Greetings From Tucson
Cherie Genua
263 Pages
December 11, 2021
Poppyseed Press
Book Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59070738-greetings-from-tucson
Amazon: https://geni.us/greeting-from-tucson
A coming-of-age story with true love at its core, Greetings from Tucson tells the heartwarming and uplifting story of four sisters’ lives through the lens of handwritten letters. These long lost letters, found decades after they were penned, at one time formed a lifeline that held the sisters together when their worlds were otherwise falling apart…
In June of 1945, tragedy struck and sisters Cookie, Frankie, Dottie, and Connie were torn from everything they knew—their parents, their home, and, most importantly, each other. Forced to live thousands of miles apart, they feared their bond would be broken. The four sisters began writing letters to share every detail of their young lives, celebrating milestones and mourning heartbreaks from afar.
Through these letters, they strengthened their relationship when the odds were so stacked against them. That is, until one sister’s secret from the past changed everything. Would she break the fragile bond they worked so hard to nurture after their split so many years ago?
Inspired by a true story
From the author (Cherie L. Genua):Greetings from Tucson is inspired by my grandmother’s early life after both her parents’ tragic deaths in the 1940s. Soon after my grandmother passed away in 2012, I discovered a shoebox filled with pastel-colored envelopes stuffed with handwritten notes. There were countless letters stacked up inside that were sent to my grandmother from her sisters—she kept them for decades tucked away in her closet. I will never forget their smell—rosewater mixed with the stale smell of vintage paper. These letters from the 1940s and beyond pieced together the stunning—and tragic—story of her early life and taught me that a sisters’ bond could never be broken, no matter how hard life became. A story that taught me sisters could be soulmates, too. Sisters separated by tragedy, strengthened by letters.
Author Bio:
After facing a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 34, Cherie co-authored the non-fiction book “Wisdom From Five Cancer Travelers: Lessons Learned” with others affected by the disease. She was declared “no evidence of disease” in 2019 and made it a mission to write and publish her first fiction novel, “Greetings from Tucson,” inspired by her grandmother’s story. Cherie lives in Connecticut with her husband, Matt, and their Portuguese Water Dog, Poppy. She holds a B.A. in English from Southern Connecticut State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Author links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21833820.Cherie_L_Genua
Greetings From Tucsonhttps://cdn.woorise.com/e.jsReview:
Title: Greetings From Tucson
Author: Cherie L. Genua
Release Date: December 11th, 2021
Page Count: 330
Start Date: March 7th, 2022
Finish Date: March 12th, 2022
Review:
Story: This story was just so beautiful and emotionally raw. It hit me in my feels. I cried. I’m not a person that cries really easy. So I hope this tells you something! The fact that it’s based on a real person and her sisters just makes it all that much more better. I’m so blessed that I was given a chance to read this book. It’s really touched me in ways I can’t explain. It will stick with me for a long time.
Characters: We follow four sisters through their life after a tragic event. Two in Connecticut (Cookie and Frankie) and two in Arizona (Connie and Dottie). In a way, I connected with all four of them. More Dottie than any of them. that doesn’t take place until later in the story though.
Critiques: Nothing. I mean I could be cheeky and say that this should come with a warning that tissues are needed. I’m still kind of teary eyed!
Narration: N/A
Final Thoughts: I really do think that this book will stick with me for a long time. I’m so tempted to go do research on the person that this book was based on. I’d love to see this turned into a movie. I was getting so many Little Women and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants vibes from this. I fully recommend it. As long as you are prepared to be hit in the feels by such an amazingly beautiful story. I’d give it a thousand stars if I could.
Playlist:
This playlist was helped by Roxy Sterling, Karen L., and Courtney E. I am so thankful to have these three lovely ladies in my life. They are the best friends a girl can ask for.
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