In this case, I'm afraid the writing really got in the way of my ability to enjoy this novel. I tried to read it no less than 5 different times. And I liked the premise but the execution really got in the way. the main character spent a lot of time complaining and the writing was really repetitive.

Many others seem to have enjoyed this so please give it a try, you might love it.

with gratitude to Random House and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'll be the outlier on this novel I really should have enjoyed but ultimately became a page flipper to see what happened. Ammalie, a widow, is on a solo road trip to three places in the West she either visited with her husband or her husband stayed in the hopes that she will feel something. She's living in her car (and does a lot of peeing outside) except when she essentially breaks into these residences. She picks up an abused dog along the way. Her back story comes out in snippets as she talks on the phone with her sister and a friend-her work as a waitress, her problems with her son, her attraction to a client at a restaurant where she works. Unfortunately, she's also a bundle of contradictions and inconsistencies (as are we all) that I just didn't like. I can't quite put my finger on why but this began to annoy me at about the 40 percent mark. And when I did reach the ending, it just didn't fit. I can understand, however, why others might enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Three Keys by Laura Pritchett is a wonderful story about self-discovery.
I was immediately drawn to the beautiful writing and interesting characters.
A well written story with a great adventure ahead.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine and Dell for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This started out slow and I was almost about to cast it aside. I couldn’t connect with the character and it was jumbled and confusing. BUT, I am so glad I persisted. Ammalie has gone through a triple tragedy, loss of husband, loss of job and loss of being a parent. So she did what I imagine many people in the same position would do. Take off on an adventure of discovery. I loved the concept of the three keys and three destinations. In each adventure she found herself tested, found friends, found hidden talents and found herself. I loved it. Every woman going through menopause, finding themselves ungrounded from being a wife/partner and mother, struggling to understand their purpose but bubbling over with inner freedom and joy to come should read this book and take notes!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC.

Ammilie is a middle-aged empty nester who suddenly finds herself widowed and unemployed. With no obligations tying her down, she embarks on a journey of adventure to evaluate her life thus far and perhaps find purpose for her future. This book tied in perfectly with my library's adventure-themed summer reading program. Though I didn't approve of the way Ammalie flaunted the law throughout her journey, I did enjoy learning more about the beautiful nature of Colorado, Arizona and New Zealand Thanks to NetGalley, Random House and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

This book is one about a 50 year old woman whose husband has just died. Her son is off trying to find himself and the restaurant where she works burns down. She is suddenly unemployed. Her solution and alone and decides to find herself as she deals with all these life changing moments. She takes off on an adventure. Her husband had 3 keys to places he used to live and she decides to go stay in each of them. She becomes a squatter and moves in with no one knowing she is there. Her journey is an interesting one but really not believable at all. What is the chance that all 3 would be vacant when she decides to move there? Her last location is in New Zealand. I found the story fun to read and wonder if I had the guts to take off like that and decide the answer is no. If you like adventure this one might is just the summer read you are looking for.
I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine/Dell for allowing me to read a copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really thought this book would be something I would love (travel, finding yourself, you know the whole shebang). But this really fell flat for me.

I could not connect to Ammalie (FMC), and the whole story seemed a bit out there. So many tangents, secrets (like who doesn't tell their best friend, oh hey I didn't actually rent this place, I am going to use keys I have and hope they work from way back when?). There was a lot of negative self talking, which is odd for her being in her 50s.

This story was just not it for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell Publishing for my E-ARC.

One of my favorite books of the year so far! Ammalie is a woman in her 50s who has lost three “keys” in her life. Her husband died suddenly a year prior, her son has gone off to college and she has lost her job of 20 years when the restaurant where she has worked as a waitress closes because of a fire. Ammalie has three literal keys in her possession that represent a place that she traveled to with her husband and two places that he went to alone but had significant meaning for him. Even though Ammalie was considering divorce when her husband died, she decides to travel alone and use the keys to “break in” to the various accommodations not only to experience the places important to her husband but more as an attempt to find herself and find some balance in her “pear-shaped” life. Her adventures are extraordinary and the people that she meets along the way have huge impacts on her. But she also clings to the three “keys” in her life who provide stability - her friend, Mari, her sister, Apricot and her son, Powell.
This book is like nothing I have ever read and I loved it! The author is so creative in telling this unusual story. I found that I wanted to read it slowly to catch every significance in Ammalie’s private musings as well as her interactions with the unusual and fascinating cast of characters. There were so many significant themes incorporated into the story such as aging, the invisibility of middle-aged women, different types of friendships and romantic relationships, the effects of climate change and the plight of undocumented immigrants among others. So much packed into one book that isn’t very long but done so well! On a personal note, I loved that Ammalie’s former employer was a restaurant called Avogadro’s Number - I am familiar with a restaurant by this name in Fort Collins, Colorado but maybe there is one of the same name in Chicago? I really like these little pearls. I highly recommend this book!

Three Keys
Laura Pritchett
July 16, 2024

Ammalie Brinks started on the road in her old gray car trying to find links to the keys her husband left behind. Vincent had his own adventures yet she was left behind most times to care for their son, Powell. Ammalie felt it necessary to take the road through Nebraska onward to New Mexico from Chicago. She wanted to know what he felt, see the things he saw; the birds, the starry, clear night sky…
Three Keys is brought to the reader in three sections, each with a different key. Her stories are brilliantly written with clarity and focus on each of the journeys she needed to follow.
Three Keys will be published by Random House, LLC on July 16, 2024. It was easy to find myself caught up on her road to clarity. Ammalie chose each path clearly. The Grey Goose took her down each road and led her to the first cabin in Colorado. This is a delightful story and a heartwarming look at a woman who needs to resolve her past, to put an end to the trail that her husband traveled so she could say goodbye. Find a copy of the Three Keys and enjoy!

After losing the three keys to her life, her husband, job, and her now adult son to college, Ammalie sets off an adventure. Determined to visit three very different places, for various personal reasons, Ammalie packs up her beloved Grey Goose and sets forth on a road trip. I loved the premise of this book, and while I will be honest by saying at times I felt the plotline moved a little slower than I typically enjoy, I really enjoyed this book and feel it is worth sticking with. Ammalie is an unusual character, and her quirks make for a really enjoyable read. I really enjoyed the characters she meets along the way, and I loved the sense of common ground many find with her. Three Keys is a great book for anyone looking to jump in on a midlife, unexpected adventure, with plenty of self discovery, one that will stay with you long after you finish reading. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

BOOK REVIEW ALERT – Review, Recommendation, Rating & Opinion are my own.

This read is a contemporary fiction novel that revolves around the lives of three women, each holding a key that unlocks a part of their intertwined destinies. The story weaves through their individual struggles, triumphs, and the unanticipated ways their paths cross, ultimately leading to profound personal revelations and transformations.

The narrative is divided into three parts, each focusing on one of the main characters: Mia, an ambitious architect; Lila, a struggling artist; and Ava, a corporate executive facing a moral dilemma. Each section delves into the character’s background, personal challenges, and the pivotal moments that define their journeys. Pritchett’s storytelling is fluid, with seamless transitions between the characters’ perspectives, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative.

The pacing of this book is well-balanced, with a steady progression of events that keeps readers engaged without feeling rushed. Pritchett masterfully builds tension and anticipation, particularly in the moments leading up to the characters’ key revelations and decisions. The pacing allows for a deep exploration of the characters’ inner lives while maintaining a forward momentum in the plot.

Rating – 4.0/5 Stars
Recommendation – High

The Author’s writing is both lyrical and accessible, with vivid descriptions and evocative language that bring the characters and settings to life. Her ability to convey complex emotions and intricate relationships is impressive, making the novel a deeply immersive reading experience. The dialogue is natural and engaging, further enhancing the characters’ authenticity and relatability.

This is a beautifully crafted novel that offers a poignant and insightful exploration of the human experience. With richly drawn characters, a compelling plot, and profound themes, it is a book that resonates on multiple levels. Pritchett’s storytelling prowess and keen understanding of human nature make this novel a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction.

Her husband dies, her college-age son is confused, she quits her job- so 50-ish Ammalie goes on her own “Feminine Heroic Journey”. This is her quirky and somewhat confusing plan: she drives to three different places, because she has a key to each place, and sees what happens. Along the way, she makes some friends, enjoys the scenery and nature, and does some possibly illegal things, always trying to make things a bit better. She ends up in New Zealand and begins to create three new “key” to living a more fulfilled life.

I can’t say that I liked this book, but I did stick with it and I finished it. I try to always read Christian Fiction, so this book made me sad, because of all the people like Ammalie who are looking for meaning and purpose and don’t realize that Jesus is the Way.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance review copy. This is my honest review. Gorgeous cover!

3.25 stars

This is a tough book for me to review. Clearly this book resonated with a lot of women. It's not my favorite genre, but certainly there's a narrative with a lot of interesting twists and turns.

The main character Ammalie is still getting over the loss of her husband and her job. She had an emotional rupture with her grown son, and is feeling unmoored and in need of some new priorities and adventure. She has always felt her identity was tied up with her family and wants to establish herself as her own individual.

