Review: Leaves by Michael Baron

Leaves by Michael Baron

Publisher: The Story Plant 

Pages: 352 

Format: book 

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  Welcome to Oldham, CT, a small town rich in Colonial heritage while being utterly contemporary. Situated along the Connecticut River Valley, Oldham bursts with color every fall, as the leaves on its trees evolve into an unmatched palette of scarlet, orange, purple, yellow, and bronze. For more than three decades, the Gold family has been a central part of Oldham in the fall, its Sugar Maple Inn a destination for "leaf-peepers” from all over the country, and its annual Halloween party a stirring way to punctuate the town’s most active month.

But this year, more than just the leaves are changing. With the death of their parents, the Gold siblings, Maria, Maxwell, Deborah, Corrina, and Tyler, have decided to sell the Sugar Maple Inn, and this year’s Halloween party will be the last. As October begins, the Golds contend with the finality that faces them, and the implications it has for a family that has always been so close. For some, it means embracing new challenges and new love. For others, it means taking on unimagined roles. And for others, it means considering the inconceivable. Complicating it all is a series of "hauntings” that touch each of the Gold siblings, a series of benign interventions that will remain a mystery until October draws to a close.


Kritters Thoughts:  A family of five children and an inn that has been left in their possession as they have both passed away.  Each has played their own role, but with the inn going to corporate hands, they must each give up a piece of their childhood.  Throughout the book there are references as to memories in the past - I loved how each memory was introduced and shared by each character.

As you may know, I love family dramas that are full of sibling rivalry.  With 5 siblings, each with different hobbies, jobs, children and spouses, I had to make a chart for this book, but it was worth it because this book will excitedly have a sequel (or maybe more than one!)  I loved how some of their stories intermingled, it made their relationships feel real; the whole book felt really real which is something I look for in a book that I pass on and on!  

I don't normally quote books, but this completely made my day when I read it - "How did someone at the back end of the birth order become such a control freak?"  I love how these siblings took on different roles than the normal birth order usually deems.  

I think this book had quite some substance, so if you are looking for some meaty family drama, this book is perfect to curl up with during a winter weekend.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel (and it is on the way!)

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Providence Book Promotions.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.