Review: Minding Frankie

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 295 (Ereader)

From GoodReads:

Baby Frankie is born into an unusual family. Her mother is desperate to find someone to take care of her child and she doesn't have much time. Noel doesn't seem to be the most promising of fathers but despite everything, he could well be Frankie's best hope. 
As for Lisa, she is prepared to give up everything for the man she loves; surely he's going to love her back? 
And Moira is having none of it. She knows what's right, and has the power to change the course of Frankie's life ...but Moira is hiding secrets of her own.

My Rating:

My Review:

Maeve Binchy takes us back into a close-knit neighborhood in Ireland.  Frankie is the center of the novel and we follow the many people who are in her life attempting to keep her home.  No problem is too large for this homey community and characters that are found in previous Maeve Binchy novels have a home in this one as well.

I enjoyed this novel although I thought it started off slow.  The tone is quite interesting.  There is a no-nonsensem tell it like it is feel to the story, which works because the reader then feels part of the community in an odd way.  I didn't identify with one character, but rather felt like a part of the neighborhood.  Maeve Binchy, I've found, is very good at this phenomenon.  If you've never read Maeve Binchy before, this isn't the one to start with.  You need to know who many of the characters are beforehand as most are making repeat appearances.  I didn't connect strongly with any one character and some even irritated me but the overall feel of the story is what made me enjoy the novel.  I wouldn't say it is her best, but it was good in a way that only she can write.

I've written a few Maeve Binchy reviews on here.  Any fans?  What do you think of this author?  Have you read Minding Frankie?  Thoughts?