Truth of the Matter

Potomac Point

By: Jamie Beck

Narrated by: Tanya Eby, Lauren Ezzo, Janet Metzger

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Starting over means looking back for a mother and daughter on the road to reinventing themselves in a moving novel about family secrets and second chances by Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jamie Beck.

Seventeen years ago, two pink stripes on a pregnancy test changed Anne Sullivan’s life. She abandoned her artistic ambitions, married her college sweetheart before graduation, and - like the mother she lost in childhood - devoted herself to her family. To say she didn’t see the divorce coming is an understatement. Now, eager to distance herself from her ex and his lover, she moves with her troubled daughter, Katy, to the quaint bayside town of Potomac Point, where she spent her childhood summers.

But her fresh start stalls when the contractor and onetime love interest renovating her grandparents’ old house discovers a vintage recipe box containing hints about her beloved grandmother’s hidden past. Anne is drawn into exploring the mysterious clues about the woman whose memory is fading, while also helping her daughter manage a rocky adjustment to a new school. When uncovered secrets shatter past beliefs, each woman must confront her deepest fears in order to learn it’s never too late to live her best life.

©2020 Write Ideas, LLC. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Beck spins a poignant, multigenerational coming-of-age tale as these three women navigate their identities, dreams, and love lives. Complex and introspective, this is by turns heart-wrenching and infectiously hopeful.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“This is [a] sharp and graceful tale of mothers and daughters, secrets and tangled family histories. Jamie Beck brings her clear-eyed prose style and smart characterizations to the story of a mother and daughter doing their best - and often failing - to make their way to a new life after a divorce. A thoughtful, moving book from a writer stepping into the fullness of her talents.” (Barbara O’Neal, best-selling author of When We Believed in Mermaids)

Loved it

I wasn’t sure about this one but it quickly grew on me after the first couple chapters. I enjoyed the different stories that were woven into the book from each main character. I’m usually a reader of mysteries and fictional family stories don’t typically draw my interest. However this series is definitely different. I absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a breakaway and heartwarming read.

Enjoyed it!

My only criticism is that the narration sometimes made it hard to tell when there was dialog among the characters or that what was being said were the thoughts of the character while in that conversation…it was frustrating. Also, the narration sometimes seemed rushed. However, the main narrator did have a pleasant voice and the narrator’s voice for Katy was a good choice.

loved it

this series was really good. I'm really enjoying this author and look forward to reading more.

Slow start but good

The book was slow at the beginning but then became interesting especially when the grandmother came into the story.

It was interesting if you have kids with issues. It's relatable.

Truth of the matter

Another greatbook Jamie. Generations of women struggling to be their best, be there for family and stay true to themselves. Congratulations, I cant wait to read the next book.

Loved this!

This story was engaging and the depth of the characters’ emotions and challenges gets you invested quickly.

Truth of the Matter

This one left me with lots of mixed feelings. One one hand I really enjoyed it and then I found myself wanting to put it aside. If I had been reading it on my kindle I probably would have put it aside but since I was listening on audio I kept going and I'm glad I did. I started to get wrapped up in the lives of Anne and her daughter Katy, a troubled teen trying to navigate not only her teen years but the divorce of her parents. Anne gave up her budding artist career when she found herself a pregnant young woman and she married young and stayed home to take care of Katy and her husband but then he leaves her for a younger woman (gah! I found I disliked the way he talked to Anne and Katy throughout the book). Anne moves her and Katy to Potomac Point to her grandmother's house after the divorce and during the renovation a recipe box is found. When she takes it to her grandmother looking for answers it seems there are secrets to her grandmother's past and dementia not only brings some to the forefront but keeps some hiding. This story shows us there is so much going on behind doors we will never know and yet we should never take for granted what we have. I'm glad I did listen to the whole thing and ended up enjoying the ending.

Parenting Ain't for Sissies

This tale was at times so poignant as it explored the fragile mother-daughter bonds of generations, We all know new babies don't come with a handy "Parenting for Dummies" book, and it doesn't get any easier as they get older. In fact, the rules seem to change just about the time you think you have them figured out! Then pack on some truly life changing events like divorce and moving to a new town to the mix, and BINGO, your teen probably now hates you. For everything. It's all your fault, and you can do nothing right.

Anne, like so many women, has made it her life's mission to be the best mother she can be. Suddenly she knows she's a dismal failure at it. But as she's trying to navigate the minefield of her new life, she discovers pieces from her family's past that bear significance for her today.

This is a beautifully written novel with all the real, raw, grungy, and fabulous emotions that happen to families. It's a story of love and commitment, of what was given up for love, and what was regained for joy.

Emotional!

I was engrossed by this examination of parenthood, divorce and grief as three generations of women reflect on familial relationships, life choices and family disfunction. Anne is a devoted but disillusioned mother, Katy exhibits disturbing behavior and Gram is lost in memories that are slowly revealed and teach them all lessons about dealing with adversity and pursuing your dreams. I felt a deep emotional connection to all three characters, I liked the budding romantic relationship between Anne and Dan and the small town setting. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the narration performances of Tanya Eby, Lauren Enzo and Janet Metzger.