This was such a beautiful story. I loved it. Ammalie is such a well developed character. She is humorous, human, brave, hurting and so much more. As a woman of similar age (ok, a few years older) she just resonated with me and my current view on the state of the world. From climate change to social injustice, to the marginalization of women. Her ability to put herself out there and pursue her adventure was awe inspiring. Having nearly lost my husband to illness last year, I found myself wondering if I could have been so bold and daring as she was. All of the character development was great. So many characters to love. Lulu, Kat, Kit, Rita…Ammalie gave back to the world and humanity in so many unique ways while taking relatively little in the grand scheme of things.

Laura Pritchett’s “Three Keys” invites readers on a captivating journey alongside Ammalie Brinks, a woman navigating the complexities of middle age while grappling with loss and newfound freedom. This delightful exploration of rediscovery and self-realization is a testament to Pritchett’s storytelling prowess.

Ammalie Brinks finds herself at a crossroads after losing the pillars of her life—her husband, her job, and her role as a mother. As she embarks on a spontaneous road trip through Nebraska, adorned with a broken plastic fork in her hair, she stumbles upon three literal keys from her past. These keys unlock doors to homes from her and her husband’s history, sparking a journey of self-discovery and adventure.

Pritchett skillfully weaves together themes of love, heartbreak, and the quest for personal fulfillment as Ammalie grapples with the fear of irrelevance and obscurity. Through Ammalie’s exploits, including forays into minor criminal behavior, Pritchett highlights the liberating power of embracing one’s true self, even in the face of societal expectations.

“Three Keys” is a poignant reminder that life’s second acts are ripe with opportunities for growth and reinvention. Pritchett’s prose is imbued with a zest for life, capturing the essence of Ammalie’s journey with humor, heart, and authenticity.

Winner of the PEN USA Award for Fiction and the Colorado Book Award, Laura Pritchett delivers a masterful narrative that resonates with readers of all ages. “Three Keys” is a compelling tale that celebrates the beauty of embracing life’s unexpected twists and turns, making it a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and adventure.

In conclusion, “Three Keys” is a captivating and uplifting read that reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-discovery. Laura Pritchett’s storytelling shines brightly in this charming tale of second chances and newfound purpose.

I tried to enjoy this story but it felt messy and strange. I couldn’t connect to Ammalie at all. Much like another reviewer, I was bothered by the negative self talk of being crazy at middle age. Can’t we get past that? The whole abandon my life and travel the world like some Eat Pray Love idea is so unrealistic.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought I'd really enjoy Laura Pritchett's novel Three Keys. I'm also in my mid-life with my last child heading to college in 4 months.
However, the book didn't resonate with me. I was turned off by Ammalie's choices and by calling herself crazy. As women in mid-life we don't need further stereotypes that we are "crazy" or "unstable." Plus I just couldn't get past that she was breaking into homes. I just couldn't connect.

Three Keys
A Novel
by Laura Pritchett
Thank you, Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance copy. I did enjoy the three keys.
It touched on many things. Ammalie Brinks has just lost the three keys of her life’s purpose—her husband, her job, and her role as a mom, after her son went off to college. She’s also mystified to find herself in middle age: How exactly had that happened? The terrifying idea of becoming irrelevant, invisible, of letting her life slip away Into obscurity, has her driving distracted through Nebraska with a broken plastic fork in her tangled hair.
Shad me laughing, feeling her loss and how to move on alone. She really could be thankful for everything. I would like to meet her, ok, not in the Deloses Clayborn way. She was a feisty one. I cheered her on.

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley for this luminous novel to read and review. It just missed 5 Stars, which for me is pure pefection.

Ammelie, mid-50's and menopausal, her husband Vincent died 18 months ago. She has three actual keys she has decided to use to open up places where Vincent had stayed in the past to see the places he travelled without her and find the answer to their alienation before his death.

She packs up her old junker car with sleeping bag, first aid supplies and a head lantern and heads off to break in to three places her husband had stayed, one in Colorado, on in Arizona and the last in New Zealand. It proves to be a most adventurous trip, during which Ammelie becomes aware of ecological problems, helps various people she meets, and in solving her survival problems, becomes more fit, more aware of birds and the beauty of nature, and her own need to make the rest of her life count. (And she rescues an adorable dog,)

Pritchett's characters are so interesting, but you will be blown away by the things she experiences and learns and is changed by. There is glorious scenery, survival and a moving metamorphosis. I could not stop reading.until the last page, thoughtful about my own life. And isn't that the best kind of book?

I was asked to review “Three Keys” by Laura Pritchett. I have been reading a lot of novels of women searching for their purpose in their midlife and this novel is a great example of how this topic can be developed in a thoughtful and memorable way.

