Valencia and Valentine by Suzy Krause

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

about book:

For readers of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, debut author Suzy Krause delivers a quirky, colorful story about love, loss, second chances, and what it means to truly live.

Valencia, a timid debt collector with crippling OCD, is afraid of many things, but the two that scare her most are flying and turning thirty-five. To confront those fears, Valencia’s therapist suggests that she fly somewhere—anywhere—before her upcoming birthday. And as Valencia begins a telephone romance with a man from New York, she suddenly has a destination in mind. There’s only one problem—he might not actually exist.

Mrs. Valentine is an eccentric old woman desperate for company, be it from neighbors, telemarketers, or even the funeral director (when you’re her age, you go to a lot of funerals). So she’s thrilled when the new cleaning girl provides a listening ear for her life’s story—a tale of storybook love and incredible adventures around the world with her husband before his mysterious and sudden disappearance.

The stories of Valencia and Mrs. Valentine may at first appear to have nothing in common…but then again, nothing in life is as straightforward as it seems.

my thoughts:

What a delightful and quirky book! I absolutely LOVED Suzy Krause's novel, Valencia and Valentine. It was such a treat to read! And that book cover - oh, my! I loved the bright, vivid blue and characters in their windows. Such a cute cover!

As for the story...LOVED it!!  Valencia and Mrs. Valentine's stories unfold at an odd pace, but they are both so interesting that you can't help but get easily caught up in it all. I found myself relating to Valencia, because I too am afraid to fly and have been prone to panic attacks. So, I could definitely relate to her cluttered mind that was chock full of irrational thoughts. As for Mrs. Valentine, I loved her colorful stories that she shared - they were so much fun to read. These two characters made quite the impression and I was curious to figure out what their connection would be. Thankfully, Krause was able to bridge the two stories seamlessly, cleverly, and with such witty writing. I truly enjoyed every minute I spent with this story. Such a gem!

I would happily recommend Valencia and Valentine to fans of anyone looking for their next great read.

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Valencia and Valentine

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