17-year-old Mercy Kaplan wants one thing – to be free of the drudgery and repetitious work of her life as the oldest daughter of a sharecropper. Too soon, she gets her wish – in a horrible and tragic way, as the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 sweeps through her little Texas town and deprives her of nearly everyone she loves. But Mercy’s not the only victim of great tragedy. Can she build her life all over again with handsome Daniel Wilder and his young brother and sister? If she does, she’ll face that repetitious work all over again…Easy read, sort of gothic/ romantic tale, 271 pp. ( )

16 year old Mercy Kaplan is tired of her life. She does the same thing everyday , cleaning up after her family. She wants to be free from her never ending list of chores , and she does not want to get married. One day Mercy 's Father announces that she is to leave home to work for the Bonners , an old couple who Mercy grows fond of. Then the unexpected happens. A influenza is raging across the country side leaving mercy alone and broke , after the sickness takes her family. After having to leave the Bonners Mercy finds work in town for Mrs. Wilder , a strange but sweet woman with secrets of her own. Mercy works for Mrs. Wilder as the Nanny , and soon Christmas rolls around and the Wilders meet an Unexpected guest. Under unfortunate circumstances Mercy Kaplan has to leave yet again the ones she loves The Goodbye season , is written by Marian Hale , is a heart-warming book about love, loss and the strength to go on. Mercy Kaplan had strength when she had nothing. Hope when there was no hope. Though this book was sad it still had the charm that made you want to read more. Even though the ending of the book was a cliff-hanger , which sort of frustrated me , it was still very well written. I felt this book deserved a 5 star rating , it certainly lived up to my expectations. I highly recommend ' The goodbye season ' to those who love a good book. ( )

y/fic10; historical fiction; Texas; death; religion; family