Eileen Goudge’s Once in a Blue Moon tells the dramatic and compelling story of two sisters torn apart during childhood that reconnect later in life. After suffering years of neglect by their mother, Lindsay and Kerri Ann McAllister are split apart by child protective services, and Lindsay spends her life searching for her missing sister. Kerrie Ann, only 3 at the time of their separation, grows up unaware that she even has a sibling.
Lindsay is adopted by loving parents and flourishes as an adult, running her own successful bookstore, the Blue Moon Bay Book Café. Kerrie Ann is not so lucky, shuffled from foster home to foster home as a child and later struggling with substance abuse. The tragic cycle repeats itself as Kerrie Ann’s own daughter is eventually taken away by child protective services. After seeking help for her addiction, Kerrie Ann hires a lawyer to assist her in winning back custody, and it is then that she learns of her long-lost sister. Two worlds collide as the conservative Lindsay opens her home to Kerrie Ann, who is struggling to get her life back on course.
Once in a Blue Moon does a very good job of painting complex problems in a compassionate light. There is no black or white – you feel great empathy for Kerrie Ann, and root for her to regain custody of her daughter Bella, while realizing the great suffering that her disease caused the child. You also feel sad for the Bella’s foster parents, who are trying to do the right thing and protect a child that they also love greatly. It is a terrible situation, and I found it hard to read because it so accurately describes real-life pain. (I admittedly prefer escapist entertainment!)
The book is rife with conflict, and it explores a myriad of emotions through various sub-plots. Goudge’s descriptive writing style paints a picture of the characters and their environment that is very evocative, though at times I felt like it was slightly overwrought. Parts of the book made me uncomfortable, but while I didn’t necessarily agree with all of the sentiments expressed, I thought that overall Goudge portrayed three-dimensional characters that had true depth.
For more information about the author and links to order Once in a Blue Moon, click here to check out Eileen Goudge’s official website. Thanks to The One2One Network for inviting me to review this novel!
Sounds like an emotional read. I studied social work in college and worked a little with CPS, so this type of story really interests me. I’ll have to check this one out, thanks!
This books sounds like it would be a good, but sad book!