Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Abilene" by Dare DeLano is a poignant exploration of the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring strength of women. Set against the backdrop of a rugged Texas landscape, this novel weaves together the lives of three generations of women, each grappling with their own set of challenges and secrets.

At the heart of the story is twelve-year-old Len, a girl with an old soul and a yearning for the father she never knew. Her mother, Cora, has raised her alone, with the help of the matriarchal Aunt Jean, on their family ranch in Abilene. The narrative unfolds through the alternating perspectives of these three characters, providing a rich and multifaceted view of their inner lives and the world they inhabit.

DeLano's writing is evocative and grounded, with a keen sense of place that transports the reader to the dusty trails and wide-open skies of Abilene. The characters are drawn with depth and authenticity, from Len's innocent curiosity to Cora's quiet resilience and Jean's complex blend of strength and vulnerability.

The novel doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life, including abandonment, betrayal, and the struggle for self-discovery. Yet, it's imbued with a sense of hope and the transformative power of love and forgiveness. The women of Abilene are fighters, and their journey is one of pain, but ultimately, triumph.

What sets "Abilene" apart is its subtle incorporation of magical realism, which adds a layer of mystique to the narrative. The story is as much about the bonds that tie us to our past as it is about the courage to forge new paths. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond of family.

For those who appreciate Southern women's fiction with a touch of the extraordinary, "Abilene" is a must-read. Dare DeLano has crafted a debut that's both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, a novel that lingers with you long after the last page is turned.

This is a great read about the strength of women!

Dare DeLano’s story jumps between the experiences of 3 women and between the late 80s and early 2000s.

Len is a teen in the early 2000s and has never known her dad. She lives on a Texas farm with her mom and grandma, both supportive and strong women.

Cora is a college student in the late 80s and Len’s mom in the early 2000s. After years, Edison, Len’s dad, is still a question mark for her — after he left town abruptly she doesn’t know if she was his summer fling or more. Twists ensue and she runs into him again.

Jean is Len’s aunt and is jailed for shooting her husband in the late 2000s. As her story unfolds, she learns about emotional abuse, having thought abuse was only physical.

Dare DeLano’s writing is great. The book is edited well and has no extra fluff. The main characters are likable, flawed, and learn things. All good things in a book!


Thank you to Mint Hill Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I overall liked this book and felt an emotional connection with each of the three main characters. I had hoped for more character development especially in some of the minor characters like Rachel and her Mom as there was some pretty deep stuff there never really addressed. I would have also liked to know more about Roger and what his motives were. I found the ending a little sudden and the reason for Cora and Edison falling apart seemed a impractical. Overall, I think it was a nice story, quick read, and would love to see where these characters go in another book.

BOOK: ABILENE
AUTHOR: DARE DELANO
PUB DATE: O1 NOVEMBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Wow! What a wonderful, fast paced, can't stop turning the pages book. I loved it🥹🥹. I loved every single thing about this book, the storyline, the characters and the engaging writing. I read it all in a day, that's how wonderful it was!
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My favorite character is Jean, at first I didn't know how her story will affect the storyline, but it all made sense at the end. She was the victim of gaslighting and emotional abuse for 15 years at the hands of her husband. It was refreshing to see her awareness about the condition, her growth and healing. I almost cried while reading her part. Emotional abuse is just as traumatic as physical abuse(if not more)
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Coralee, the philosopher and a single mother and Lenora, her 12 year old daughter. I loved reading their POVs, especially Len's. There's a little element of magical realism here too. My heart went out to Cora because of her failed relationship with Len's father. I still admired her stegthen and the home she built for len
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Nevertheless, I'm happy it ended with a HEA with everyone getting their due comeuppance .

