The First Review for If These Walls Could Talk

From a reader who read an advance copy, soon to be posted on review web sites:

"If These Walls Could Talk by Bettye Griffin

5 out of 5

Be Careful What You Wish For

I've been a fan of Bettye Griffin's for years, and I have finally found a book that tops my fave of hers (for those who want to know my PAST fave, it's STRAIGHT TO THE HEART): The latest fave is If These Walls Could Talk. This is a story about having dreams and pursuing them, but not seeing the devastating consequences of your pursuit until it's too late. The novel centers around three New York families who all have one dream, an American dream: having a home of their own. Each family has its reason for wanting a home: more space for their children; the appearance of moving upward, of succeeding; safety; affordability. Enter Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, a community where families can come and buy newly developed homes, affordably, and live the American dream. Two of the families are drawn to the shiny brightness, newness to the community and are quickly lured into buying homes in the development; the other family opts to buying an older, less expensive home in the area - all three of the families, as they move into their journey of being home owners, are in for a rude awakening as they realize that sometimes dreams can turn into nightmares. This is a novel that I think will resonate with readers of all kinds. It's a book that teaches patience because none of the characters had it; they wanted their dream, and none of them took heed to the WHAT IFs of home ownership.

I liken this book to that old saying, "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach." These characters' eyes are wide to the positive possibilities of owning a home. Their eyes are bigger than the WHAT IFs, bigger than the consequences, sometimes negative ones, that can occur because of home ownership. None of them thinks their relationships will end, or their homes were built shabbily, or they will have to foreclose, or they will gain weight, or they will lose their jobs, or they will have to live - for a while - without their children with them. Don't understand how some of these things can happen? Then you need to read If These Walls Could Talk because as a future homeowner, it opened my eyes to what can happen if your dreams block your common sense. Griffin did a great job in taking a serious issue and planted it within solid, credible characters that you feel for, that you want to see succeed. I truly enjoyed this story on several levels: it's a great story, it has good characters, it has great subject matter, and just as important as these, it taught me something. When a book can do that, I'm sold. I hope you are, too. "

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Needless to say, I'm pleased with this reader's take on the book. It's a wonderful feeling when readers "get it."

Hope that whets your appetite! If These Walls Could Talk hits stores on or after May 29th.