I saw this book cover on a blog I follow called Carla Loves to Read.
It immediately gave me a Palm Springs vibe. The pink wall, the palm trees, the pool. Plus Snowbirds. That’s what we called the influx of visitors or seasonal residents from the cold snowy north and east.
I read the review and yes, the story takes place in Palm Springs — where I lived for more than 30 years and raised my children.
I wanted to buy it in paperback, but no, it’s not out in paperback yet. I didn’t want to spend the money — or have the heavy lifting involved with reading a hardcover. I went to Audible and downloaded it. I’ve listened to it during the past couple days and finished it over the weekend.
What I liked best was not the story, but all the details about Palm Springs. The author captured many of my favorite haunts like the Indian Canyons, Smoke Tree Ranch, Melvyn’s and even Revivals thrift store. Although somewhat stereotyped, the author captured the gay community, elderly population and homeless. I also enjoyed how the spirit of Palm Springs was portrayed. Endless sunny days and everyone living as though they are on vacation.
Here’s the notes from Amazon:
INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER! | “A riveting exploration of midlife yearning.” ―People
The Last Thing He Told Me meets Fleishman Is in Trouble in this page-turning story of a couple who flee winter in the Midwest for Palm Springs, where they find their relationship at a crossroads.
Kim and Grant are at a turning point. A couple for thirty years, their “separate but together” partnership is running up against the realities of late middle age: Grant’s mother has died, the college where he taught philosophy was shuttered, and their twin girls are grown and gone. Escaping the bitter cold of a Midwestern winter for the hot desert sun of Palm Springs seems as good a solution as any to the more intractable problems they face.
When they arrive at Le Desert, a quirky condo community where everyone knows everyone’s business, Kim immediately embraces the opportunity to make new friends and explore a more adventurous side of her personality. Meanwhile, Grant struggles to find his footing in this unfamiliar landscape, leaving Kim to wonder if their relationship can survive the snowbird season. But when Grant goes missing on a hike in the Palm Springs mountains, Kim is forced to consider two terrifying outcomes: either Grant is truly lost, or this time, he’s really left her.
Is it ever too late to become the person we wanted to be―and is there still time to change into someone better? The exhilarating, but often confusing transitions of midlife are pitched against the promise and glamour of Palm Springs in this tender, honest story of what it takes to commit to someone for a lifetime. With compassion and humor, Clancy explores the redemptive power of finding ourselves, and of being found.
The only thing I didn’t like about the Audible version was the pronunciation of Mt. San Jacinto. San Jacinto is the dramatic backdrop to Palm Springs. The “J” is pronounced as “H.” The readers on Audible used a hard “J.” I think they need to do a little homework before releasing a reading of a book.
Do you like audio books, kindles, paperbacks or hardcovers best and why?
I saw these snow birds.Anita
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E books. I can keep them and it doesn’t take up space. And the lighting!!
I had an ebook as a gift, but I lost it somewhere. I never replaced it and prefer paperbacks.
I don’t have patience for audio books, but i get most books on kindle.
It’s funny how people have their own preferences. I think we get used to certain things.
Yes that is true and also the fact that more books are available in digital form that in paper backs
I will always prefer an actual book over anything else. I agree that hardcovers often seem clunkier and of course cost more too so if I plan to buy I wait for paperback and then in used form from a seller. Almost all my reading comes from library books and it’s much easier to do that in ebook form but it will never be the same as holding a real book 🙂 Audio is a no for me, too distracted by other things when just listening. Speaking of Palm Springs- have you watched the series Palm Royale? It’s an Appletv+ show set in 1969 Palm Springs so of course before your time there but I loved it. Pretty famous cast also plus I think it’s coming back for 2nd season.
I have never heard of Palm Royale. I will have to check it out. My mind does wander listening to audio books, or I doze off and then I don’t know what’s happening. I prefer paperbacks, too and we have a used section to donate and buy them at our library.
Ah, they needed a local to do the audio book! Isn’t it fun when we can imagine the locality of books? So good! Happy Monday, Elizabeth!
They did need a local for the audio book. The author definitely captured Palm Springs, though. I probably would have a better experience with the book waiting for the paperback. Happy Monday to you!
Wowza…I’m with you! I only vacationed in Palm Springs a couple of times but that cover…iconic and it gives the vibe, doesn’t it? Thanks for the tip of about a good read. And I’m with you…that mispronunciation would drive me batty, too. 🌞💕🌞
Thanks Vicky! The cover just oozes Palm Springs. The mispronunciation literally woke me up when I had dozed off to sleep. Maybe that was a good thing! 😂
LOL! 🥰❤️🥰
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I like regular books best and will read ebooks. Used to do a lot of books on tape in my 30s, but now find it too difficult to pay attention to them. At least with a hard copy or ebook I don’t lose my place when I get distracted!
It’s always fun to read a book about a place and time you can completely relate to. As for your question, I’m a tactile reader all the way.. I like to flip physical pages.
It is fun to read a book in a setting you know well. Yes, I like to turn the pages and turn down the corner of the page to keep my place.
Turn down a page?
Eeek!
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Ha!
I prefer reading a real book than an e-book. I thought I was the only one. I figure I spend enough time looking at screens as it is, don’t want to do more of it when I read for pleasure.
Years ago I was on vacation in Palm Springs and went on a hike up San Jacinto. I learned how to pronounce it correctly.
I think a lot of us like to read books. I agree that I’m on a screen most of the day and it’s a break to hold a book. Yay for hiking on San Jacinto and visiting Palm Springs.
I love my iPhone. I love blogging.
But reading? It has to be a real old fashioned book.
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Exactly right!