This was such a heartwarming story. I fell in love with both Tanner and Louise and found myself wanting to spend more time with them.

I love love love Tanner and Louise. I wanted to hide under a blanket in the back of the car and go on the adventure with them!

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

Mr. King is right. Books are a uniquely portable magic.

Pick a story, any story. Crack the spine (or don’t, I know how some of you feel about that) and let the words on the page cast a spell on you to bring you to another time and place. “The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise” by Colleen Oakley is just the story to rip you from your current worries and transport you into another life. It’s not fantasy or sci-fi, but it is based in a different reality than the one I live in, and I was excited to spend time getting to know Tanner and Louise. Their unconventional friendship reminds me of my best friends. We are very different people, and we’re following very different paths in life, but we’re on the journey together and ready for the unexpected adventures along the way.

“In life, there were two kinds of friends: friends who would wish you well on your journey to battle, and friends who would jump in the trenches with you.”

never judge a book by its cover
Never Judge a Book By it’s Cover
This may shock some of you… I wanted to read this book solely from the cover. A beautiful blue background like the wide open sky, and a car with two people driving off into the sunset. You had me at hello, Berkley! Reading is a way to escape the everyday rat race monotony. I knew that there was an adventure waiting for me between these pages and I was not disappointed. Tanner and Louise get up to hijinks that made me hold my breath: a jewel heist, hidden guns, picking up strangers in hotel bars… and that’s from the octogenarian!

“People always said life was short, but it wasn’t. Not really. You could cram so many different lives into one. Be so many different people. Louise would know. She’d been at least three.”

“The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise” is about personal connection, the story of getting older (but maybe not wiser) and how to adapt when your plan changes on the spot. Oakley finds the perfect recipe for success in this novel: laughter, adventure, intrigue, love, and respect. I hope that, like me, you’ll be thinking about this story and these characters days after finishing the book.

Also, just for fun, drop a comment and share your favorite road trip memory. Or, if you’d prefer, your favorite road trip snack.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley was pure joy. I love this trope in fiction when an elderly person is suddenly stuck with a younger person. Watching their relationship grow was pure joy! Tanner figuring out who Louise really is was also lots of fun.

Well, this book is pure fun. An unlikely bond forms between 21 year old Tanner and elderly Louise. Tanner takes a job as a caretaker for Louise. Tanner doesn’t necessarily wants this job but she’s limited on options and Louise certainly doesn’t want a caretaker but her daughter demands it.
.
Tanner just assumes that Louise is a sweet elderly woman, until she realizes her shed is locked up like Fort Knox, there’s a jewelry heist on the run and before she knows it Louise shows up with a Go Bag. I need to see this one on the screen! It would be so fun and it’s out today!
.

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads @prhaudio and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was utterly fantastic, and I loved it! Tanner and Louise are such a great pair. I loved their separate stories, and how the author wove them together. It was beautiful right to the end. I can't stop talking about this one!

When college dropout Tanner agreed to be a live-in caregiver to Louise, she never imagined they’d end up on a road trip running from the law.

I loved this - it kept me guessing! I feel like I can’t get into specifics without giving anything away, but its part women’s fiction, part romance, part mystery/thriller. It’s a quick read, and I loved the audiobook.

This was such a fun story! Tanner and Louise make an unlikely pair, and their journey together is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt exchanges, and witty banter. They were some of the most likeable characters I’ve come across in a while, which made the reading experience that much better. There were moments of growth and self-reflection from Tanner, and themes of loss, perseverance, and wisdom from Louise. I loved how despite getting on each other’s nerves regularly, they were still able to overcome obstacles and learn from each other. This was fast-paced and quirky mystery with a great surprise twist at the end!

If you’re looking for an easy and upbeat read that will keep you pulled in the whole time, this is it!

I rated it 4.5 stars and rounded down to 4.

4.5 stars, rounded up. This was the most delightful surprise. Fabulous characters, hidden pasts, healing, and hilarity all wrapped into a fabulous story. I cruised through the audio of this in less than 24 hours. Utterly binge-able and un-put-down-able! If you're looking for romance, you won't find it here. But you will find a great story of two lonely and lost women who find themselves and true friendship among some wild and crazy events!

*Some strong language including f words, one super vague closed door/fade to black scene and other references to intimacy, some peril

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

Thank you Berkley for complimentary copies of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Hillary Huber.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is a modern day Thelma and Louise meets Golden Girls.

Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby & 84-year-old Louise Wilt are an unusual pair. After Louise breaks her hip from a slip on the rug, Louise’s family think it’s time for their mother to have a live in nanny. Louise completely disagrees. But her family, find Tanner, who is sort of in a limbo phase in her life. She lost her sports scholarship to Northwestern.

Tanner thought this was just a job where she would drive Louise and play video games 🎮 during her other hours. She didn’t expect to learn that Louise might not be who she says she is. She certainly didn’t expect she’d drive Louise across country.

I can’t begin to express how much I love the audiobook! The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is so quick witted. I was laughing and nearly crying throughout this book. I grew attached to the characters: Tanner and Louise.

I found Tanner to be pretty respectful. She abided by Louise’s house rules even playing video games 🎮 during hours Louise felt proper. The two women bicker and laugh together like old pals. I wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did, but it’s an incredibly easy read, the pacing is just right. I walked away from this book smiling about the journey.

I recommend this book to fans of Golden Girls. If you enjoy that type of comedy, then I feel like you’ll enjoy the snappy but funny Louise and the cross country FBI chase.

Tanner and Louise make an odd pair. But somehow they work well together. Secrets, lies and a spontaneous road trip in the middle of the night keeps the story moving along quickly. A quick read for fans of fiction with a touch of mystery.

