Berry has written another thought provoking and entertaining novel. She takes a story about ordinary people and teaches us a lesson on love and the power of the heart. It has rich characters,such as the librarian, the heavy girl, the crossing guard and the bookstore owners (real people). The novel is written in a folksy style with folksy wisdom. I enjoyed the connection between Louella and the spirit of her mother, aunt and grandmother.

At points the story turned to sexually explicit scenes. But the book, for all its sexual content, isn't really about sex, but about how cultivating a spiritual life improves not only sexual experience and love, but all aspects of human existence. The writing of Berry is reminiscent of authors J. California Cooper and Tina Ansa McElroy and a welcomed shift from the urban literature and drama filled fiction.

The story tends to drag towards the end and yet, Berry delivers a powerful message at the end. ( )