Just Wondering by Jianna Higgins

• File Size: 1037 KB
• Print Length: 281 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Southern Star Publications (April 21, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English

To purchase a copy of Just Wondering click here.

Publication Date: April 21, 2014

Just Wondering begins with Just Looking and Just Waiting, and concludes Alice's story with an additional 50,000 words. The short story, Just Looking was a top 5 finalist in the Kindle Best Indie Book Awards 2013 in short fiction. Just Wondering is a nominee in the Global Ebook Awards 2014.

The day has arrived when Alice can no longer live alone. She forgets to take her meds, and she was caught feeding teabags to her elderly cat, Bella. Her daughter delivers her to Sorrento Retirement Facility, but getting her to stay is a battle of wills. She wants to be with Bella, not stuck in a prison for old people who haven't committed a crime.

But Alice finds some unexpected surprises--new friends who assist her on a rescue mission. Alice likes Henry, but unfortunately, orange-haired Ruby decides he's hers, because she saw him first.

While trying to make a life-changing decision, Alice becomes embroiled in a mysterious theft. The police are too busy to investigate fully, so Alice sets to work. 

My take on this book:

At seventy-five years old Alice Williams is still a sharp,spunky character, but she does forget a few things so her daughter Karen decides she can no longer live alone, and finds a place for her at the Sorrento Retirement Facility. Alice considers this a prison for old people, a place for them to die, and isn't going to stay, but she will look around for a bit. It doesn't take long for Alice to make a few friends,including a young girl named Lily who is doing community hours at the facility.She also meets an orange haired woman named Ruby and they become fast friends, but when a new man, Henry Taylor joins their group Alice is drawn to him, but Ruby likes him too. Will this be the end of their friendship? While all this is going on a theft occurs and Alice becomes determined to get to the bottom of it! Can Alice solve the mystery? Read Just Wondering by Jianna Higgins and find out!

The cover of Just Wondering by Jianna Higgins really caught my eye, but the story inside really captured my imagination and wouldn't let go. Ms. Higgins easily grabbed me from the beginning pages with the character of Alice. She was such a funny character, even when she wasn't trying to be. She was also spunky, and even though she was dealing with memory loss she was still pretty sharp! She didn't hesitate to jump in and help a friend when she was being bullied, and I loved the way she didn't let the charge nurse Melanie Moth intimidate her. I really felt like Alice got a new lease on life by going to the Sorrento Retirement Facility, and truly made me think differently about such places. The friendships that were made were wonderful,especially the friendships Lily made, it was just what she needed to boost her confidence.The character of Ruby Smith was great, I could easily imagine her, and honestly couldn't wait to see what she might say or do next!There was never a dull moment with the story, and while there were a few serious moments, there were plenty of fun filled scenes, the antics sometimes reminded me of high school, and on more than one occasion had me laughing out loud!  The mystery woven into the story wasn't easy to solve and lent a cozy feel to the story for me. While Just Wondering is the first book I have read by Jianna Higgins it certainly wont be my last, her writing style is engaging,her descriptions are very realistic, bringing the characters and setting to life. Anyone who enjoys a well written, humor filled read with strong characters, and a well written mystery won't be disappointed!

reviewed for readersfavorite.com