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Today I have a review for Three Things About Elsie, Joanna Cannon’s newest release out on Tuesday. I won this stunning ARC from Books with Taylor on Instagram HERE. She is fun to follow with news of upcoming releases and beautiful book pics.

My Thoughts:

Before I start the review, you should know that I have an affinity for the number three. Sometimes I notice I have three of the same item in my grocery cart, or when I buy something I really, really like, I want to have three of it- a back-up, and one more back-up for good measure. I never take this too far, but the number three is fun for me. A bonus! 😂 So when I saw the title Three Things About Elsie, I knew there would be something extra special about this book.

84-year-old Florence is our narrator, and at the beginning of the novel, she has just fallen in her assisted living apartment. Poor Florence is on the floor waiting for someone to find her, and in that time, she worries about about a terrible secret that may be exposed. She tells the reader the following about Elsie, her best friend:

“There are three things you should know about Elsie.
The first is that she’s my best friend.
The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better.
And the third thing…might take a little bit more explaining.”

There is an underlying mystery to be solved, and these elderly women, along with their friend Jack, set out to solve it. Florence and Elsie are thick as thieves, lifelong friends, true to each other, and a testament to friendship.

As the mystery is examined, Florence notices things are missing, out of place, out of the ordinary, and if she brings this up to the people who care for her, the threat of moving her to a new place with more supervision is looming (because clearly the problem “must” be memory loss due to her age). Florence’s memories of the past are hazy and not always exact, which can be frustrating for her, and understandably so.

Overall, I found Three Things About Elsie to be an uplifting story about the love between friends, aging and challenges with memory, loneliness and the needs for independence, importance, and utility at any age.

My mom usually reads my reviews, and I say this with the gentlest heart. The biggest takeaway from this book for me personally reinforces something I strive for (and not always successfully): to always let my aging parents know they are vitally important in my life. They have many useful and helpful ideas to offer, and they continue to be wise to the ways of the world.

Thank you to Taylor at Books With Taylor on Instagram for my ARC win. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis:

There are three things you should know about Elsie.
The first thing is that she’s my best friend.
The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better.
And the third thing… might take a little bit more explaining.

84-year-old Florence has fallen in her flat at Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As she waits to be rescued, Florence wonders if a terrible secret from her past is about to come to light; and, if the charming new resident is who he claims to be, why does he look exactly like a man who died sixty years ago?

From the author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP, this book will teach you many things, but here are three of them:
1) The fine threads of humanity will connect us all forever.
2) There is so very much more to anyone than the worst thing they have ever done.
3) Even the smallest life can leave the loudest echo.

Have you read any of Joanna Cannon’s books, or have you read any great literary fiction lately? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR