This book is a hoot! I was in from the beginning as the generation gap between Tanner and Louise erects walls that we know will come crashing down as they cross the country in that green jag on the cover. There are mysteries in the past that establish the destination on the opposite coast. Who are they going to see? Will Tanner hang in there for the entire journey? Road trip books can really provide relationship building time and Oakley uses the trip from Georgia to California to do just that. Both Tanner and Louise are better for the journey and the reader is too. We are not just passive in this exchange. As we spend time with these two very different women, we are also changed. Don't miss this new title from one of my favorite authors. Pub date is tomorrow, March 28.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Louise is a widower needing assistance in her day to day life. Tanner is a recent college dropout in need of a job and place to live. Initially content to live in blissful avoidance, their worlds collide when Louise needs Tanner to be her driver when her past starts to catch up with her.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is laugh out loud funny and honestly- the entertainment I have been lacking in recent reads. The audiobook was narrated perfectly by Hillary Huber.

The storytelling was handled at a perfect pace and the end gave twist after twist that I never saw coming. This is my first book by Colleen Oakley but if The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is any indication of her talent, it won’t be my last. The romp I didn’t know I needed, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise!

Sometimes I have to think about a book after I finish it before I post my thoughts, but not with The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise. This story of a twenty-something on the run with a cranky octogenarian, through a series of circumstances that are no fault of her own, is fun, heart-warming, and a great reminder that, just because a body is old, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any more adventures to be had. Tanner and Louise are unlikely friends and allies, but maybe that’s what makes them so special. Thanks to much for the opportunity to review! The world needs more books just like this.

When Tanner Quimby begrudgingly takes a job as a live in caretaker for Louise Wilt, she knows she’s hit rock bottom. Bummed out a busted leg has derailed her college plans, she also figures she doesn’t really have anything better to do than drive “Miss Daisy”.

Meanwhile the elderly but spry Louise is just as thrilled as Tanner is with the new arrangement. After all, she’s done a fine job of looking out for herself for 80 plus years, thank you very much. This is how the pair find themselves reluctantly cohabiting like two ships in the night.

Then Tanner starts to notice some strange things. Why is Louise sitting in her car in the middle of the night? Why is the town cutie supposedly fixing said car, but not heading towards her garage? And why oh why does the wanted woman on the evening news look so much like Louise?!

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is a refreshing take on the road trip trope from underrated author, Colleen Oakley. Unlikely allies, both Tanner and Louise ultimately learn a lot about themselves by observing the other. While reading this, I couldn’t help but think of Dirty Dancing when the cute old Schumacher’s were the last people anyone would suspect to be the thieves. This book playfully reminds us to not judge a book by its cover, or its number of pages. 😉

Thank you Berkley for the gifted copy of this book.

Colleen Oakley has done it again, book friends. She has written a book that sucked me in from page 1 and made me laugh and cry and just adore every word on the pages. Louise is probably one of my favorite characters ever, and after briefly chatting with the author about our grandmas, I can see why I love her so much.

Louise is an elderly woman with Parkinson's and after a fall and broken hip, her daughter is insisting that she needs live in help. Tanner is a 20 year old college student that is recovering from an accident that destroyed her soccer career and in turn, turned her life upside down. Tanner's mom kicks her out after one too many fits of anger, and Tanner ends up moving in with Louise. Little things happen that starts to make Tanner wonder just who Louise Isaac and what exactly is she hiding, until one night when Louise wakes Tanner up and says they need to leave and go to California. Now.

Bits and pieces of Louise's past start falling into place as Tanner drives them cross country, yet things aren't exactly what they seem. As I finished the book, the title made perfect sense, and it made me giggle a bit.

I just honestly loved everything about this book, and the fact that it made me miss my grandma just added to that love.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: 3/28

I don’t know what to say about this book, except if you’re going to read one book this year, let it be this one. I have a feeling this will be my favorite book of 2023, and if I could, I would give it ALL the stars.

Tanner is a 21-year-old college dropout and former soccer player, and Louise is 84 years old and has trouble getting around after her hip surgery. Tanner needs a place to live, so she moves in with Louise to take care of her and drive her to her appointments. But this gun-toting, crossword puzzle-loving, elderly grandma is not exactly what she seems and is keeping quite a few secrets. When Louise wakes Tanner in the middle of the night to take off on a cross-country road trip, Tanner realizes that she doesn’t know the person she’s been living with at all.

This book gave me all the feels. My favorite part was the intergenerational friendship between Tanner and Louise. Their story was heartwarming and genuine, and I loved getting to know these two very different women.

Louise has been living a double life for a long time, and the secrets of her past come to light slowly. It was a lot of fun trying to put the pieces together without having all the information.
We get the story from both Tanner and Louise’s POV, and I loved the juxtaposition between their two perspectives of the same events! This isn’t just a story of an unlikely friendship but a story about strong women and how even strong women need some help along the way.

Full of laugh-out-loud moments and quirky and loveable characters, this book worked its way into my heart and is a story I’ll carry with me for a long time. I even shed a few tears along the way! This book made me miss my grandmother, who was a lot like Louise and the strongest person I’ve ever known.

Read this if you like: unlikely friendships, road trips, family drama, feminism, jewel heists, hilarious misunderstandings, twists, turns, and a romantic subplot. This is my first book by Colleen Oakley, but it won’t be my last! Get your copy of The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise when it hits shelves tomorrow! Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. A lot of reviews have compared it to Thelma and Louise. Sadly, I’ve never seen Thelma and Louise!

I loved the relationship between Tanner and Louise. I always think we have so much to learn from older people and sometimes they are not given enough credit for all they’ve seen and done. OK, Louise has seen and done a lot of things illegally. Still, we can learn from her right?

I loved this book so much! It's Thelma & Louise if one of them was a grandm!!

Louise needs some assistance at home, due to her age, her hip and ability to get around. Tanner is down on her luck, a bit lost and trying to find her way. They seem like the perfect fit - NOT! At first their interactions are awkward and tense.

But oh my as they start to get to know each other, they are hilarious. I laughed out loud so many times during this book!

Tanner sees a news story about a jewel thief from 40 years ago. They have "aged" the woman and she swears it could be Louise. Later, Louise appears in Tanner's bedroom in the middle of the night, tells her to pack immediately as they are hitting the road. She will pay Tanner to drive her to California. As they drive away, sirens are blaring and Tanner is sure Louise is, in fact, the jewel thief.

Their road trip was full of crazy adventures, twist and turns, and had me rolling And the way their relationship took a detour on the road as well just warmed my heart. And there were some twists I didn't see coming.

I highly recommend this gem! Such a fun read!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Bestselling Atlanta author Colleen Oakley delivers an exciting road trip adventure with two unlikely multi-generational characters for a suspenseful, heartwarming, witty, and highly entertaining read—THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF TANNER AND LOUISE. One road trip you do not want to miss!

A rip-roaring fun caper—two zany road trip companions form an unexpected bond in an uplifting novel about the past—lost and found.

Set in Atlanta, Meet 21-year-old Tanner Quimby, who had an injury and lost her college soccer scholarship and destroyed her dreams of playing professionally is out of a job and career.

Her parents told her she needed to get a job instead of sitting around playing video games in her sweatpants all day and night. They have kicked her out. She did not want to go to community college but wanted to return to Northwestern and live in her off-campus apartment with her friends. She is also good at working with cars.

Elderly Louise Wilt (widowed octogenarian) was married to Ken for 48 yrs. —she is eighty-four—eccentric, bright, and funny. Unfortunately, she fell and broke her hip, and her daughter Jules wants her to get live-in help to get her to the doctors and help around the house. Her children are Lucy, Jules, and Charlie. She wears Revlon Cherries in the snow pink lipstick, the same since 1972, with her orthopedic shoes, and loves her nightly cocktails.

The two meet and Tanner moves in as her caregiver. She plans on doing the least amount possible for this old lady and her bum hip, which smells of toilet water and something floral. She knows nothing about the internet or technology. How hard could it be driving her around to her appointments?

There is also a sexy, mysterious dude named August who helps Louise occasionally and is hot to look at, keeping Tanner interested.

However, there is more to Louise than meets the eye.

Ten days later, they are on the road, running from the law—this is when Tanner has a new respect for her fellow companion. She also has a gun and soon learns her new roomy may be a jewel thief.

Louise had a plan. She received a letter from George (the brains behind their operation). She must leave for California before it is too late.

Was she a jewel thief? Had she gotten away with her crime? A forty-eight-year cold case from Ohio led investigators to Atlanta. One of the most notorious and largest jewelry heists—in which more than $3 million of cash, jewels, and a 37-carat Kinsley diamond were stolen at a luxury hotel in Boston in 1975 and ended with no arrests.

Her daughter, Jules, reports her mom missing. Readers get updated with texts from Jules, Lucy, and brother Charlie with the police.

Louise continues to tell Tanner: "Enjoy your life of following the rules." Tanner had always followed the rules, and it had gotten her nowhere. This old woman lives on the edge; however, her children know nothing of her past. Tanner tries to figure out who Louise is.

In the meantime, Tanner feels ALIVE for the first time. She loves this escape and driving the (mint-green Jaguar XKE convertible model 1961-1975) across the country. Louise agrees to pay her and this will give her enough to go back to college. $10,694.00

Their banter is hilarious!

However, when she realizes they are in danger and Louise gives her an out, she wants all IN! This leads to an FBI hunt because Louise may be a suspect in a major jewel heist from 1975 and has lived under an alias since then. How was she connected to the mob?

What a wild ride! I loved Louise, Tanner, and August! A life changer for both Tanner and Louise. Loved the two together. Fast-paced, full of action, suspense, mystery, heart, and fun with well-developed characters.

Oakley's best yet! A total blast —I loved the satisfying conclusion. The testament to unlikely friends and the power of hidden strengths.

There is something about multi-generation characters together as they have so much to learn from one another. The elderly are wise and offer so much to the younger generation if willing to listen and get their face out of their phones, social media, and video games. I am always intrigued by grandparents and the elderly— and the secrets they keep. More grandchildren must quiz their grandparents about their mysterious secret pasts before they are gone.

From aging, unlikely friendships, being a woman during the 60s-70s, abusive relationships, love, crossing ethical lines, and making difficult choices.

For fans of Thelma and Louse and authors Mary Kay Andrews, Catherine Ryan Hyde's So Long, Chester Wheeler, and Mark de Castrique's Secret Lives. Louise Wilt (84 yrs old) and FBI agent-turned-boarding house landlady (75 yr old) Ethel Fiona Crestwater would make a great team with their sidekicks: nephew and Tanner.

Highly recommend! Get this gem on your spring/summer reading list!

INTERVIEW: Stay tuned for my #AuthorElevatorSeries QA with Colleen on March 28th, where we go behind the book and the author.

Thanks to Berkley and #Netgalley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. #CoverCrush I also pre-ordered the hardcover and the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Hilary Huber (it will be epic!)

Blog Review Posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: March 28, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
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This book was a delight to read, complete with layers or mystery and heartwarming moments. After being kicked out of her parents house, Tanner, whose college soccer career ended with an injury and her future now uncertain, moves in to help care for 84-year-old Louise. The woman is prickly and mysterious, and the plot only thickens when Louise and Tanner flee in the middle of the night. What ensues is a cross-country journey neither woman anticipated, with unexpected moments of never-before-shared honesty bubbling to the surface. A fun read with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy of this book. The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is a fun and surprising book. Two women: Louise, in her eighties, is recovering from a broken hip. Tanner, in her twenties, is living at home spending most of her days playing video games. Tanner takes a job as Louise's caregiver but suspects that there may be more to Louise than meets the eye. The story unfolds slowly but it's a super entertaining read.

Out March 28, 2023

I absolutely adored this book!! Louise and Tanner are a hoot but they also learn from each other along the way. Tanner learns that playing it safe isn’t always the best bet and Louise learns to open herself up to people.

Their adventure is full of heart and laughs. Ms. Oakley has hit it out of the park with this one!

BEEP! BEEP! Watch out Tanner & Louise are on the run in a mint-green, 1968 Jaguar convertible.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise finds two unlikely women racing across the country on a mission many years in the making. Louise is 84, and Tanner, her live-in caretaker, are literally running from the police. Louise has lived a complicated, secretive life up until a few days ago, and now she must make her way from Georgia to California in a few days time to save a friend.

Tanner, 21, gets caught-up in the shenanigans as she coaxed into driving Louise. Tanner has been going through the motions of life since breaking her leg, squashing her college soccer dreams. Forced from her parents basement, she moves in with Louise to help with her daily errands and simple tasks. Unbeknownst to her, Louise has been living a double-life and its all about to revealed.

Their cross-country adventure is horn honking good time. A friendship is forged between these two women as the mystery surrounding Louise background is uncovered. I'm here for WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN.

Such a fabulous ride!

Thank you Berkley publishing for the complimentary copy.

Tanner is 21 and needs a place to live. Louise is 84 and after breaking her hip, her family is insisting she have someone move in to help her. This is how the unlikely duo find themselves living together. Until the night Louise burst in demanding they leave immediately. Can she really be on the run from the FBI?

I love older, witty characters in books! This one is such a delight to read with seriously funny parts and a lot of heart. The characters are so different but end up helping each other in various ways. The writing was great and I couldn’t put it down. I loved The Husband of Frick Island and wanted to read this one so much. Im so glad I did:)

What a fun interesting adventure with two likeable but unlikely characters! History and a mystery unfold as the two mismatched women embark on a cross country road trip beginning as almost strangers but ending quite differently. Proof that with a bit of compassion and understanding, those of any generation can learn from each other. You will laugh and perhaps tear up a bit but you will enjoy the ride. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a galley of this book for review.

This multigenerational novel will have you laugh out loud and give you all the feelings. There was mystery and humor that left me with lots of questions as I was reading in all the best ways.

This delightful caper is perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove and Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting who would like just a smattering of law breaking and adventure filled road tripping with their beloved curmudgeonly main characters. I fell in love with Tanner and Louise and suspect you will too.

A sweet story about two women who could not be more different. 21 year old Tanner becomes octogenarian Louise’s caretaker after losing her college scholarship and moving home. Louise wants nothing to do with her and has a secret of her own. together they travel cross country and along the way find themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Colleen Oakley, and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This book was so fun!! I was in the mood to read something that was feel-good, and this was absolutely the right pick. I LOVE anything that is the dynamic of an older woman and a younger woman teaming up together whether or not they get along, and this was so well done. There were several funny moments, several heartwarming moments, and a lot of adventure along the way. Tanner and Louise were a great pair that complimented each other so well; I found that I could relate to both of the women in various ways, and as a reader, the bond between them felt relatable and real. The book didn't shy away from a couple of harder topics either, and I appreciated Oakley for going in depth and highlighting some topics, such as depression in younger people and doing the overall right thing even if it seems wrong. I was able to root for both characters all along the way, and I enjoyed that the book had a few twists that genuinely surprised me. I didn't feel that the inclusion of a few chapters focused on the FBI was necessary, as it kind of took me out of the stride of the book. I would have also enjoyed diving in a bit more to Tanner's life outside of her relationship with Louise and seeing Louise's story revealed a bit earlier on. However, those minor details did not stop me from flying through this read, and all I can say now is that I'm ready to see Tanner and Louise on the big screen, so studios take note!

This one had to grow on me a bit, because at first I didn't really like Tanner OR Louise. The book starts with one of Louise's daughters reporting that her elderly mother has been kidnapped. Or so they think. In reality, Louise decides she needs to go on the run; for reasons we will learn later on, and she takes her caretaker/live in driver Tanner with her. Their adventure and their relationship ended up getting better, which in turn made the book harder to put down. If you can stick with it and bare through their annoying personalities in the beginning; this one is a feel good one.