At 49, Elizabeth is lost. At 50, Liz finds herself. Young Elizabeth is like a lot of young girls, bad home life, looking for a better way and falls in love with Thomas, a young fire and brimstone preacher. They marry and he molds her into the type of preacher’s wife he thinks is appropriate. She goes along with this willingly, until one day her life changes in the blink of an eye. She finds her voice, rebels, returns to something she loves and finds a love and life different than she could have ever imagined.

A nice love story of an older women going from one extreme in her life to another. You slowly watch Liz change in the span of a year to the women she was always wanted to be. Story is predictable, but enjoyable. Cast of characters are what you would expect to find in a small town, groups separated by differences but in the end willing to come together to support someone they love. The church group is judgmental, holier than thou. Unfortunately, I’ve known people exactly like this. Fortunately, I’ve also know people nothing like this! Writing is good and story develops at a nice pace. Characters are brought to life, flaws and all. Enjoyable story, quick read.

Thanks to Ms. King, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone. ( )

3.5-star read

Elizabeth Lightsey was a good and dutiful wife to her husband as well as a respectful wife to a clergyman. She was also a respectable mother to her daughter Abigail and followed all of the stringent rules set forth by her husband, Rev. Thomas Lightsey. She never disagreed with him. She never offered an opinion. She was never flamboyant. In fact, she was leading a church organized knitting circle in their home when her husband dropped dead of a massive heart attack. And now, at age 49, Elizabeth (she prefers Liz, thank you very much) is at a literal and figurative crossroads in her life. Does she continue on the path set forth by her strict and overly rigid husband or does she find her own way in life?

You already know that Liz is going to shake free and try to discover who she really is because it's never too late to try something new. Sadly, not too many people want Liz to change, including Liz's daughter or any of the gossiping busybodies from Liz's church. Fortunately, Liz has a BFF in her next-door neighbor and Val is definitely shaking things up. Liz has new clothes, is wearing her hair differently, and is even wearing makeup. She's joined a theater group, and has stopped going to church. And now, adding insult to perceived injury in her daughter Abigail's eyes after an almost DUI (you'll definitely want to read the book to learn more about that one), Liz is pregnant. Will she have an abortion, give the baby up for adoption (as Abigail suggests), or raise the baby as a single parent since she's quite adamant about not getting married again?

Liz has crammed a lot of life into the few months after her husband's death. The reader gets a glimpse into her marital life via journal entries, discoveries made whilst Liz is clearing the house, and more. A Borrowed Life isn't a simple story about a mid-life crisis or a self-discovery. It's about allowing oneself to become subsumed by a stronger personality in a relationship. It's about family, both blood family and found family. And it's a story about self-determination at any age (you'll have to read the story to understand that a bit more). I found A Borrowed Life to be a fast-paced and enjoyable read. I could relate to all of the characters and the action, and empathized and sympathized with Liz and Abigail. If you enjoy reading stories filled with realistic characters dealing with everyday issues in a funny and unique way, you'll definitely want to grab a copy of A Borrowed Life to read. After I finished reading this book, I immediately began discussing it with my 85-y.o. mother and had to order a print copy for her to read. (Yes, I liked it that much.) Ms. King is a new-to-me author, but I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. I hope you'll enjoy reading A Borrowed Life as much as I did.

Happy Reading y'all!

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review originally posted on 10/02/2020 at https://www.thebookdivasreads.com/2020/10/2020-book-367-borrowed-life-by-kerry.h.... ( )

For close to thirty years Liz has played the part of Mrs. Thomas Lightsey, exemplary pastor’s wife and mother. But maintaining appearances takes a toll, and she’s lost herself in meeting the expectations of others. When Thomas suddenly dies, Liz feels shock, grief, and, to her surprise, the siren song of freedom. Dare she dream of a life to call her own?

REVIEW: I certainly felt for Liz as she recounts her married life and everything she gave up to be a dutiful wife and mother. I rooted for her as she began to slowly let her old self as Elizabeth die while making her own decisions as Liz. I liked the boldness of some of the characters and Liz’s way of standing up for herself. Although her husband dies, luckily Liz isn’t ever alone with a cast of characters that show up for her. This book is about new beginnings, self-discovery, taking chances, and hope. I highly recommend it.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kerry Anne King and I’ll definitely be reading others.


Thank you Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC of in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Liz is a 49 year old pastor's wife at the beginning of this story. Her husband Thomas is very legalistic and in complete control of his household. Liz is to be his obedient wife and a role model for the church. In her mind, Liz is trying to keep from completely losing herself and writes in her journals daily in order to deal with the life she has chosen. Out of the blue Thomas drops dead of a heart attack and for the first time in over 25 years Liz is on her own with no one to answer to. She looks back on her marriage with many regrets, the foremost being how she allowed her daughter to be raised. After the initial shock, she forges ahead into this new stage of her life determined to find herself again and live the rest of her days saying yes to things with no regrets.

I loved this story. The cast of characters surrounding Liz was interesting and I liked how they supported her and each other. I did, however, think that the church ladies were written a little stereotypically especially at the beginning of the story. Lance was a worthy leading man and love interest with his own tragic backstory. Their romance was truly unique and I loved it.

My sincere thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion on it. I will recommend and look forward to more Kerry Anne King books in my future. ( )

This is an adult 'coming of age' story. Liz, the main character is 49 years old but she hasn't been able to be 'herself' since she got married 26 years earlier to a man who controlled her life. He was a preacher and the head of the household in every way - he told her how to dress, how to act as a preacher's wife and how to raise their only child. He believed that man was the head of the household and that women were only put on earth to serve their husband. When he dies of a sudden heart attack she gradually begins to take her life back and to find the 'inner Liz' - the person she always wanted to be. She decides to try out with a local theater group and begins to investigate life as she hasn't been able to. Shocked by the changes in her life are not only the 'church people' but more importantly her daughter Abigail. Because Abigail was raised in such a controlled household she lives a life that is very strictly controlled. She is appalled that her mother tried out for the play, that her mother has had a few drinks and then the last straw is when her mother gets pregnant. She feels like she has to move home to protect her mother from the terrible outside influences and really wants to control her mother - something that Liz isn't willing to let happen now that she's just found freedom.

Liz is one of my favorite characters in a long time. I loved the way she began to open up her life and the fact that she was willing to try a lot of new things even though her husband's voice in her mind kept degrading her. I loved seeing the changes that Liz made in her life and I was on her side as she faced the challenges that she was presented with. She was stronger than she gave herself credit for. This is a wonderful story about hope and self-discovery, family and love and breaking out of the bonds that have held you back. It's a very well-written story with very real - flaws and all - characters who you really care about. It was great to see Liz break out of the life that was forced on her and learning to love and respect herself again. It's Kerry Anne King at her best. ( )