Gina Rae Mitchell

The Kiminee Dream by Laura McHale Holland | Book Review

A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me the information for this tour.

The Kiminee Dream by Laura McHale Holland
Published by Wordforest on 05/02/2020
Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 342

Odd things happen in Kiminee, Illinois. Lilacs bloom in winter. Gravel glows golden on occasion. Pigs play kick the can. So when Carly Mae Foley learns to read at age two and masters multiplication at age three, the town's quirky, tight-knit denizens take it in stride and embrace her with pride.

But when a terrible twister tears through, Carly Mae is maimed, dashing hopes for her future. Her father is swept away and assumed dead. And her mother slinks off after creeping, naked, with her lover from the remains of a ruined home. It's up to Carly Mae's grandmother and a devoted, one-eared dog to hold what's left of the family together.

But not everyone is rooting for them, and when an unspeakable crime occurs, long-held animosities boil over. Will the good folks of Kiminee pull closer together now--or be torn apart?

Influenced by folklore and magical realism, The Kiminee Dream is a lyrical story with characters equally charmed and challenged while living where the ordinary and miraculous coexist seamlessly. If you like depth as well as whimsy, arresting twists, and details that rouse your senses, you'll love what is both an eloquent exploration of acceptance and a tender tribute to the people of Illinois.

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Source: iRead Book Tours, Received from the author or publisher for review.

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Purchase Links for The Kiminee Dream

Amazon     Amazon UK     BookShop

Barnes & Noble     Kobo      iTunes 

Waterstones     The Book Depository    Chapters/Indigo

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My thoughts on The Kiminee Dream

This story is truly magical. I was hooked from the opening paragraphs and read it in one day.

I loved the mysterious small town of Kiminee. The author creates a wondrous world with rich characters and believable but far-fetched escapades.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “the past is the past; nothing can change it. All we can do is change how we feel about it.” This seems to be a lesson we can all learn.

The residents of Kiminee are each enchanting, whether in a loveable or curmudgeonly way. Coming from a small town in Illinois myself, I know the power, good and bad, that towns like this carry. They truly can be magical. I appreciated the explanation at the beginning of the book on who the main players were. I referred to this several times while reading.

The author is an extraordinary storyteller. This art seems to be rare in today’s world, where instant gratification is the norm. The slow-building of the story, the twists in the path, and how it all ties together in unexpected ways at the end make this one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I think it will stay with me for a long time, which is quite a tribute to the author and her words.

I hope you give this amazing book a chance. It’s a rare gift to the reading world.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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Giveaway!

Enter to win a signed copy of both THE KIMINEE DREAM and AUNT TRULY’S TALES, plus a $25 Amazon Gift Card (1 winner/USA only)(ends June 25)

Laura McHale Holland’s THE KIMINEE DREAM Book Tour Giveaway

Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!

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Purchase the book online from a local book store.

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The Kiminee Dream: a novelShop on Amazon The Kiminee Dream: a novelShop on Amazon The Kiminee Dream: a novelShop on Amazon

 

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