Review: Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

A Southern novel of family and antiques from the bestselling author of the beloved Saving CeeCee Honeycutt 

Beth Hoffman’s bestselling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettable characters. Now her unique flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines in her compelling new novel,Looking for Me.

Teddi Overman found her life’s passion for furniture in a broken-down chair left on the side of the road in rural Kentucky. She learns to turn other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques, and eventually finds a way to open her own shop in Charleston. There, Teddi builds a life for herself as unexpected and quirky as the customers who visit her shop.  Though Teddi is surrounded by remarkable friends and finds love in the most surprising way, nothing can alleviate the haunting uncertainty she’s felt in the years since her brother Josh’s mysterious disappearance. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi is drawn home to Kentucky.  It’s a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family—and to find herself at last.  But first she must decide what to let go of and what to keep.

Looking for Me brilliantly melds together themes of family, hope, loss, and a mature once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. The result is a tremendously moving story that is destined to make bestselling author Beth Hoffman a novelist to whom readers will return again and again as they have with Adriana Trigiani, Fannie Flagg, and Joshilyn Jackson.

Released today in paperback Looking for Me is a a multifaceted story that will appeal to a broad range of readers.  There is such depth and richness to this story.  There is insight into the soul and the path that we take within this world...

"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave." (Looking for Me, Pg. 206)

With heart, characters that draw you in and an amazing setting this book is one that will leave you content after you finish.  This is also a great book to share with a book club because there are compelling statements throughout the book that can create some great dialougue, such as :

"Guides.  Everybody has them, but most people don't listen.  They say it's time to begin the journey.  What does that mean?" (Looking for Me, pg 187)  This simple statement can be discussed within the context of the book and in a broader way.  This is only one example in this wonderful read.  4 stars!