Get Cozy, Josey!

Susan May Warren has written a satisfying conclusion to her Josey Series. Get Cozy Josey is the third book set 5 years after the first book, Everything's Coming up Josey. In this final book, Chase has finished his project for a non-profit organization from Book 2 and Josey has been looking forward to returning to Gull Lake, Minnesota where they can enjoy the comforts of America. However, Chase surprises her with the opportunity to move to Siberia for another job. Josey now has to face roughing it in a country while raising her twin toddlers. I have read all of the various author's books, which varies from spy/thrillers, to westerns, to contemporary Christian fiction. They are all written well, but I have to say that her chick lit is my favorite, and I don't even like reading most chick lit. Josey is written with self-effacing sense of humor and is not mean-spirited even when she feels insecure. There are some unique insights that are delivered without being preachy, but are learned amidst her struggles to be a good mom, a supportive wife, and most of all a godly woman. Chase is written as loving, but a little bit clueless like many husbands I know in real life. I think I enjoy this series because the characters are people that I would want to have as friends. In fact, reading the book felt like an encouraging little visit with friends. I'm the kind of person who needs closure, so I'm glad she wrote this third book to tie up all the story lines.

If you haven't read the first two titles in this series, go immediately to your library and find them - Everything's Coming Up Josey, and Chill Out Josey. Ask for them to be sent through interlibrary loan if necessary. In this installment, Josey Anderson allows her lifelong best friend and husband, Chase to talk her into moving to Siberia with their three year old twins. They'd already spent four years in Moscow where Josey worked at an orphanage and Chase worked for a company that was trying to develop small businesses to improve Russia's economy. Now they were supposed to be returning home to Gull Lake, MN, but Josey realizes that no matter how much she wants to go home, her adventurous husband will never be happy helping her out her parents at the resort they own. So they head off to a small town in Far East Russia where Chase will spend the year studying the community in the hopes that the people's lives can be improved. While Chase is off at council meetings, checking trap lines and going along on hunts, Josie is adjusting to a life without running water while she attempts to make friends with her neighbor who she suspects is being abused by her husband. As usual, Susan May Warren delivers a book that is both funny and thought provoking. One of the things I like best about the Josey books, is the relationship between Josey and Chase. They've known each other since kindergarten and although they have their rough spots like any other married couple, the affection and deep love between them is well portrayed. Turns me into mush every time and after I finish the book I have to go back and read the best parts again before it goes on the shelf.