"Kathy" by T.L. Haddix is set in the early 1960's, a time when my age was still in single figures; a time when the neighbours were still addressed as Mrs Saunders and Mrs Rusling rather than Marge and Mona; a time when we ran unfettered between each others houses, our only instruction to be home before dark.

But there were dark times then too. Spousal/family violence was whispered about, but was almost accepted.

Kathy is a story about the aftermath of such violence; about a woman's struggle to come to terms with her past, to learn to live with her grief and guilt. Kathy is not blameless....

I am not a fan of 'romance' books, but this one seemed to promise so much more. Instead it came across more as a 'self-help' manual in many places. I found myself skimming over great tracts of text and by 3/4 through just wanted it to end. The writing style is quite 'stiff' or formal, and I feel so much more could have been gained in this book had the writing style been a little more relaxed. Another thing that irked me was the frequent use of the term "Ms." I don't believe that was used as a form of address until women's liberation hit the world many years later.

Having said all that, there are some touching moments, and although it is all a little too glib for my taste, I know it is a book that will appeal to a great number of people.

2.5 stars from me for Kathy by T L Haddix.

Thank you to NetGalley and Streetlight Graphics for providing an ARC of Kathy for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.