Critical Praise
"An excellent debut…a lovely story about the importance of friends and family-perfect for some light summer reading…This novel reminds you that you can't choose your family-but you can definitely make do with what you've been given. No matter who you are, you should be able to identify with at least one of the characters."
——NightsAndWeekends.com
"Celebrates the bonds between women, be they biological or social, based on family ties or friendship…The novel is hopeful about life, love, and relationships. RAISING HOPE shows us how life hurts, but also how it sparkles, amazes, dazzles. Most definitely recommended."
——BookishMarginalia.blogspot.com
"A charming first novel…RAISING HOPE is a delightful novel about mothers and daughters-and also about unconditional love. It proves that family can be anywhere and can be anyone."
——Armchair Interviews
"Katie Willard's characters sounded like old friends speaking to me as I read."
——Billie Letts, author of Where the Heart Is
"Endearing…a sweetly written, gentle novel that will be enjoyed by anyone interested in relationships."
——TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
"RAISING HOPE is sweetly told from the perspective of all four members of their cobbled-together household."
——Good Housekeeping
"RAISING HOPE does just that. A sweet, optimistic debut novel that promises more to look forward to from Katie Willard."
——Claire Cook, author of Must Love Dogs
"Katie Willard bundles into her novel friends who encourage each other to move out of their comfort zones; conflicted love between mothers and daughters; the angst of adolescence; and developing romance."
——BookLoons.com
"A must read!...RAISING HOPE is an exquisite garden, the beauty of which brought tears to my eyes. Each woman's past, weeds and all, provides the perfect nourishment for the fertile plot…A long time has passed since any author has delved so lovingly into the female psyche, and Ms. Willard has made the wait worthwhile."
——MyShelf.com
"Readers who appreciate a powerful, definitive look at what really makes a loving, caring family will appreciate this fine inspirational tale that should be required reading for the 'family values' snake oil peddlers."
——Blether.com
“A timeless tale of mothers and daughters…heartrending and heartwarming…enhanced by Willard's uncanny ability to cross generational lines, instilling all her characters with unique and believable voices.”
——Booklist
"Sparkles with wit, charm, and heart…a lively story about a quirky, cobbled-together family and the challenges and rewards of love."
——Ann Hood, author of Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine
