plan takes some additional unexpected turns, requiring Avery to open her tightly-guarded heart to the quirky cast of characters she meets along the way, who teach her a thing or two about carrying on, and help her recall some important lessons she had long forgotten.

"Awakening Avery" is a laugh-out-loud grab-a-hankie read that has garnered some outstanding reviews.

Kay’s Kritique:  This is book that came out last year and really deserves another look.  Even a year after reading it, a smile still comes to my face as I remember the variety of “unique” characters that had me laughing out loud several times as they intertwined in Avery’s life.  I was intrigued by the pancakes, which was something drawn from Laurie’s childhood.  I just had to try them - my family enjoyed them - they were fun.   Since I’ve lived my whole life in the “Mission Field,” I am always drawn to books that have their settings outside of Utah, and even though the books starts in Utah, more of the story is in Baltimore, Maryland (close to where I live) and Anna Marie Island in Florida  (where I would love to visit some day).  As we start to look for “Good Summer Reads” -- I would definitely put Awakening Avery on the top of the list.

Other Reader Reviews –

"I loved this book! I laughed and cried and can't wait to try the pancakes! The characters give great insight to obstacles we all face in one way or another. This book is a lesson manual for overcoming challenges with a splash of fun!"
Susan Fisher

"This is an amazing story of one woman’s journey for peace after losing her husband too early.  I laughed and I cried. It is an incredible journey of healing and love. Take a break from your life for 344 pages of travel from Utah, to Baltimore, Maryland to Sarasota, Florida and follow the adventures Avery experiences in learning to love again."
Valerie Steimle - Full review on Valerie's blog

"It's one of those books that really makes a person think. Love it!"
Nichole Giles

 "I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It's an LDS story with LDS values, great lessons and the kind of far-reaching lessons that touch lives."
Heather Justeson - Full review on Heather's blog

"A heart warming and very emotionally driven book. There are many feelings that are brought up in the reader as this novel progresses. I was hooked from the very first page."
Sheila Staley of the LDSWBR- Full review on Sheila's blog

"Awakening Avery is a thought provoking book that will tug at your heartstrings . . . a novel unlike any other I’ve read, and I highly recommend it."
Kimberly Job - Full review on Kimberly's blog

"Vivid and compelling . . .  a beautifully written story full of rich language . . .  It carries some beautiful messages of love, forgiveness and family. . ."
Alison Palmer - Full review on Alison's blog

"Laurie has a way of moving readers to laughter, tears, and deep pondering. I recommend Awakening Avery one hundred percent. Let Florida's sea air transport you to a place where life's darkest shadows eventually get blown away."
Anne Bradshaw - Full review on Anne's blog