REVIEW:

I wouldn’t change a thing. When was the last time you could say that about a book?

From the intriguing prologue through the touching epilogue, I was captivated by this story about a young woman coming of age in 1970s New England. Annalisa Mancuso is a budding artist determined to find success as a painter in the big city of Portland. While she has talent and determination in spades, life - in the form of first love, prejudice, and betrayal - makes her path a rocky one. The Vietnam War is also raging overseas, and even residents of Maine are affected.

Author Boo Walker started his creative career as a songwriter and musician, which is evident through his lyrical prose and storytelling. He also evokes the music of the era (The Beatles, Elvis, The Guess Who, etc.) to immerse readers into Annalisa’s world. For the hours I spent with this novel, I felt like I was living in the 70s.

The Singing Trees is the first book I have read by this author, and I’m thrilled to see he has a back catalogue for me to explore. I will definitely be turning to his previous (and future) works when I’m in need of a touching story with fantastic characterization, a lot of heart, and just the exact right amount of humor.

Boo Walkers novels (including this one) are currently available on Kindle Unlimited with WhisperSync audio narration.

PUBLISHER SYNOPSIS:

A young artist forges a path of self-discovery in an enriching novel about forgiving the past and embracing second chances, from the bestselling author of An Unfinished Story.

Maine, 1969. After losing her parents in a car accident, aspiring artist Annalisa Mancuso lives with her grandmother and their large Italian family in the stifling factory town of Payton Mills. Inspired by her mother, whose own artistic dreams disappeared in a damaged marriage, Annalisa is dedicated only to painting. Closed off to love, and driven as much by her innate talent as she is the disillusionment of her past, Annalisa just wants to come into her own.

The first step is leaving Payton Mills and everything it represents. The next, the inspiring opportunities in the city of Portland and a thriving New England art scene where Annalisa hopes to find her voice. But she meets Thomas, an Ivy League student whose attentions — and troubled family — upend her pursuits in ways she never imagined possible. As their relationship deepens, Annalisa must balance her dreams against an unexpected love. Until the unraveling of an unforgivable lie.

For Annalisa, opening herself up to life and to love is a risk. It might also be the chance she needs to finally become the person and the artist she’s meant to be.