Night of a Thousand Darlas
by Brooke Abrams
From the author of Penelope in Retrograde comes the sparkling story of three generations of women, each trying to live out their own dreams without breaking a leg in the process.
Liza Day’s mother isn’t dead, but leave it to Darla Day to throw herself a funeral anyway. It’s the kind of attention grab Liza left behind to build a quiet life for herself and rebellious teenage daughter, Avery. But between her students discovering her old daytime TV show and putting her teaching job at risk to her mother’s unexpected funeral invitation, Liza’s life feels truly like a soap opera.
When Liza returns to her family’s historic Day Ranch for her mother’s premature farewell, she’s not sure what to expect. Darla’s always been known for eccentricities, both on-screen and off-screen. Thankfully, Liza has her siblings to help navigate Mom’s antics, which include everyone dressing as one of Darla’s many iconic film characters, a harem of white rabbits, and one surprise Liza’s former costar and Avery’s father, Scotty.
The more time Liza and Avery spend on the ranch, the more Liza realizes that it might be time to trade in the scripted life she thought she wanted, for a leading role in the family she’s always needed.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
If there’s one common language between high school teacher and student, it’s sarcasm.
Mom places a hand to her forehead and crouches down low like she’s the Golden Girls version of Dora the Explorer.
But being close to Scotty, whether we’re holding hands or cuddled up together on a couch watching a movie, is like being wrapped up in warm sheets fresh from the dryer. I never want the feeling to end.
He leans over my shoulder to look at the tray and makes a face. “I don’t think we can call this cooking. It looks more like foraging. Feral cat foraging in a dumpster, to be exact.”
He doesn’t let go until I do. He never does. There’s something special about people who hug you as long as you need it.
My Review:
I adored this, I enjoy clever snark and this well-crafted tale delivered in spades. The writing was engaging, witty, perceptive, giggle-snort worthy, heart-squeezing, and often all on the same page.
Brooke Abrams lives in the Sonoran Desert with her husband, three children, three dogs, and a cat. She’s quite literally never alone. Not even now.
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