4.25 stars

A story about forgiveness and moving forward. Twenty-two year old Violet has been released from prison two years after being convicted of manslaughter. She was driving while under the influence and killed a local adored kindergarten teacher. During her prison sentence, she participated in volunteer Harriet's book club.

Harriet is an older widow who is giving back to her community through the prison book club. After Violet's release, she runs into Violet at the local bookstore. 

Frank is the husband of the woman Violet killed. He was helping out the bookstore with handyman tasks when he sees Violet. Harriet's role is a friend to both Violet and Frank as they work through their feelings. 

I was surprised how much of this novel is NOT about books. Violet ends up getting her first job post-prison at a bird laboratory studying gray parrots through Harriet's niece. That section of the book goes in some unanticipated places, especially given the title of this novel. The reader gets to learn about some very intelligent parrots named Ollie, Charlotte, and Alan. There's also a cringe-worthy romance plotline. 

The character Violet is easy to root for. That might have been my problem with this one. She makes some poor DECISIONS, but she has a heart of gold. After some tough stuff while she was growing up and a two-year stint in prison, she is surprisingly put together with no edge. I'm not sure how realistic that is. Ultimately, for me, this novel came across a bit too saccharine for the weighty issues the characters were dealing with.  

Frank doesn't really have much of a plotline, but his back story gave me EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER vibes.

This novel is set in Portland, Maine. A lot of the streets and sights talked about I went to this past summer when I stayed in Portland. I wish I had read this novel before I had gone, but it was still nice to have such a strong sense of place. 

All in all, this was a good read. Monica Wood doesn't disappoint!