Abilene is the story of three women at different times in their lives. Len is 12 years old and has the gift of seeing things which often causes more struggles that combined with the search for who her father is and why did he abandon her and her mother. Len’s mother Cora is also on a search for herself. She became pregnant with Len while she was in college. Forced to drop out and care for Len, she is now trying to complete her degree, provide for her family and then hit with shocking news. Len’s Aunt Jean is also on a search for herself. Faced with her husband’s infidelity, she finds herself in jail for attempted murder and now must examine the years of abuse he has put her through.
Dare DeLano’s tells the story of these 3 women and how their lives intertwine. The plot is good but often confusing between going between the 3 women and often different time periods. I actually started the book several different times. The title threw me. Being from Abilene, I looked for more landmarks than I needed to and should have been more focused on the story. Aunt Jean’s story could have been a book of its own and often felt like I had to stop for a commercial to find out what was happening to her then go back to the story of Len and Cora. Once I stopped looking for more of Abilene and concentrated on the stories of each woman it became a quick and enjoyable read. I’m glad I picked it up to try one more time. It was worth it.
Thank you NetGalley, Dare DeLano and Main Street Rag Publishing Company, Mint Hill Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A must read novel, so full it almost bursts from the binding. So deeply touching and filled with the heartache of two women and a young girl, each alone in their circumstances and together in the unfairness of life. Jean is in jail for shooting her husband, feeling like she is crazy. Cora yearns for her college days and the love of Edison who up and left her. Len has always wanted to know her father-who he is, why he left before she was born. Family is on every page as you learn of how the women got where they are.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was very impressive for a debut author. Southern family drama at its finest. Len grows up wondering who her father is and why he didn’t stick around. Will the answer she finally gets be the one she wants? I enjoyed this slow burn mystery. Filed with secrets and drama but also hope.

This Southern Fiction novel, which takes place in Abilene, Texas, is basically told in three different voices: Len, Cora, and Aunt Jean.
Twelve year old Len, born "when the moon was full", has visions and senses things that are about to happen, causing her to black out. Her only hope in life is to know who her father is.
Cora, Len's mom, raised her daughter on her own, and often wondered why Len's father left, never to return.
Aunt Jean lives in a marriage that not too many would understand, least of all herself. A single act of transgression sends her to prison putting enormous stress and pressure on all family members.
The story is told in a past (1988) and present (2001) format, bringing the novel's storyline to an enjoyable and satisfying conclusion.
Based solely on my opinion, this debut novel was wonderfully written and without hesitation, I give it Five Stars!!
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of this book.

Wow! I can’t believe that ABILENE by Dare DeLano is a debut!
Len(ora), her mother Cora and her Aunt Jean are at the center of this fascinating story. Each of them is grappling with past and present lies, manipulations and misunderstandings. Thirteen year old Len has only an old, faded photo of the father who ran out on them before she was born. She longs for a father and constantly hopes and prays that she will one day find him. Then she hears the tail end of a conversation and thinks her mother calls her ‘a mistake’. Her world implodes.
Meanwhile, Aunt Jean is arrested for attempting to murder her controlling, philandering husband and while she is in jail, Cora sees something on Roger’s hospital room TV that literally takes her breath away and drains the blood from her face. Len takes notice and it reinvigorates her search for her father.
Told in dual timelines between 1988 and 2001 we see what secrets and lies have led to the stunning conclusion in 2001. This was definitely a slow build but a very enjoyable one. Kinda like when the roller coaster is pulling itself up; you can’t wait to get to the top but you know what’s coming is going to make your stomach drop.
I really enjoyed the author’s ability to take me to a dusty farm field, make me believe in a MOONCHILD and a little bit of magic. I liked her writing style so I will definitely be adding her to my authors to watch list. Great Job!
Thank you to Netgalley and Main Street Rag Publishing for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Main Street Rag Publishing Company, Mint Hill Books, for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a southern, domestic tale of three generations of Texas women who live together on a family ranch. We have Granny, Ma (Cora) and Len, the daughter/granddaughter. When Aunt Jean kills Uncle Roger, for reasons she cannot explain, the family unity is stretched thin. Nothing is as it seems with the familial secrets, the perceptions of past events and the consequences of choices made.

This is an enjoyable read about the tight ties of southern women. Recommend!!