Ammalie has lost her husband, her job, and her son has headed off to college. Hence, she sets off on a journey of self-exploration both literally and figuratively. As someone who is just a few years behind Ammalie really relate to second-guessing life choices while trying to figure out who you are. I found Ammalie to be a flawed character who you cannot help but root for.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Laura Pritchett for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This literary, contemporary women’s fiction is a journey, personal and physical, and full of travel.
Ammalie is a wife, mother, and waitress who loves her job. But when she loses her three keys- her husband passes, her son moves out and on, and where she works burns down- she feels lost. She is also surprised to find herself in middle age, which makes her feel invisible to those around her. Although not all of her endeavors are, shall we say, legal, so perhaps being invisible is not the worst.
When she finds 3 literal keys to past travel destinations, she decides to travel the west to revisit shared memories and visit places her late husband talked about but she has not yet experienced. Not all of these places are scheduled, approved stays, but an empty house and an entry key is pretty close. One bit from this book that I love is when Ammalie exclaims that tourists should read a book that takes place where they are visiting, as I completely agree. The people she meets along her travels add to Ammalies life, sometimes in unexpected ways. There's also a tidbit about doing a happy dance upon seeing a beautiful bird, and same! Been there.
Full of incredible destinations, unique people, and exciting adventure, three keys offers unique armchair travel for readers.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This genre isn't typically one I choose but something about the description intrigued me, maybe because like the main character Ammalie I too am middle aged, about to launch my kids in a few years, and not sure where I quite fit in anymore. Plus, she is breaking and entering? Cool!

The book was a lot more quirky than I expected. Some portions are basically stream of conscious reflections, and there were a lot more "heal the Earth" sermons than I expected (they weren't bad - it just wasn't what I was expecting).

The last half of the book was a quick read and I was eager to see how Ammalie fared in her adventures. Was glad it had a HEA ending.

This was a lot of fun! Full of surprises, adventure, and self-discovery. The writing is lovely.

Ammalie feels like she is losing it. Her husband died a year and a half ago, her sister is sick, her son isn’t speaking to her. To get things back on track, Ammalie decides to go on an extended trip and may or may not be engaging in some (well-intentioned!?) breaking and entering. Follow along as Ammalie sees new places, meets new people, and finds out more about herself and what she is capable of.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read Three Keys by Laura Pritchett. I loved sharing this adventure with this quirky character!

A beautiful romance! I loved the characters. I laughed out loud, and rooted for the romance. A must for all rom com lovers!

I wish I coul say I liked this book but it just seemed to me to be farfetched and kind of a whine fest . It rambled without really getting to a point . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to preview Three Keys by Laura Pritchett. I really enjoyed this book for the life lessons it taught. Ammalie is a very likable main character and you find yourself cheering her on in her plight not only to find herself, but to explain some of her past. A few of her many challenges are to forge a better relationship with her sick sister, solidify her friendship with her very best friend and reestablish her relationship with her son. Ammalie sets off on an adventure of a lifetime. At times I found this book was a little sluggish, but not enough to stop reading. The last third of the book it really all comes together leading up to a wonderful ending! Definitely read Three Keys!

This. Was. Amazing!!! What an incredible adventure Ammalie embarks on after losing her job. The writing is so good here - you feel yourself sleeping in her car, eating meals on the run, trying to help others when they need it and learning to trust strangers. Such a brave woman! Makes me want to jump out of my comfort zone and do something crazy!

So an interesting fictional story about a new widow, who also has lost her job & her son is at college also dealing with his father's abrupt & unexpected death. Ammalie goes off to find herself and deal with all of these happenings. What Ammalie does not share with her family or friends, is that she will be breaking into various places her husband had stayed at & living in each. It is a strange story, with some heartwarming occurrence's, some not. It ties up with a "happy ever after" ending. Thanks to NetGalley, Random House & Ms Pritchett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three Keys is a sometimes sad, sometimes joyful and always heartwarming story about a middle aged woman looking to discover her best life. Ammalie has experienced loss and feels unnoticed. She goes on a long journey, staying in obscure places by breaking in, surviving hardships, and trying to pay it forward with those who may need her help. All the while, Ammalie is trying to feel that she can progress and feel better about herself as a woman and as a human being. With thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC. My opinions are my own. @LauraPritchettauthor

I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley. I didn't like the beginning of the book because she basically feels like she's having a breakdown, but once you find out her husband died, she lost her job, and her only son is distancing himself, then it's more understandable. She seems to be a woman on the brink who can go in several different directions. This book stands out quite a bit from anything else I've ever read. It has some good messages and thoughts on grief and anger mixed together. How to feel useful and relevant as a middle-aged woman.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ammalie's life has changed and she feels lost. She decides to go on a journey. This book was very insightful

Not often does a book come along that you can resonate with in such a way that you feel so connected to a character or a story and this book does just that. Ammalie is the perfect character in that she isn't perfect at all. She has secrets, flaws, questionable ideas and a heart of gold. She is quirky and caring and a bit off her rocker at times but that is what makes her so relatable to me. We are all out here trying to make good choices and do the right thing and sometimes we just need to get out of our own way and go do it. I loved going on Ammalie's adventure of self discovery and enjoyed meeting all the people along the way.

I thought this book was heartfelt and adventurous with a whole lot of soul searching. Reading this was a truly enjoyable experience and I am excited to read more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and Laura Pritchett for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.