I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was not entirely sure what I was getting myself into--as I literally picked this up because the cover looked pretty. But here is what you actually get yourself into here:

1) A story about childhood, losing it, but being able to get a second chance to get it back.

2) Losing the one you love, but then learning how to move on-which can take a person in so many different directions.

3) Believe in the magic the world provides you with, even if that seems to be a magical alligator that shouldn't live in a lake but does. Keep in mind, for the record, there is nothing wrong with your young 8-year-old daughter talking to this alligator.

4) Love as hard as you can. Repeat as necessary.

5) Bad things happen to good people. But good things happen to good people too.

6) As I have always said... be wary of people named Cricket. World, please, stop naming people Cricket.

This was, overall, a really interesting and fascinating book about a woman that loses her husband. On a whim, and after finding a postcard, she and her daughter drive to a place called Lost Lake--the last time she remembers a happy childhood. Her daughter makes friends with an alligator. But Kate gets to know her family, friends that stay at Lost Lake, and of course gets to see what her childhood crush (the boy next door) has grown into--a pretty good looking man. This was a quick read, but mainly because it was hard for me to put down. You won't regret the touches of magical realism (borderline fairy tale) moments of the novel. Definitely recommend it!

#FairyTaleForAdults