3.5 stars.  I liked this. Had no trouble finishing it. Will I remember it? Would I rush to recommend it? Not really. I made a few notes while I listened (I had both the audio and the Kindle copy, went primarily with the audio). I think it found it through a Facebook group recommendation. 

1st person past tense with two POVs ... Miss Isabelle and Dorrie (two different narrators in audio, needed, and both were good). Two timelines, as Isabelle recounts her story from back in 1939.  I appreciated that the chapters were both numbered, and included the POV/Date in the Table of Contents in both formats. 

Dorrie is black, and race plays a big part in the past/Isabelle's story as well, as foreshadowed by the cover image.

While yes, race of course was a huge part of the "problem" ... it was also her being underage. I have to wonder if the reaction would have still been somewhat similar if she'd run off with a white boy.  Once she was 18, she left and was on her own her parents/brothers didn't seem at all concerned with what she was doing or who she was with

I think I've read a few too many "had sex one time and got pregnant" plot points in recent reads. I know that can happen, but as someone who struggled with infertility, it can come across as annoying and "convenient" for the storyline.  So many two-timeline stories, so many "old crotchety lady ends up forming a strong relationship with a younger person" stories ... I guess I felt like I'd heard most of the story before. Little "twist" at the end wasn't a surprise either, I was totally expecting that  SPOILER

her daughter hadn't died, miscommunications all around, the father ending up helping a little

I really enjoyed the "crossword puzzle" play ... that they were doing puzzles along the way, and that Dorrie was learning (and sharing the words/definitions) with us/the reader.  Enjoyed some humor ... after the word "beloved" Dorrie thinks "Maybe Steve was be-loved at one time. Now he’s downright be-noying."

Seemed like there were a few product placements ... I'm not sure if it makes it more "real" and relevant when JC Penny, Walgreens, StateFarm is specified, or if that takes me out of the story, wondering why they are naming names. 

Dorrie is a hair stylist, and I had to laugh at her giving "complimentary bangs trims—it made my life easier when they left the damn things alone."  I trim my own, ha ha, I'm sure I make a mess of it!

In audio, at the end of chapter 37 ... super long pause. Did my book turn off? My earbud? Just a long break that didn't get edited properly ...

No proFanity. Some other words I note: detritus, katty corner

I would have liked some discussion questions included ... sometimes that makes me stop and think longer on the book, delve a little deeper and up my appreciation.