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There are currently 73 member reviews
for The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
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Lauri Z. (Washington, DC)
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
My overall takeaway is that this is a sweet story, but not exceptional. I never became attached to the two main characters the way I would have hoped. I think there was an opportunity for more character development, which is why I chose the adjective "sweet". Their "adventure" was what kept me reading. While the ending did throw in a twist, which was fun, the wrap up of the relationship between Tanner and Louise was quite predictable. I think this story would draw an audience from the Hallmark channel. A happy ending tied up in a nice bow.
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Carolyn L. (Vero Beach, FL)
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise review
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley is full of humor, mystery, danger and coming of age, with a little romance thrown into the mix. The author begins her novel with an epigraph where Louise is asking why Thelma is behaving so sedate. Thelma says, "Well, I've had it up to my ass with sedate." The story open with Louise's daughter Jules' conversation with the police explaining her mother's disappearance. Jules explains her mother's age as seventy-nine, then corrects herself by saying... "that's what she tells everyone." Her mother is actually eighty-four. And that statement immediately reveals Louise's eccentric personality and why the Epigraph. This conversation serves to advise the reader of her mother's unpredictable behavior in a humorous manner. This humor is shown throughout the story and gives the reader a certain relief as the novel becomes more tense.
Oakley then goes back in time explaining how Tanner came to be Louise's unappreciated companion. The pair eventually work their relationship out as she drives Louise across country to California, where the older woman wants to get to her friend Georgia.
The reader sees Tanner's coming of age as a twenty-one-year-old girl who behaves like a twelve-year-old into a mature woman who has purpose in her life.
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Ruthie A. (Jersey City, NJ)
Loved it, until the end...
This novel grabbed me at the beginning - a smart, crotchety senior is pressured to allow a troubled girl into her life as an aide, driving her about and living in her home. For the most part it was a light, easy read, if somewhat predictable. However, the last few chapters took the story in all kinds of "topical" surprising directions, and they all felt forced and jarring to me. The "real story" could have been any one of the secrets revealed but the author threw in so many twists and turns that none of them landed.
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Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)
3.5 stars. Ending was worth it
While I did enjoy this book, the first 3/4 of the read did not endure me to Tanner and Louise. I enjoyed the plot and especially the slight twists at the end. It was an enjoyable read, just not outstanding.
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Susan P. (Mount Vernon, WA)
Fun, intergenerational, and girl power
If you are ready for a fun adventure in reading this book is a must read. You will be getting to know the two female characters and their back stories. Their adventures, the subtle and not so subtle mentoring going on, the miscommunications and the power of building confidence just shine in the dialog.
The outcomes are predictable and the plot is easy to figure out; nonetheless, it's a perfect read when you just want a good laugh and a well-told story!
As with all good stories, it even has a moral or two to share! Enjoy.
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Jennie R. (Highland, CA)
Enjoyable read, but…
The story of Tanner and Mrs. Louise Wilt was written in one of my least favorite styles - what I can only refer to as 'slapsticky'. Too cute, too witty, too…lots of things, Tanner rubbed me the wrong way. She had so many epiphanies during her adventures with Mrs. Wilt, it just boggled the mind! All in all, it was an enjoyable, average read, in spite of my reaction to Tanner's character.
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Helen P. (Lynn, MA)
ROAD CONNECTION
This book is not my usual genre; I found it fun but implausible. This is a cozy mystery involving a young woman, Tanner, who needs a job and an older lady, Louise Wilts, who needs some help. The repartee between these woman, who can barely tolerate each other, grows into a friendship as they make a road trip. There is clever dialogue bringing in pop culture that will make you chuckle; however; for me, it didn't have depth. If you enjoy feel-good stories that debunk preconceived notions, how words can build or destroy a person, this light mystery may be for you.
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