🎸🎼🎶 “If We Ever Get There” (2024) 🎶🎼🎸 – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW 

 

Paperback: 333 pages 
Publisher: Lake Union/Amazon Publishing (June 18, 2024) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1662519044
ISBN-13: 978-1662519048
⬅️ Click Photo for Pre-Order Information   

 

“When her nineteen-year marriage ends, stay-at-home mom Effie Baker takes the first step into her new life with an extreme makeover. She assumes she’ll wake up with a renewed sense of confidence, not a vision of country music icon Patsy Cline telling her she needs to “set things right.” But like everything else lately, the last thing Effie expected is exactly what she gets.

 

Although the message is cryptic, Effie is certain it must have something to do with her grandmother, Lolly, who idolized the singer. While Lolly’s past may hold the key to her granddaughter’s future, it’s up to Effie to figure out what these connections mean on her own.

 

In the whirlwind of a new job, a mysterious stranger, and the ups and downs of everyday life, Effie will have to decide what relationships are worth saving and summon the courage to find her own voice.” 

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Laura Barrow, for providing a complimentary review copy through Kate Rock Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own. 

 

While this is the author’s second book, it is the first one I’ve read of hers. Normally, I don’t do Southern fiction or women’s fiction. I often find it too sad, depressing, or too “deep” for my tastes. Often the topics are not ones I am interested in. 

 

But, with this being set against the backdrop of Patsy Cline’s music; which includes the popular hits “Crazy”, “She’ s Got You”, “I Fall to Pieces”, and “Walkin’ After Midnight”; I had to read it. My grandmother, who was picky about her music, was fond of Patsy Cline. Her favorite song was “Walkin’ After Midnight”, where mine was “Crazy”. 

 

Interesting note -> “Crazy” was written by legend Willie Nelson. 

 

At the time, Nelson's mood was negatively affected by his lack of stable employment while supporting his wife and three children, since his three jobs did not provide enough income. According to his autobiography It's a Long Story: My Life, Nelson wondered if he were “Crazy” and completed the song as if he were a man whose relationship recently ended. He wrote it in under an hour and originally the song’s title was “Stupid”. He found it difficult to find artists to record it due to its use of several chords, instead of the standard three used for country music compositions at the time. 

 

Patsy’s husband had previously brought her one song of Nelson’s and she rejected it. She didn’t want any more songs from him. There are a few stories circulating as to how “Crazy” made it to Patsy, but it did.

 

As she’d been in a car accident that bruised her ribs (she’d been thrown through the windshield as the car didn’t have seatbelts), her participation ended temporarily as she couldn’t reach the notes needed to match Nelson's phrasing. The instrumental backing was done during that time.

 

However, she was asked to use her own singing style, and after she recovered, she recorded the vocals to it on the first take. It became Cline's most successful pop single, her signature song, and one of the country songs that generated the most royalties.

 

It is considered a country music standard, and in 1996, it became the all-time most played song in jukeboxes in the United States. It has appeared on MANY television shows (Moonlighting, Quantum Leap, Cold Case) and in movies (The Handmaid's Tale (1990), Doc Hollywood (1991), Nell (1994)). Which is probably why I like the song as much as I do. 

 

That said …

 

I was definitely intrigued by the premise of this book. As of note, as Patsy Cline died in 1963, this will be an unavoidable spoiler for some readers. However, the “relationship” Lola has with her is fictional and parts of that will not be spoiled. 

 

Though, it does tackle some themes that might be triggering for some readers:

 

💔 Infidelity 

📃 Divorce

🍻 DUI (w/death and injury)

🕯️ Potential Witchcraft (deals with the 1998-2005 series Charmed; and movie The Craft)

🪢 A mention of BDSM (though only the letters are used, no acts)

 

There is also some “language”. While not used profusely, there are a few variances of the “s”-word. 

 

This seems to be a standalone read as I didn’t see any names of the primary characters of the author’s previous novel. 

 

Barrow introduces readers to:

 

👱🏻‍♀️ Effie

👩🏻‍🦳 Margie

🧰 Daniel

👦🏻 Jay

👧🏻 Teagan

👦🏻 Brody

🕯️ Grace 

⚖️ Drew

🍾 Cameron

🎸 Lolly/Lola 

 

Lolly/Lola’s voice is mainly the past POV and told in first person in the form of journaling. Effie’s is present day and told in third person. Readers learn that Effie called her grandmother Lolly as she couldn’t pronounce Lola. And, since she called her grandfather “pop” – LollyPop. 

 

There are also a few plotlines at work: 

 

📜 Effie trying to manage through her divorce, and seeking employment

👻 Effie trying to help Cameron move on

🎸 Lola’s life from teen admirer of Patsy to married woman

🏛️ Tegan’s issue with a museum

 

This begins as Effie Baker’s life takes a stunning turn after 19 years of marriage, and even more so after having plastic surgery.

 

Though, for some reason, when her soon-to-be-ex-husband shows up, Effie is convinced something went wrong. She does recall seeing a ghostly image of Patsy Cline wearing a white gown. Which, as it turns out, is from the late singer’s final performance. 

 

 

    

All Daniel will tell her is that it was a “slight hitch”, though Effie believes she died and Patsy’s words of “Not yet, hoss. You need more time to set things right” is what brings her back.

 

During her recovery, Effie has to deal with her mother who is trying to “guilt” her into getting back with Daniel, using her grandmother Lola’s marriage as an example. Although, Daniel has found another “woman” – 27-ear-old Amber, and Effie wants to move past that betrayal.

