When We Last Spoke by Marci Henna (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection-I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

About the book-

With the heart and humor of Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes and Rebecca Wells’s Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, author Marci Henna introduces you to the Cranbournes—a mostly lovable and undoubtedly nutty family who’ve had more than their fair share of hard times.

A beautiful blend of tears and laughter, When We Last Spoke tells the tale of sisters Juliet and Evangeline, who are dropped off by their Broadway-bound mother at their paternal grandparents’ Texas ranch in 1967. After their cherished father is killed in Vietnam, the girls are orphaned. Still mourning their son’s death, grandparents Walt and Ruby accept their role as guardians, only to be surprised soon after by another permanent houseguest’s arrival—Walt’s kooky mother, Itasca.

Fast-forward to the present, where the warmhearted home in which the girls grew up is now just a faint memory. The estranged sisters are in need of a good dose of Walt’s famous stargazing wisdom: “You’ve got to look real close. Pay attention to what’s around you in this life. You’re liable to miss something important if you don’t.”

Packed with plenty of quirky characters and hilarious escapades, this must-read novel also digs in deep to the things that matter most—family, friends, love, and forgiveness.


My thoughts-

I felt like the book got off to a slow start but picked up the pace towards the middle. In the present day there is a rift between the sisters and the reason for that comes to light through the novel. A lot of the book is set in the past, but I don't mind that because I love historical fiction. The girls' as children are sent to live with their grandparents, who love them unconditionally, but then their great grandmother also moves in and she is a little more harsh on them. I enjoy books like these where there are two time periods and I especially like that this one was set in small town Texas, which is super relatable to me because that is how I grew up too. Not within my grandmother's home but she lived in town too and I loved growing up in the same town as her and this book brought back some of those wonderful childhood memories. When We Last Spoke is the kind of novel that is easily turned into a movie and I am excited that is just what is happening with this novel. I can't wait to see it come to life on my screen. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who (like me) have to read the book before watching a show or movie adaptation.

The BetterCourse Premium Insulated Lunchbox

Disclosure of material connection- I received the product in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

 My husband works a ten hour shift in the emergency room as a nurse practitioner so he needs enough food sent with him to constitute a dinner. It can be difficult to send enough food for him if I don't have a container to hold all of his food, so previously he was just taking a couple of tupperware containers in a plastic bag...not my favorite thing in the world because it isn't a great environmental choice, but that was the only bag that was working for a while. I am so glad that I found the BetterCourse Premium Lunchbox. I had found lunchboxes previously that might have worked for him, but they were to feminine and there was no way he would have taken any of those. The BetterCourse premium lunchbox comes in a color that everyone will love and for added convenience comes with two different size bpa free containers for food. I love that it comes with the containers so that I automatically have a few that fit right in the box. Even when the containers are in the lunchbox together, they still leave plenty of room for maybe one more small container or a bottle of water. I like to fill the bigger container with a salad and then the smaller one with a casserole or soup or leftovers from our fridge. This lunchbox has made it much easier to prepare enough food for my husband to take to work to keep him full. I think it is the absolute perfect size for an adult or a teenager. I absolutely recommend The BetterCourse premium lunchbox to anyone looking for a decent sized carrier for their lunches.

The Company by Chuck Graham Book Review/Blog Tour

About The Company-

A meteor strike plunges the world into darkness. A stranger to the village of Brigos Glen restores power and light, supplied by three businesses, known as “The Company,” located beyond the forbidden mountains. The stranger reveals a plan so the Brigons can maintain thepower and share the light with outlying territories, which remain shrouded in darkness.

Now, seventy years later, The Company summons six Brigons, including the young engineer Sam Mitchell, to attend a conference in themountains of the forbidden Outlands. 

Responsible for compiling a report about Brigos Glen from his five companions, Sam learns how managers and villagers largely ignored theplan or compromised it to self-interest, forsaking their duty to share the light. They also took for granted The Company responsible for generating and transmitting the power.

In an ordeal fraught with failure, revelations, and judgment, Sam discovers the true identity behind The Company and learns the fate that may befall Brigos Glen . . . that is, unless he can stop it.

My Thoughts- 

I thought the concept of this book sounded fabulous, a modern day parable about the trinity. However, I found the book to be lacking. I felt like it was a drawn out story for an explanation that didn't occur until the last few pages of the book. I think there was a great idea behind the book and I liked the characters. I liked the entire concept of the book, just for me, I felt like there was something missing. I also thought it got off to a slow start, but I did appreciate the back story of how the "Last Day" went down. I felt like the book definitely picked up in the middle and continued to hold my attention to the very end.  I did think it was a good read overall, on a scale of 1 to 5, I would give it a 3. Of course, we all known opinions differ, so check it out for yourself and see what YOU think!

Purchase The Company on Amazon.

About Chuck Graham

Chuck Graham's legal career as an attorney in private practice spanned more than thirty-one years. He represented many local, national, and international clients, acquiring intricate knowledge about the often-overlapping structures of the corporate world. He also worked against those seeking to create racial division, including the Ku Klux Klan. He has served as a member of the state bar of Georgia since 1979 and an instructor to attorneys and judges through the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). He received the Medallion of Appreciation from ICLE.

Chuck is also a speaker and the author of Take the Stand (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996) and the compilations, A Year of Encouragement (Xulon Press).


*Disclaimer- I received a free copy of The Company through Litfuse for the purpose of this review/blog tour. All opinions are 100% my own

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