They keys are both real and symbolic -- she has three rusty old keys that will provide her with some free lodging during her quest. And ultimately, she is successful in her desire to figure out who she wants to be and find the joy in her life.

Books of this kind tend to be pretty self-absorbed by definition, and there is a lot of stream of consciousness interior monologue with Ammalie as she meets new people and pushes herself into new situations. She is a real person who is not always logical and veers between being secretive and oversharing. That she is courageous, both physically and spiritually, is never in doubt. I found the story to be uneven and the ending a little too neatly wrapped up. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Three Keys by Laura Pritchett. Ammalie is a recent widow who goes on a journey to find herself, and to find out more about the husband that she had thought about divorcing before he died. She travels to three spots, two in the US and one abroad, that had some meaning in his life. The three keys are actual keys that unlock something-in some cases a home where she squats (this part of the story was kind of out there for me). Overall I liked it, she learned a lot about herself along the way, and grew much stronger. But some of the story seemed pretty unrealistic. #threekeys #laurapritchett #netgalley #bookstagram #lovetoread #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #booknerd #readallthebooks

First and foremost, this is a hero’s journey, like that of the Greek King Odysseus or the space brat Luke Skywalker. But what makes this one stand out is that the hero is a heroine, a woman in her 50s.

Ammalie is recently, unexpectedly widowed from a man she planned to divorce. Her son, in his own grief, distances himself. And the restaurant where she worked has burned down. So Ammalie packs provisions into her car and drives west from Chicago with three literal keys and a roughly sketched plan, which includes breaking and entering.

What begins as a trip to find and define who she is if she’s no longer a wife, mother, waitress, becomes a trip about realizing that everything will be ok. There will be discomfort and sadness and pain, but it is a fair trade for letting go, helping others, and seeing your own value.

Her first key is a cabin in isolation in the forested mountains of Colorado where she rescues dog, meets a recovering addict, and realizes she can do hard things.

The next leads her to an old Dart trailer in the desert of Arizona where she meets Kit, a fellow criminal, injures herself, and realizes she can’t take her position and privilege for granted.

The last key belongs to an artist-in-residence house by the sea in New Zealand where her husband, then her young lover, spent a wicked and wonderful summer, where her crime spree ends and her next act begins.

When she’s most seeable, she no longer wants to be, needs to be seen.

What a powerful moment.

Here’s to all my 55 year old friends: I see you, I value you, I appreciate you. We’ve done the hard work and deserve to be loved in spite of, because of, and within it.

Always refreshing to find a character later in life dealing with messes made in years lived. What a fantastic book.

The synopsis of this book was absolutely fantastic unfortunately the book itself fell flat and left a lot to be desired.

This seemed like it would be such a good book but the writing style isn't for me. I don't know how to explain it, but there is a lot of "thinking" conversations rather than light, easy reading conversations. And, no I didn't expect a funny, joyful book with the subject matter--but it was not what I thought it would be. With that said, there were whole chapters that I enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This review is entirely my own opinion.

A middle aged woman lost her husband to a stroke, lost her job and then her son went off to college. She decides to just get in her car with a backpack and sleeping bag, and discover the three places that her husband told her about on his travels.

Thanks for the review copy. This is a wonderful adventure book. It reminded me of a fiction version of Eat, Pray, Love. I know people will enjoy it.

Ammalie Brinks is out to sea; not literally of course, but figuratively as a new widow in her mid-fifties trying to navigate the now unfamiliar waters of life. Her "three keys" are gone--her husband Vincent, a job she loved, and the centrality of motherhood since her son moved out of the house. And while she may have lost those keys, she does still have three physical keys, in fact. Three keys to three homes across the globe that she and Vincent shared in one way or another, years and year ago.

So with far too little tethering her to now, Ammalie sets off with her three keys, her trusty Subaru affectionately nicknamed Grey Goose, and a half-formed, somewhat-there mission of reliving the past in the hopes of finding hope for the future.

And just like that, "Three Keys," readers, is the unsuspecting triumph of the year thus far. This is the story of a women navigating the startling void that middle age has left her with: widowhood, an empty nest, and that degree of invisibility that magically descends on women the moment their youth departs them. So much more than that still, this is the story--the charming, magical, laugh out loud over and over type story--of a woman discovering what she wants to do with her one and precious life, even after she thought life was over.

An unassuming, immensely powerful gift of a read, "Three Keys" is further testament to the fact that some of the very best stories really are about finding ourselves, especially in the most unlikely of places.