Inheriting Edith: A Novel by Zoe Fishman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A poignant breakout novel, for fans of J. Courtney Sullivan and Elin Hilderbrand, about a single mother who inherits a beautiful beach house with a caveat—she must take care of the ornery elderly woman who lives in it.

For years, Maggie Sheets has been an invisible hand in the glittering homes of wealthy New York City clients, scrubbing, dusting, mopping, and doing all she can to keep her head above water as a single mother. Everything changes when a former employer dies leaving Maggie a staggering inheritance. A house in Sag Harbor. The catch? It comes with an inhabitant: The deceased’s eighty-two-year old mother Edith.

Edith has Alzheimer’s—or so the doctors tell her—but she remembers exactly how her daughter Liza could light up a room, or bring dark clouds in her wake. And now Liza’s gone, by her own hand, and Edith has been left—like a chaise or strand of pearls—to a poorly dressed young woman with a toddler in tow.

Maggie and Edith are both certain this arrangement will be an utter disaster. But as summer days wane, a tenuous bond forms, and Edith, who feels the urgency of her diagnosis, shares a secret that she’s held close for five decades, launching Maggie on a mission that might just lead them each to what they are looking for.

my thoughts:

A heartwarming story about family and friendship.  This book tackles topics such as loss, grief, love, secrets, and forgiveness.  It explores the ways in which people move forward with their lives after a loved one commits suicide and getting diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  Talk about some heavy issues. 
And yet, the book is light and engaging.  Instead of getting bogged down with the grim and sad facts about these heavy issues, the book's story centers on Maggie and Edith's relationship.  We get to read about these two women struggling to figure out how to coexist in their (new) home together.  You see, Liza (Edith's daughter and Maggie's friend/former employer) has passed away and left some instructions behind in her will.  Maggie is to inherit her Sag Harbor home as long as Edith can remain living there.  Talk about a package deal!  It doesn't take long for Maggie to pack up her apartment and head off to Sag Harbor with her baby girl in tow.  She's tired of cleaning houses and wants to spend more time with her kid - this house will allow her to do this.  Edith is not a happy camper. She's angry with Liza for leaving Maggie the house.  She doesn't want this woman and her kid living in what she considers to be HER home.  She plans on ignoring them and trying to figure out a way to oust them.  Of course, Edith is getting older and dealing with Alzheimer's, so it isn't too long before she falls and winds up needing Maggie's help.  The two slowly learn to rely on each other and form a friendship through their new circumstances and their love for Liza. 

What an emotional, fun, and entertaining story! I just love the candid and refreshing manner in which Fishman writes about such heavy topics.  She makes connecting with the characters and their story easy and comfortable.  You can't help but want to find out what will happen to these women once they are thrown together - how will their lives change and how will they survive/thrive in their new home?  I just loved getting to know Edith and Maggie!

I would happily recommend Inheriting Edith to fans of Zoe Fishman, fans of women's fiction, and anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Inheriting Edith

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!