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With a degree in English and graduate work in Creative Writing, Debra McKenna worked as a feature writer and editor for city magazines in Sacramento, Denver, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas for over nine years. "Recovering from Life" is her first novel. For an excerpt and free Kindle download from Amazon, please visit her website at debramckenna.com
Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite
Life is about to throw Stephanie McCarthy the ultimate curve-ball. Due to his drug addiction, her husband has gone missing and has made sure that she is broke with no place to live. In Recovering From Life by Debra McKenna, freelance writer Stephanie suddenly ends up with nothing, and it is all because of the choices her husband has made behind her back. With the help of her best friend, Lee, and a few more people she meets along the way, she must learn to move on and become the strong independent woman she knows she can be. It may be a tough road with plenty of ups and downs, but Stephanie is determined to crawl out of this emotional and financial hole that her husband put her in.
I absolutely adored this book. I think we have all been at a place in life where we can relate to Stephanie’s struggles, so it was refreshing to read about something so authentic. From the plot to the characters’ thoughts and reactions, everything about this book was believable. I was so immersed in this story and in Stephanie’s life that I constantly went to bed wondering what will happen to her. I can’t say that about a lot of novels I have read. Debra McKenna is a fantastic storyteller. Not only was Stephanie’s life realistic, but the plot was so unpredictable. I am a huge chick lit fan, and even I can admit that most endings to these books can be seen coming from a mile away. However, I was pleasantly surprised to read an ending that I was not expecting. With likable (and equally unlikable) characters, an entertaining, sometimes amusing plot, and a truly inspiring, hopeful story, Recovering From Life is a must-read. I hope to see many, many more novels from this author. I am definitely a fan.
