The Art of Crash Landing by Melissa DeCarlo

Hello, everyone! Today I'm a stop on the TLC book tour for Melissa DeCarlo's debut, The Art of Crash Landing.

It's not really a point of pride that Mattie manages to ruin her life in just under an hour. Although she does admit that it's something that's been years in coming. Pregnant, newly single, broke, and without anyone but her ex stepfather to call on, it comes as something of a surprise when Mattie learns that her maternal grandmother has died and left everything to the granddaughter she never met. 

Except that's not true either. The will listed Mattie's mother but since she's been dead for a while now that means Mattie is the sole inheritor. 

Her car just manages to make it to Gandy, Oklahoma where Mattie learns that her great windfall likely won't be the saving grace she needs. Though after the estate is settled (in about three months) and the debts are paid, word is there will be something left. Considering she's got nowhere else to go and no car to get there, Mattie cons her way into grandma Matilda's still in probate home and begins to learn a little about the family she never knew. Surprisingly, the mother Mattie grew up with is not the girl the people of Gandy remember. But Genie up and left one day without any explanation at all and now Mattie wonders why. Why did her mother abandon her home, her friends, and a college scholarship and how did she become the mess Mattie knew her to be?

First let me start off by saying that I'm pretty sure any time a character can pull off insulting someone by calling them a pork chop, with malice, they've won me over.

Mattie's story can probably be best described as a tragicomedy. It's at times quite heart wrenching, especially as Mattie contemplates the final years she shared with her mother. It's also quite hilarious. Mattie's snark is a survival tactic and a way to push people away but that doesn't mean it isn't worthy of more than a few giggles. And while her life is most definitely a mess - mostly of her own making - Mattie herself is not a lost cause.

The Art of Crash Landing is a feel good read if ever there was one. Sure, Mattie has to come to some really low lows in order to find herself, but you know from the start (or you hope from the start) that she can pull herself together. She holds onto a lot of animosity where her mother is concerned but as she learns Genie's real story, Mattie also begins to reevaluate her relationship with her mother. Hers is a journey of self discovery and, as is usually the case, it won't be easy. But, readers, take it from me when I say that joining her for the ride is worth it!

Rating: 5/5

To see more stops on the tour be sure to check out the official TLC tour page here.

For more on Melissa DeCarlo and her work you can visit her website here. You can also like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.