 

In addition to her confusion about a ghostly Patsy Cline with a mysterious message, Effie sees other deceased folks who’ve yet to crossover. Yet, they all seemingly need her help. One more than the others. At least they tend more to the Casper version than Poltergeist. 

 

She meets Cameron at the interview for a legal aid. Turns out, it is Cameron’s brother. And, Cameron believes Drew is keeping him from moving on. It is Cameron who helps Effie get the job, and it’s clear why – she is his way of reaching his brother. 

 

Yet, reaching Drew – who doesn’t want to talk about his family – might be harder than her divorce. 

 

Back in 1961, Lola opens her journal and addresses it to Patsy. In it, readers learn who Lola is – and what she wants. One of those things is a Gibson guitar as she is inspired by Patsy’s music.

 

However, as Lola soon finds – both in romance and real life – it’s hard being an adult. It’s also hard being someone that you’re not comfortable with being even if it means going against convention.

 

Effie isn’t privileged to the journal, but as her grandmother’s health declines, she is given the letter that “saved” the family. Effie wonders about what her grandmother wrote to Patsy that would’ve caused the singer to write back with such “life-changing” advice. 

 

It is both her grandmother’s “relationship” with Patsy, along with an unlikely friendship with Cameron, that helps drive Effie to “set things right”. Though, the methods for going about it is somewhat unorthodox and at times humorous, and at times she doesn’t know if she should fight for her marriage or let it go. 

 

Riveting, reflective, and at times emotional – Effie’s journey is played out through the different aspects of her life: wife/ex-wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, and ghost-whisperer. Effie’s attempt to navigate these aspects is charming and endearing. It’s also realistic in the mother/daughter dynamics with Marge/Effie along with Effie/Teagan.

 

I wasn’t shocked when it came to what happened after Lola got the letter from Patsy. I had a feeling early on that something wasn’t going to be going right. Still, it was an interesting plot point given Effie’s mother and how she was about Effie going back to Daniel. 

 

This wasn’t a terrible read, nor is it high up of ones I’d run right back to. 

 

What hindered this for me, was the slow movement of the story until about the 75% mark for me. There was also an unresolved plot arc involving Effie’s daughter Teagan and a protest involving a museum. This isn’t fully resolved, and I thought it would’ve been great to see the final conclusion of that. It had great potential as well. Also, what college did Jay get into?? 

 

The short chapters, as well as Lola’s journal entries definitely helped keep my attention. I found I was more interested in Lola’s journey than Effie’s. And, the part featuring Patsy’s death was tragic. As of note, I’ve seen Coal Miner’s Daughter which featured Patsy’s death as she and Loretta Lynn were close friends. Pasty was portrayed by Beverly DeAngelo and Loretta was portrayed by Sissy Spacek. Anyone having seen the movie and reading about Lola’s reaction, can understand how Lola felt. Patsy was quite a legend. And, still is.

 

Barrow accurately portrayed the grief Lola felt after Patsy’s death despite not knowing her. That I could relate to. There was an actor I adored so much, and his passing was back in 2016. I, even now, often find it hard to believe he’s gone. I do watch a lot of his movies. While we, as fans may not know these people, there is something in their work that speaks to us and reaches us. 

 

I had mixed feelings about Grace, especially when it came to Effie navigating the divorce. Despite what Daniel did to Effie, Effie still felt wrong about dating before the divorce was final. I think Grace should’ve accepted that and supported her friend. I felt she was far too pushy. 

 

While Lola and Effie’s character growth was to be expected, I think Teagan’s “growth” was among the most endearing and quite unexpected. She conveyed what older kids see when reflecting back on their parents. 

 

I absolutely felt sorry for Drew who had to wonder if Effie had lost her mind. However, the grief and anger he felt was understandable. Their relationship was quite interesting. 

 

I enjoyed the references to the series Charmed. I watched it from season 3-5, then a few episodes of season 7. I have to say my sole interest was Cole Turner (Julian McMahan). Charmed being referenced has to do with a season 4 episode about calling spirits and what is needed since Grace is trying to help Effie summon Patsy Cline in hopes to find out what’s going on. However, there is NO satanic or evil witchcraft involved. It is only done the once and not a continual plot line. Definitely no foolish wand waving either. 

 

I would be interested to revisit the characters down the road to see how they’re doing and what all is going on in their lives, perhaps even solve the one open plot point. And, learn whatever came of Lola’s beloved Gibson. 

 

Barrow crafts a story that touches the heart and leaves one wondering about their own dreams and who they are. She also makes us curious about the stories we hear from our family, and the truth(s) behind them.

 

 

 

RATING:  

 

4 (3.7) ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads  

 

4 (3.7) ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub  

 

4 (3.7) ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html) 

NOTE: Like the author, I love Dr. Pepper as well. Then again, I was born in the DFW Metroplex in Texas! 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Laura Barrow is a former music teacher, DR Pepper aficionado, and a lover of all things books. She received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Centenary College in northwest Louisiana, where she grew up. She writes emotional, character driven fiction that speaks to both the heartbreaking and joyful experiences of women. Her favorite movie is Steel Magnolias, so it only makes sense that her reading tastes echoes that of Truvy - “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” When not working on her next novel, she can be found sweating it out on a tennis court or listening to a podcast in her car while running transportation service for one of her overscheduled kids. She now resides in northeast Texas, just outside Dallas, with her husband, her husband, three daughters, an angsty cat, and a spoiled labradoodle named Teddy. Learn more at: https://www.laurabarrowauthor.com/. 

 

You can find also find her on Instagram: 

 

http://instagram.com/laura.barrow.writer/ 

 

 

 

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