Flying Solo

A Novel

De: Linda Holmes

Narrado por: Julia Whelan

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A woman returns to her small Maine hometown, uncovering family secrets that take her on a journey of self-discovery and new love, in this warm and charming novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over.

“A testament to the truth that love comes in all shapes, sizes, and situations.”—Jodi Picoult

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR, PopSugar

Smarting from her recently canceled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown of Calcasset to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be ninety-three. Alongside boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie’s curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to the never-married Dot that ends with the line “And anyway, if you’re ever desperate, there are always ducks, darling.”

Laurie is told that the duck has no financial value. But after it disappears under suspicious circumstances, she feels compelled to figure out why anyone would steal a wooden duck—and why Dot kept it hidden away in the first place. Suddenly Laurie finds herself swept up in a righteous caper that has her negotiating with antiques dealers and con artists, going on after-hours dates at the local library, and reconnecting with her oldest friend and her first love. Desperate to uncover her great-aunt’s secrets, Laurie must reckon with her own past and her future—and ultimately embrace her own vision of flying solo.

With a cast of unforgettable characters and a heroine you will root for from page one, Flying Solo is a wonderfully original story about growing up, coming home, and learning to make a life for yourself on your own terms.

Great story but I don’t like it.

I think she is the perfect example of ‘cutting off her nose to spite her face’. She is half living two lives because she can; it’s her choice. I’m left hoping she will realize, before it’s too late, that she can choose to live one, full life without having to admit that she might just be too stubborn for her own good. I live alone but I am not lonely. I get that part. But I would never deprive myself of a relationship I know I want to prove that I’m not wrong being happy on my own. The saddest part is the constant allusion to things… see these things… the accumulation of all these things are proof of a happy life!! NO! They are not!

Good/ok

I liked the story. Loved the narration. It was enjoyable, I would’ve preferred it for a discount rather than a whole credit.

fun and interesting

Great fun listen. Both the story and the narration great. Enough details to feel empathy without bogging down. Thanks

Love me enough to let me live alone.

I listened to this book in one day I just could not stop. As an unmarried 40 something year old woman with no children I found pure and utter delight in this book. Linda Holmes seemed to capture the essence of what it is to be a happy 40 somthing solo woman this day in age and packaged it in a cozy mystery box.

Laurie is a well rounded amazing character who I grew to love love as I listen to each page. She has an amazing job she's about to turn 40 and she's recently called off her wedding to a decent good guy. By most traditional standards Laurie may seem a bit crazy but we come to realize that she knows exactly who she is. Her goal is to live her life in a way that is true to herself. And It is through solving the mystery left by her favorite unmarried aunt who recently passed that Laurie's life plan becomes sharper and more in focus. Laurie wants love and companionship as much as anyone but it needs to make sense in her life. And to see a character like Laurie in a novel was refreshing and expertly executed.

This book does not hit you over the head with messages and themes of diversity of lifestyle and inclusion of differing options but they are casually integrated into the storyline that make total natural sense. Ms. Holmes created a world that looks very much the one I inhabit. She did it expertly with an engaging story and funny lovable characters.

I am so very glad that I used a credit to listen to this book and I can not wait to add Ms Holmes to author reading list.

Flying Solo

Sweet story with some twist and turns! Julia Whelan brings every book she reads to life.

Delightful!

I loved this book from the first few sentences. The mystery that weaves through most of the story has such a fun and unexpected resolution. And of course…Julia Whelan is perfection.

Compelling, quick read

Flying Solo was a charming and enjoyable quick read. And Whelan is always a great narrator.

Some inconsistencies but good overall

There were a few plot inconsistencies with character development, but that aside, it was a lovely story. No spoilers so no specifics.

Pretty great

I might slightly prefer her first book, but I love them both and could happily LIVE in the Linda Holmes literary universe (LHLU)….especially if narrated by Julia Whelan. Such a perfect pairing.
More, please.

Beautiful Tale

As a childless woman by choice myself I really enjoyed finally seeing myself in a fictional character! This is a fun, heart warming novel and I loved the exploration into the wood duck