The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick (2022)

 

What book lover could resist a title like this? The Messy Lives of Book People is a story of self-discovery with a bit of mystery on the side. The main character, Liv Green, cleans for a living and is thrilled when she is hired by her favorite author, the reclusive Esse Starling. Esse is responsible for creating the character Georgia Rory who Liv has loved and admired since the first installment of the series. Soon a tenuous friendship begins between the two.

When Esse dies suddenly, Liv is shocked to learn Esse’s last wishes were that her death be kept secret until a specific date six months in the future and that Liv finish writing the last Georgia Rory novel. Liv is someone of an expert on all things Georgia Rory, having read the books over and over. The chance to actually fulfill her dream to write is an opportunity Liz cannot pass up, even though it means lying to her family for the foreseeable future.

Liv, who has always been somewhat of a doormat, tackles the task by channeling Esse. She works in Esse’s penthouse, dresses in Esse’s clothes, and makes a point to get to know the people in Esse’s past. Liv is determined to find out what happened to turn the popular Esse into the demanding recluse she knew. Liv is sure that once she knows the secret, the remaining eight chapters of the manuscript will write themselves. While discovering the real Esse, Liz finds herself, as well as why Esse chose her to complete her legacy.

The first few chapters had me considering returning the book to the library, but I’m glad I continued reading.  It was worth the effort.

3.71 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon