The Penny Tree

After separating from her husband, losing her job as a physical therapist and suffering from depression, Annie Hillman moves back to her hometown of Eagan's Point, Washington. She rents a small house for herself and her two boys and, at the urging of her mother, takes a job as a receptionist at the local funeral home. From there, Annie's life gets interesting. An anonymous admirer places a large ad in the local newspaper asking for information about Annie. The admirer says that Annie was his first love, and he regrets having lost her. Three more ads appear in the paper, and Annie soon becomes something of a local celebrity. It's a fame she could do without while she copes with a rambunctious son, who wants to live with his father and another son who's recovering from cancer and just wants to have a normal life. The Penny Tree shows us Annie's life in a series of flashbacks. As a child, she learns that she was adopted and doesn't handle it well. She has a good relationship with her adopted father, but then he is disabled in an automobile accident and eventually dies as a result of those injuries. We see how she met her husband, Jack and how their marriage eventually fell apart and how she coped with her son's cancer. All of these flashbacks tell a story of their own, and by the end of the book, we know Annie Hillman inside out. I can't say enough good things about this book. It is--hands down--the best book I've read in a long time. If I had to nail down Holly Kennedy's greatest talent, it would have to be her ability to speak to the individual reader. I felt as if she was writing this book for me, personally. The Penny Tree is an emotional ride through all of the highs and lows of life. But in the end, the reader will realize, as Annie does, that true happiness is comes from inside ourselves--not from others.

The Penny Tree (Nal Accent Novels) Blurb: Annie Hillman has been dangling from the end of her rope for so long, she's forgotten how to do more than hold on. Back in her small hometown, struggling with her older sons truancy and her younger sons medical bills, Annie finds her only refuge is the old Douglas fir that has been special to her since childhood when her father helped her nail a penny to the trunk. Then the oddest thing happens. The local newspaper carries a front-page ad with a picture of Annie and an earnest message of love and regret from an unknown admirer. Once again Holly Kennedy has written a gem. Of her three books this is my favorite. Ms. Kennedy writes a remarkable story of love, compassion, regret and most of all love. It speaks of things everyone can relate too. How the greatest gift we can give our children is love, and that a token of our never ending affection, something for them to call their own, to remember when life gets them down, is worth more than a lifetime of material gifts. The book tells how life takes us on a journey down a treacherous and bumpy road but those who brace themselves and hold on for the ride are the one's who prosper. Why? Because it doesn't matter if we fall down along the way, as long as we get back up. The message is clear, giving up isn't the answer. It may be a solution but NEVER the answer. I loved this story! I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't stop turning pages. AND the best thing of all it made me think. It made me reconsider certain things in my own life and that of my family. There is a twist in the book, and I must say, though I am usually good at figuring mysteries out, I totally missed this one! This book could easily be made into a movie. AND one day when the time is right, I hope to give my own children a Penny Tree. I give this book 5 ***** stars!!!!

This book was easy to read and easy to make you really care about the characters. What a great escape as you watch a normal Mom with normal problems with finances, kids, ect. I think the best part of the book for me was Annie's understanding of her own parents. Forgiving them for their faults and loving them through it. Also the mother and son relationship was very real and touching. As a mother of son's those can be the hardest relationships to have. This is a great read for any day.

I cried just hearing the story line of this book. You will love it. I'll bet you a box of kleenex on it!

I have been anxiously awaiting Holly's second book. What a great read and a terrific premise! The characterization is so well rendered (I loved the mother!) and anyone who has had teenage boys will see the authenticity in Holly's portrayal. The ending is well worth the box of tissue used! Highly recommended!