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Steven Crandell has been a writer ever since he almost flunked second grade for having very messy handwriting. He has four children and two grandchildren, all of whom bring him joy. Besides Amy, he’s the author of Silver Tongue: Secrets of Mr. Santa Barbara. He also writes a newsletter on LinkedIn (Confessions of a Supermarket Cashier) and a series on Substack called Choosing Love Again: A True Story of Heartbreak, Healing & Hope.
Reviewed by Danelle Petersen for Readers' Favorite
A is For Amy by Steven Crandell is the delightfully sweet tale of Amy Dellaconta Franklin, an independent mother of three who, at 26, never knew her life would turn into such a train wreck. Drowning in debt thanks to her late husband, Amy tries to salvage what she can by dipping into her emergency account. But when sexy milkman Charlie takes a step onto her property, things take a dangerous turn. Charlie makes her feel desired, and most importantly, he makes her feel seen. Amy makes the conscious decision to jump back into the dating pool and regain her 'je ne sais quoi.' But a pesky co-worker with a pert butt seems to have her eye on Charlie, too. What’s a girl to do? When her husband’s real estate co-worker, Ed, brings viewers over without her say-so, a disgruntled Amy provides them with a rather unconventional send-off. Who does Ed think he is? Join Amy on her hilarious yet utterly relatable journey of getting her groove back. Will her quest be a success, or should she just accept defeat?
Steven Crandell weaves a story of a woman who finds herself newly widowed with three children to care for. Frequent meltdowns and bouts of depression are to be expected. Funny and delightfully entertaining, A is For Amy does have its dark moments, as feeling overwhelmed and stressed is a regular part of life. However, Amy’s positive outlook and devotion to her children leave an endearing impression. She was relatable in her struggles, and her hilarious reflections made me love her even more. Unpredictable with a delicious plot twist, the storyline conveys a strong woman intent on grabbing her second chance by the horns and owning it. Amy was handed an incredibly raw deal, but she managed to stay positive, and I think that is what attracted people to her. Amy is adamant that she is not a single mother, but an independent mother, which speaks volumes about her outlook on life, and readers can learn a lot from her. This book is for all the independent mothers who know that they deserve their happy ending.
