Author: Kevin Wilson
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Ecco
Published: October 29, 2019
Book Description: Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.
Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.
Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?
With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: By now, most of you heard of this strange quirky book. Jenna Bush Hagar picked this for her November book club book, and this was a BOTM selection for October. I loved Wilson’s last book A Perfect World, so I knew I was going to read this book eventually. Well, eventually meant right now. I enjoyed every moment of this book.
This book centers around Lillian who has grown up poor with not many prospects. You find out in HS she was awarded a scholarship to a prestigious school where she meets Madison her roommate. They quickly become best friends, but shortly after, Lillian takes the fall for Madison that gets her expelled. Fast forward 10 years and Madison asks Lillian to assist her with something very important.
What Lillian finds out is Madison wants her to care for their two step-children whose mother has just died, oh by the way they self-combust when they are not happy. Lillian thinks really nothing of it and decided to help out. What ensues, is a pretty comical story. Lillian is the defiantly the star of this book, she is witty and kind and has these children’s best interest at heart from the very beginning.
I found the twins Bessie and Roland absolutely endearing. They just want to be loved and fit in, but really have never been afforded the opportunity because of their “little” problem. Kevin wrote a rich story that will get a ton of buzz. There are some twists and turns on this one, but leaves a very satisfactory ending.
Obsessed Bookaholic 