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Reviewed by Robert Collier III for Readers' Favorite
In Weeping Boughs Don't Break by Staci Troilo, Claudia is a middle-aged woman trying to rebuild her life after her husband, Leo, cheated on her and their marriage ended. She is buried in bills, worn out from years of emotionally carrying their family, and embarrassed by how much her life has changed. Just when she is trying to stand on her own, Leo becomes seriously ill. Because he never updated his legal paperwork, Claudia is still responsible for major medical decisions. That pulls her straight back into contact with his new young wife, his parents, and her own children, who are struggling to understand where their loyalties belong. Even with all this pressure, Claudia continues to show up for church events and community duties, although she is clearly exhausted. But with support from her best friend, Elise, and her growing bond with Trace, she begins to question how much more she can give. Before all hope is lost, will she finally be able to choose herself and start a new chapter?
Weeping Boughs Don't Break by Staci Troilo is a dramatic tale about Claudia's sense of responsibility, guilt, and ability to stop carrying everyone else's problems. While reading her story, I kept thinking about how many women are expected to function, no matter how drained they are. Some scenes made me frustrated on Claudia's behalf, especially when others assumed she would step in and fix everything. I liked that the book stays focused on ordinary problems instead of exaggerated plot twists. Thus, simple events like hospital conversations and town gossip made the story seem more authentic. By the end of the book, I was still thinking about Claudia and hoping she would finally give herself permission to rest and rebuild her own life. Overall, this story is engaging and compelling. Fans of women's fiction and intricate character stories will love it.
