| Title | : | Finding May |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | Published May 1, 2019 |
Thirty years ago, Dr. Oliver Bisset’s marriage collapsed, his kids faced a future with dysfunctional parents, and he’d given up on love and happy endings. Then May MacAdams showed up in Mystic Water, bringing hope and beauty like a cotton candy–colored sunrise. May vowed to be Oliver’s friend only, but with a town full of lightning bugs, laughter, and magical, southern summer nights, May and Oliver tumbled headfirst into a love affair.
Now sixty years old and recently widowed, May MacAdams Wilson has spent the last three decades keeping a promise never to return to Mystic Water. But when May learns that Oliver is dying, she must decide whether to break that promise or risk never getting to say good-bye to her first love.
Finding May takes you on a journey of first loves, intense summer sun, moonlight kisses, and learning how to let go.
Finding May Reviews
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*I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Finding May was a lovely story about forbidden romance. As someone who doesn’t read a ton of romantic books, I really enjoyed this one. May was a likable character whose personality was a good mix of kindness and strength. Despite how much she criticizes herself for wanting to have a relationship with a married man (who is in the midst of a divorce, so it’s not thaaaat bad, in my opinion haha), May still comes across as a good person. She’s not selfish or a jerk, but at the same time she doesn’t let people walk all over her. I can think of two examples: when Oliver is being a drunken jerk to her and when someone calls her out for hanging around with Oliver too much. She knows when to stand up for herself and when to admit when she’s done something wrong.
When it comes to Oliver, I was super glad that he didn’t fit into all the negative stereotypes that plague “romance” novels these days. He’s a nice guy (aside from that time he got drunk and was an ass to May) and has believable flaws. He knows he should completely end his failing marriage before he gets involved with May and definitely feels guilty about it, but he doesn’t do skeevy stuff. He’s also a great father and does the best he can for his kids while they go through the divorce too.
I think my favorite thing about the entire story was the author’s attention to detail. The town of Mystic Water completely came to life and sounds like someplace I’d want to raise my kids haha. Each scene featured rich details that only added to the story, rather than over-encumber it. I want to go the Bea’s Bakery for a treat and take it to Jordan Pond to watch the ducks because I feel like I already KNOW those places.
My favorite quote from the story is this: “…life is short, and we have to love as many people as we can and as much as we can.” I think that’s a good way to summarize the main theme of the story.
My only criticisms of the story aren’t that big of a deal. For one thing, the story jumps back and forth between “current time” where May is about 60 years old, and the past where May is in her twenties (I think) and meeting Oliver for the first time. Sometimes it was difficult to tell if we were in the past or the present because the only indication was a font change, but the fonts were so similar I had a hard time telling them apart. Often I thought I was still in the past when I was actually in the present. But then the majority of the book takes place in the past, so once I figured that out it was okay. Also, I noticed May has a notable nervous tick: she often touches her stomach or talks about her stomach being knotted or nauseous. I was waiting for her to admit she was pregnant because she was constantly putting her hand on her stomach!
Overall, this was a really fun story about a difficult romance. I’d love to read more from Jennifer Moorman and venture back into Mystic Water! -
Another wonderful visit to the lovely, magical Mystic Water. These books just give me a happy, warm feeling by the end of each story.
This story is about May and Oliver and flips back and forth between the present day, where 60 year old May has been asked to visit a very sick Oliver in hospital by his daughter, and 30 years ago when May and Oliver first met. In the past May was in town to look after her grandma and Oliver was the fairly new town doctor, married with two children. But Oliver's wife was a complete shrew and a miserable person and they were in the process of getting a divorce. During this time May met Oliver and sparks flew, they were just so in tune with one another and made such a lovely couple.
The magical part of this story is May, whose moods seems to have an affect on the weather, luckily she was known as bringing sunshine with her most of the time, except during some turbulent times with Oliver when there were a few thunderstorms!
There are definitely some trials and tribulations during the story, and the path of true love certainly didn't run smoothly, but this is a story about never giving up hope - if something is meant to be then the universe will get around to people being in exactly the place they should be, even though it may take years in May and Oliver's case. Without spoiling the story, Oliver did make a wrong decision but had always regretted it. But life goes on and takes a different turn for a while. The ending was so lovely, it definitely brought a tear to my eye!
I absolutely love the Mystic Water series and hope the town's magical journey continues for many more books. -
This is Jennifer Moorman’s best. Finding May is a tender, heartfelt story about second chances and having an open heart. I didn’t put it down until I was finished. I was pulled right in and enjoyed every page and every surprise. It’s my favorite Mystic Water book so far.
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Following your heart, bottling your happiness and breaking promises for the greater good. Pure magic!
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How does one leave a review on a book that spoke to them on a deep level? I cried, I smiled, I had butterflies fluttering about in my stomach, but I can't seem to come up with the proper words to express my adoration for this book.
I guess the best way to describe it is sitting down to watch a heart warming film. It has a beautiful small town, Mystic Waters, it has a cheerful protagonist, May MacAdams, and it has a handsome small town doctor, Oliver Bisset. But it's more than that. It has a life of its own. In true magical realism fashion, May, has a special ability of cheering people up-being the bright light in their moment of darkness. And when the handsome doctor takes a liking to her, poor May has a hard time not wanting to help. This leads to her making a promise that she hasn't broken in 30 years. But, she has to make the decision to break it for her first love.
The setting, the characters, everything in this book will (hopefully) hit you right in the heart. Jennifer takes the time to place you in the scene with her descriptions, and right into the minds of the characters with her heart felt words. There will be moments where you might cry, but there are moments of pure sunshine, as well. It reminds you to always be hopeful, that the sun will always rise. Truly, a heart felt book that will make you want to visit Mystic Waters! -
"(...) Then you could tell me that it's okay to visit an old friend, even if I had loved him desperately at one time. You'd tell me that life is short, and we have to love as many people as we can and as much as we can.(...)"🌼 'Finding May' by Jennifer Moorman
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I'll give this book 5 out of 5🌟!
The love story between May and Oliver and all the characters mention in this book kept my attention from beginning to end, I was so eager to know what would happen to all of them! 🌼
It truly is a warming, magical tell of love, re-encounters, forgiveness and start over! 💗
It gave me a warm sensation as much as it gave me heartache for this amazing people, their story and lives are so real and so up to what can happen to any of us that it was impossible not to feel their love, pain, anger and all the emotions that went along their story line. 🌼
Jennifer has an amazing way of describing real life situations with a pitch of south magic that makes everything more warm and engaging to read. 🌼
So happy for this new chance on getting back to Mystic Water and having a few encounters with characters from previous books! ☺️
It's always a pleasure to read one of Jennifer's Moorman books, and as long as they keep going I'll read each one of then and never get tired of recommending this delightful and magical stories to everyone! 💗 -
{When is it okay to break a promise?}
Thirty years ago, after finally getting out of an abusive relationship, May MacAdams is falling in love again. Oliver Bisset is a doctor. He is kind and compassionate. The problem? He is going through a contentious divorce, but is still technically married.
Years later, when May learns that Oliver is in the hospital and possibly dying, she must decide whether to break her promise to never return to Mystic Water and say goodbye to her first love.
Jennifer Moorman crafts a sweet, whimsical tale of first love and first heartbreak. Her story returns to Mystic Waters (where all her novels take place) and often hints at or refers to previous characters and stories. Charming and sweet, with romance and lots of southern twists of phrase, this novel is perfect chicklit in my opinion.
My one complaint was that for the parts that were to have taken place thirty years ago, people were texting and using cellphones. This is just a personal continuity issue, as the author never states the actual dates of when this is all occurring (the present could be the near future as this none of this would matter). It was just hard for me to suspend in my delve into the story.
Otherwise, I enjoyed this novel and returning to Mystic Waters. -
Wow I did not expect such a clever and heartwarming story. I want to thank Jennifer herself for sending me an advanced copy of this novel. I absolutely adore this book. It was whimsical and endearing. I loved how it alternated between the past and present and gave light to May and Oliver's story. I will indeed be reading more novels by Jennifer.
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“...Love lost and found, forgiveness, restoration, all the good stuff.” This, and SO many more, quotes from this book ring so true for me as to the things that are really important in life!! Jennifer has truly woven a magical story of the lives of May, Oliver, Emily and Andy, and many more from Mystic Water.
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A wonderful tale about love, loss, and the past that we never really leave behind.
Moorman's writing pulls me in with the sights, sounds and feel of another world where a little magic is sprinkled on it all. -
I received an advance readers copy of this book in return for an honest review. I wholly enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. The characters were personable and likable and who doesn’t love a good southern town!? I saved this book for my chemo days and it helped to make the time fly!
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Moorman, Jennifer. Finding May. 2019
May has recently been widowed, and with years becoming age, she feels adrift not knowing where her life should go. But Mystic Water calls. And Oliver awaits. May is tempted to break her promise to never return there.
Can May navigate her life? Will she find peace and love? Living with her sometimes crotchety grandmother, May meets the handsome Dr. Bisset. And like sunshine warming the morning lawn, May can't resist, even when she knows better.
The story is told mostly as flashback. We get to see May in her younger years making choices about life and happiness and sunshine. As she makes choices you will be rooting for her, hoping for her and fixedly reading for the next chapter to find out what happens to her.
Ms. Moorman's Mystic Water series of books, is a charming, engaging way to meet new fictional friends and be lost in their worlds. The writing is engaging. Ms. Moorman's descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding May is always welcome. I keep hoping for a movie series to be made from these books.