This type of book is one of my favourite genres - written about women, from their perspective, across a diverse range of ages. However, I found this book difficult to get into, and while I pushed myself, it just couldn’t hold me. I found the changes in perspectives too frequent and thus a bit jarring. It’s just taken too long to get through the book and even though I’m still only about 3/4 way through, I doubt I’ll finish it in the 02 days left on NetGalley! Perhaps, the timing was not right on this one and I will just need to give it another go later on in life!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This is an interesting book. The story is about two women in the same family. The older woman is the younger woman’s aunt. The stories kind of run side by side. The younger woman is a teenage girl. I think that her story is the most compelling. I did think that the middle of the book was a little boring but it picked right back up again and by the end I had tears in my eyes. I don’t like to go too much into the storyline because this is a book review not a book report. I would read another book from this author and I will recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

What a beautiful debut novel by Dare Delano about a family of strong Southern women.Cora Aunt Jean, Granny, and 12 year old Len.
Len is like her granny with strong insight that can sometimes cause her to black out. All she wants in this world is her father and wonders why he left. Why did he never try to meet her.
Cora is Len's mother, who raised her on her own. She also wonders what possessed Len's father to walk away without a word.
And there is Aunt Jean who has landed herself in jail. Sometimes, you don't even realize when you have reached your limit.

I loved this story. It's a heartwarming saga about family, love, forgiveness, and strength. It's beautifully written with characters that stay with you.

Publicstion November 1st 2023
Thank you to Netgally and mint Hill books for an advanced copy in exchange for a voluntary review.

Abilene is a beautifully written debut by author Dare DeLano. I thoroughly enjoyed the tale of these women, Cora, Len, and Jean, as well as the other characters.

As a single mom, Cora has raised Len, a girl with very special insights, while always wondering why Len's father left and never contacted her again. Len knows that someday she'll meet her father and things will be wonderful.

And then there's Jean, who committed a serious crime, but didn't even realize why until her attorney starts looking into her case.

The book captivated me and the only thing I would have liked is if it hadn't ended so abruptly. I would have liked to see a little more resolution with some of the minor characters. All in all, however, it was excellent.

4 stars

Abilene
by Dare DeLano
I am from Lubbock, and this writer knows the areas between there and Albine for sure, Ok, first, I LOVE this cover, so beautifully done.
Three strong Southern women -- twelve-year-old Len, her mother Cora, and her Aunt Jean -- grapple with love and loss in this poignant tale set on a hardscrabble cattle ranch in a small Texas town. Len yearns to find the father who abandoned her, and after a chance encounter with a country music star who she suspects is him, she embarks on a life-altering journey to find the truth about her past. At the same time, Cora and Jean must deal with another shocking family betrayal that complicates everything. Told in turns by these three remarkable women, Abilene explores the boundaries of love and the transformative power of self-discovery.

I did love this book. I stay up in the early morning to finish. It had moments that felt so real, so full of truths. Brilliantly written.

A heartwarming debut featuring Southern family drama. I always enjoy stories set my home state. I don’t know if the author a native Texan, I found very little bio info. She certainly portrayed the Abilene area well and it’s residents nicely.
Len lives on the same farm where her Ma grew up. Len has a gift, or maybe a curse, feelings for things about to happen, so strong it can cause her to black out. She’s just ten but it’s always been there, just as it is for her Granny. Len has a carefree existence on the farm, helping with chores, going to school, riding horses and wading at the creek with best friend Rachel. Only one thing troubles Len and she simply won’t let it go. Who was her daddy, why didn’t he want her? Neither her Ma or Granny will give her the answers she’s looking for. She’s a stubborn child who doesn’t relent until she finds out the truth. Will it be devastating and leave her broken? Sometimes answers aren’t the ones we wanted.
This is a large strong family of women with aunts, uncles and cousins. When aunt Jean lands in jail after a horrible incident with uncle Roger, the family bonds are stretched thin. Nothing is as it seems. The secrets families keep, our perceptions of past events and the long lasting consequences of our choices. A story as old as time of young love and second chances. It’s part romance, part mystery and some emotionally charged, relevant social themes. It was an enjoyable family drama full of hope. I will watch for more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of “Abilene” by Dare DeLano, Mint Hill Books. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.