Book Review: Making It Work by Kathleen Glassburn

If you are a fan of Barbara Delansky, Nora Roberts, or Francine Rivers you should definitely check out Making It Work by Kathleen Glassburn. Making It Work is billed as historical fiction but it doesn’t quite feel that way for me. It takes place in the late 1960’s which wasn’t that long ago but reading the book serves as a clear reminder of just how much as changed since then.  

The main character, Sheila, tries to figure out adult life on her own after having very little in the way of good role models. It is often hard to know how to have a good relationship when all you have been shown is what NOT to do. Sheila marries her high school sweetheart, who quickly enlists in the Navy to avoid being drafted and sent to Vietnam. Not only does Sheila have to figure out what it takes be an adult and a wife, she has to figure out what it means to be a military wife and adjust to being married but living alone while her husband is out on maneuvers.

Making It Work takes you through the life decisions of a woman who is principled and stays true to her own hopes and dreams, sometimes to the detriment of finances and relationships. The story flashes back into Sheila’s past to give the reader glimpses into the experiences that shape Sheila’s perspective and decisions. I can see a lot of my 19 year-old self in Sheila.  It speaks to Glassburn’s skill at character development because Sheila isn’t the obvious choice for a protagonist but that makes her more realistic.

I will look for future works by Kathleen Glassburn. Have you read this book? What were your thoughts? I know I have someone waiting to ready my copy already.

On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest, 5 being the highest it rated the following:

• Laughs: 1
• Tears: 2
• Cheese: 3
• Predictability: 3
• Overall: 3/5

Currently reading: The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbrath

Currently Listening to the podcast: Up and Vanished

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