Review: Whistling Women by Kelly Romo

Whistling Women

by Kelly Romo

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Pages: 

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Life went terribly wrong for Addie Bates in San Diego, and she’s been running from dark memories ever since. For fifteen years, the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony has provided a safe haven for Addie to hide from the crime she committed. But when the residents pack up to go on exhibit at the 1935 world’s fair in San Diego, Addie returns and must face the thrilling yet terrifying prospect of reuniting with her estranged sister, Wavey.

Addie isn’t the only one interested in a reunion. When her niece, Rumor, discovers she has an aunt, Rumor is determined to bring her family together. But it’s not so easy when the women are forced to confront family secrets, past and present.


Kritters Thoughts:  A historical fiction that is told through two very different points of view a woman who has ended up in a nudist colony and the other view is a young girl who finds out she has more family than what she has always known - her mother, sister and "father," this discovery sends her on an adventure to find out who she really is.

I loved the few chapters at the beginning that set up these two characters separately and then the reveal came early - which I loved!  It gave the author the bulk of the book for these two to interact and to have a real full story.  

The setting was great, not just the time, but the place.  The World's Fair in San Diego.  I had not read a book centered around a World Fair, although I know they are out there and may even have a few on my shelf, I enjoyed learning about this family, but also with the backdrop of the World Fair was very fun to read.

There are not a ton of books that focus on an aunt/niece relationship and I enjoyed that part of this book.  Being only an aunt and not a mom, it was fun to see it in print and to see the appreciation a niece/nephew has about having an aunt in their lives.  On a personal note, being an aunt is one of my favorite parts of my life.  

I loved this debut book.  I loved that yes, it was historical in its point in time, but if you enjoy family stories, you can enjoy this without it being in your face historical.  I will definitely be looking out for Kelly Romo's next book.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row


Ebook 2015 Challenge:  46 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  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.