Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Here's a bit from Ms. Ockler's website: Things in Delilah Hannaford’s life have a tendency to fall apart. She used to be a good student, but she can’t seem to keep it together anymore. Her “boyfriend” isn’t much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family’s painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, FIXING DELILAH is a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.

My Take

I loved Ms. Ockler's previous book, TWENTY BOY SUMMER.  I was sure I'd love this one too.  This book was about family.  Familial bonds - both the severing of them and the strengthing of them.  It was full of beautiful writing that made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes at times as well. 

Family is a factor that helps to mold who we are in this world.  We can sometimes come to define ourselves through family.  It certainly does not completely make you who you are, but can be a piece in the puzzle.  When some of the pieces are missing or hidden, it can be more difficult to see that picture of who you are.

Delilah Hannaford is on a mission to find as many of those pieces as she can.  My favorite line from this book was, "Now several promotions later, buying a new bottle of perfume is just another errand on her assistant's long list, and Coco Chanel is the smell of nothing but a woman leaving; a door clicked closed after a casual "don't wait up - I'll probably be late again tonight."  I particularly love the portion 'Coco Chanel is the smell of nothing but a woman leaving'.  It says so much.

I urge girsl to read this book and share with their mothers, sisters, aunts and any other women you can think of.  Another gorgeous book by Sarah Ockler.  I'm giving his lovely book 5 kisses!