Humor must be a challenge to write. A lot of authors try but most of the time the dialogue just isn't all that funny. Fear not, in Colleen Oakley's The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise you will definitely find time to laugh out loud. There is not a more unlikely pairing than main characters Tanner, an early twenty's dropout, and Louise, an 84 year old firecracker. A crazy event leads Tanner to agree to Louise to California, a decision that leads to big-time trouble. You won't find a better road trip story - this needs to be on your must read list!

If you’re looking for something fairly light and fun that still offers a bit of a twisty plot, this is it! The characters are so likeable; I was rooting for them without even knowing their full stories. A modern day Driving Miss Daisy meets Thelma and Louise. Loved it!

Happy Friday Y'all!

Coming at you hot with a book I can't stop bragging about!

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

Surprised, huh? No need to adjust your eyes, this is NOT a thriller and YES I loved it.

I definitely consider myself a die hard thriller fan but when bookstagram starts buzzing about a book that typically wouldn't be on my radar, my FOMO kicks in and I just have to see what everyone is chirping about. So, I hit request, and Walaaaah, here we are.

No regrets on this one. I loved this one from start to finish. Never once did I want to put the book down and even carried it to the bathroom so I wouldn't miss a beat. Colleen Oakley is an author that needs to be on everyones radar. I am ashamed to admit this was my first book by Oakley, but don't you fret, I ran right on over to amazon and purchased her backlog.

This story warmed my heart, I fell in love with both Tanner and Louise and wished so hard that they existed in real life! This book is an adventure from start to finish, a ride you just won't want to get off of.

I still can't believe I am swooning like this over a book!

Teaser:

A Good Morning America Buzz Pick * A Marie Claire Book Club Pick for April * A Reader's Digest Book Club Pick for April * A LibraryReads Pick * One of Southern Living's Most Anticipated 2023 Releases * One of Today's Most Anticipated 2023 Releases

An unforgettable pairing of a college dropout and an eighty-four-year-old woman on the run from the law in this story full of tremendous heart, humor, and wit from the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.

Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.

One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon.Bottom line: Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.

The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?

Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.

This book is a laugh out loud, need a box of tissues, suspenseful, jaw dropping roller coaster of a ride! When Tanner and Louise are thrown together by circumstances out of their control, they are forced to learn how to live with each other. Neither likes the arrangement and neither can truly tolerate the other. As Tanner broods about the path her life has taken, Louise quietly goes about her days. Through observation and a wild imagination, Tanner believes that Louise has a secret. One hasty decision in the middle of the night throws the unsuspecting pair into a wild ride. The ride unveils the depths people will go for each other. The journey reveals the value of friendship, forgiveness, and love. Oakley writes characters that are multifaceted and have great banter with each other. This isn't just an amazingly enjoyable, fast paced read. It is one that has unforgettable characters and a wonderful story. Not to mention a fantastic twist!

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise tells the story of a twenty year old and an eighty year old on a road trip. Louise is wanted by FBI for an alleged crime committed forty-eight years ago. She and her caregiver, Tanner, whose soccer career at Northwestern was disrupted by a freak fall from a balcony head off in a green Jaguar, hoping to escape the police. Tanner is trying to figure out her life and Louise is trying to tie up the loose ends of her own life. The women drive from Atlanta to Redding, California where Louise meets up with her old partner in crime. The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is a fun read. Book discussion groups may want to pair it with The Widows" Adventures by Charles Dickenson (1989), an excellent road trip novel

Thank you @berkleypub for the free book and @prhaudio for the audio version as well. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartner
This is one of the most amusing books I have read this year. When Tanner, a college drop-out, is hired to live with a reluctant 84-year-old Louise, Tanner is not at all motivated to do more than drive Louise to her appointments and then play video games all afternoon. Louise prefers to remain independent and does things in her own way. Soon, a couple of strange events lead Tanner to do some investigating and she is amazed at what she finds out, and before she knows it, she is caught up in a wild adventure!
This story is fast-paced and humorous. At first, I wasn’t sure about either main character but I ended up really liking both of them. The story alternates between the third person perspectives of both Louise and Tanner. There are also occasional (humorous) text conversations between Louise’s three adult children as well as conversations between the police or FBI. Everything resolves itself nicely in the end.
Hillary Huber does a fantastic job with the audio as she alternates from an older sounding voice to a younger voice and the other various male and female characters.
Read this if you enjoy:
*humorous stories
*women’s fiction
*fast-paced action
*likable characters

Thank you @berittalksbooks for organizing such a fun read!

I think this is Colleen Oakley's best book yet! This road trip adventure includes a cast of quirky and lovable characters, with several little "twists" and "surprises" for the reader. Tanner and Louise's story will make you wonder just how well you know your elderly relatives! ;) It's a very sweet and fast-paced novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Highly recommend.

Tanner is a college-aged student who lost her scholarship and her future dreams with one accident. She is floating driftless through life until her parents decide to take the tough love route and kick her out.

Louise is a blunt octogenarian who is no longer as independent as she once was. Her daughter connects her to Tanner to help her out around the house.

When Louise appears in Tanner's room in the middle of the night saying they need to leave immediately and are on the run from the cops Tanner has a decision to make. Should she continue her blah day to day or take the adventure (with the out Louise kidnapped her of course)

I always find myself drawn to these unlikely friendships and the adventures they get into and the lessons they teach each other. Tanner and Louise fit the bill perfectly for me with the added bonus of a little mystery with a dual-timeline revelation of what was really hiding in Louise's past.

This book is a joy! Great combination of mystery, found family and road trip story. I loved the intergenerational relationship between Tanner and Louise. Both characters were well-crafted and the relationship between them was funny, emotional, and heartwarming. The interspersed conversations amongst Louise's children as they wondered what happened to their mother were hilarious and added much enjoyment to the story. Five huge stars!