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The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

by Colleen Oakley

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  • Published:
  • Mar 2023, 352 pages
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There are currently 79 reader reviews for The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
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Jessy R

A fun ride!
A warm story about women who are there for each other - as friends, mothers, and even strangers - that puts those relationships, rather than romance, at center stage. Just as it took Tanner and Louise time to warm to one another, it took several chapters for this book to really hook me, but I ultimately found myself staying up late to race through the second half of the book, and smiling at the reveals through the end. I haven’t seen Thelma and Louise, and wonder whether I missed some “Easter eggs” because of that, but it wasn’t enough to keep me from enjoying this book.
Thank you to Net Galley and BookBrowse for the chance to read this one early.
Jackie H. (Naples, FL)

Friendship at all ages
I really liked this book. Like the book THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LINNI AND MARGO, it is a story of a special bond between an older woman and a younger woman. Throw in family dynamics for both, a lot of surprises and escapades à la Thelma and Louise, and you have a good read! Loved the characters! As a young octogenarian I found the book fun to read.
Power Reviewer
Sandi W. (East Moline, IL)

Such a fun story.
Such a fun story. Character driven, laugh out loud funny, mystery. Put an octogenarian and a 21 year old together on a cross country road trip in an aging Jaguar, add in a decades old crime and a failed soccer career, then put a twist at the end. That sums up to one hilarious novel you just can't put down.
WDH - Kentucky

Fun, Easy Read
Fun read with interesting characters and a storyline that keeps your interest. Better than some other generational gap connection books I've read. A bit predictable in parts but overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend.
Patricia S. (Lake Wylie, SC)

Fun Read
This was a fun, lighthearted read, which I quite enjoyed. The characters were likable and the juxtaposition of a free-spirited older character and a rather conservative, "younger character don't break the rules" was a nice twist. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a nice escape from the world through reading.
Cathy Zavodny

An unexpected Road Trip
I loved this story about a fun odd pair! Louise is an older witty, crotchety lady. Tanner is a 21 year old college soccer player who is bitter about losing her scholarship due to an injury. Tanner gets kicked out of her parents’ home and becomes the caretaker for Louise.
After Louise gets a phone call from someone from her past, Louise wakes up Tanner in the middle of the night demanding that Tanner take her on an unexpected road trip.
They run into some difficulties along the way as they are running from the law. The mystery aspect kept the story going.
Louise E. (Ocean View, DE)

Lighthearted Romp!
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise was an enjoyable book. Pairing up an older woman with a younger woman for a car trip makes for an interesting intergenerational story. Then you add in a hunky young man. What's not to like? There are some unexpected twists to the story. The characters were believable and Louise's back story was interesting. A lighthearted romp!
Alison K. (Hamilton, NJ)

Spend time with someone from another generation to learn more about yourself
Despite a slow start with two unlikable characters, I found myself drawn into this book and loving both Tanner and Louise by the end. I liked the way each of their stories unraveled, especially learning the truth about what Louise left behind. I also liked how Tanner grew and came to appreciate her mother more during the journey as well as her new career aspirations.

About the supporting characters, it was a hoot to finally meet George, and I would have loved to hang out with George and Louise in their younger days. The August subplot seemed a little superfluous (was he there to have a 'Brad Pitt' type?), but it was fun anyway.

This book is a good choice for anyone who likes girl-powered comedy road trips and surprise twist endings!

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