Finding Casey

Overall rating- 4.5/5

Summary (Goodreads)- Glory Vigil, newly married, unexpectedly pregnant at 41, is nesting in the home she and her husband Joseph have just moved to in Santa Fe, a house that unknown to them is rumored to have a resident ghost. Their adopted daughter Juniper is home from college for Thanksgiving and in love for the very first time, quickly learning how a relationship changes everything. But Juniper has a tiny arrow lodged in her heart, a leftover shard from the day eight years earlier when her sister Casey disappeared-in a time before she'd ever met Glory and Joseph. When a fieldwork course takes Juniper to a pueblo only a few hours away, she finds herself right back in the past she thought she'd finally buried. A love story, a family story, a story of searching and the bond between sisters, Finding Casey is a testament to human resilience. This completely stand-alone novel, featuring beloved characters from Solomon's Oak, will charm Mapson's readers and move her into a larger sphere.

Before I start, I just want to point out that the version that I've read is the 'Uncorrected Proof Copy' which I've received from a giveaway at Goodreads.

I loved Finding Casey, I though it was a wonderful book. I actually haven't read Solomon's Oak yet, but I'll definitely look it up.
Just a warning, there will be spoilers included in this review, so do not read further if you don't want to read them.

It is a story set in Santa Fe of Glory Vigil who had just become pregnant at the age of 40. That is quite an old age to be pregnant, so we see her worries and difficulties. This book changes perspectives, from Glory, Juniper or Laurel to other characters such as Joseph. I did not mind it as I though it was particularly interesting to see things unfolding slowly, and I could see the puzzles piece together one by one. The perspective is mostly from Glory but the most important plot is that of Laurel or as later revealed- Casey.

I loved to way it is written. It's not an overlly descriptive book and it's not filled to the brim with prose and metaphors. I can't quite explain it but the way it was written kept me glued to the book. I loved the different characters too. They all had interesting personalities that are quite funny too at times. I also loved how everything came together at the end. Although I knew Juniper would eventually find Casey, it's just unbelievable how it happened. I mean she just happened to buy a pot that was unknowingly made by her missing sister! Whoa, what a small world huh?

Glory is a kind, gentle and protective mother. I know that she's going to be a good mother to her new baby. However, pregnancy at 40 truly worried her, as it should be. It could be quite dangerous and she did express her worries at times. I loved how she looked after everyone, especially Juniper. She truly is a wonderful woman. I liked her relationship with Joseph too. They are so cute together!! Joseph is such a nice guy! He takes care of his wife very well and I love the gestures he makes such as buying her chickens. It might sound weird but it makes Glory happy so it's so sweet~ And he would go to great lengths to make Glory happy like travelling far even with his injured back. He's just so nice and they're perfect together.

I really felt bad for Laurel. I kinda knew that she was Casey from the start but it was still unclear how she ended up with Seth and having Aspen. She must've been so scared when she had to Outside as it was a very unfamiliar thing for her. I understand why she was so cautious with everyone. She's like a fish that had been taken out of the water. Not to mention she was so worried about Aspen. When she started telling the story, at first I did think that it was just a made up story. However as the story progressed, I realised that it was Casey's personal story. It was quite heartbreaking imagining what happened to her. I was so happy when she met Juniper again at the end.

Juniper was also an interesting character. I was sad when I found out that she got involved in things such as drugs in the past. I loved how close she is to Glory and Joseph even though they aren't her biological parents. It really shows her gratitude and how meeting them is what had changed her to be a better person. When I first 'met' Topher, I instantly did not like him. I don't know why, since it's not like he's described badly. There are just actions he did that made me dislike him. Such as lying, pressuring Juniper to have sex etc. From the very start I truly wished for Juniper to break up with him and find a better guy. I was so happy when I 'met' Chico near the end. He was a guy that's not like what girls would imagine their boyfriend to be like. He's not drop dead gorgeous, rich or play music and even had a slightly hostile attitude. However I liked him from the very start. It's like Topher is a perfect but plastic guy, while Chico is a real guy with faults. I was so~ happy when they ended up together at the end!!

I'm pretty sure that there's going to be another book coming out. There are still things left unfinished like where Seth is and more importantly, Glory's baby. I truly cannot wait to read the next book. I think Jo-Ann Mapson is a wonderful writer, and I'll be looking out for her other books~ ^^