Beth Hoffman made a splash with her first novel SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT and she is back with LOOKING FOR ME. The cover is too precious and knew I had to uncover the story within but it definitely was not what I expected.
LOOKING FOR ME is the story of Teddi Overman a girl from a remote Kentucky Farm that follows her dream and inner voice regarding antiques. But before Teddi makes her way to Charleston, South Carolina and the rest of her life we spend time with her growing up. She has a father whom she adores and who adores her right back; a mother that seems to be distant that she cannot seem to please and a sweet brother Josh who loved nature but never quite fits in to everyday life.
Even when Teddi heads to Charleston to pursue her dreams of antiques with grandma in tow she is still connected to her family and her dear home in Red River Gorge. I thought we were going to settle in for life in Charleston but that was not the case. Teddi’s current life is always taking her back to Kentucky either figuratively or in her memories through the entire book.
My favorite part of LOOKING FOR ME was Teddi and her connection to the antiques she comes into contact with. “Now and then it would happen, I’d touch an antique and feel a strange connection with the person who made it. My fingers would grasp the knobs as theirs once did, and a kind of alchemy occurred.”
There are a number of outstanding supporting characters of note: Olivia, her best friend; Albert her right hand and the irrepressible Inez that helps run the shop. I knew Olivia and I were going to get along fine when I read this: “Mirroring my passion for antiques was Olivia’s stron relationship with books. She devoured them and often read as many as five a week. She hunted them down, mended their wounds, and brought them back to life.”
I had the pleasure of reading and listening to this novel. I so enjoyed both and continued to alternate throughout our time together. LOOKING FOR ME was narrated by Jenna Lamia from Penguin Audio US and she cast such a light as Teddi. Although, I did not think her portrayal of the other characters was as strong.
poofbooks 
I loved this book, and I’ve heard the audio is perfect. I had the pleasure of meeting Beth this year…it was so awesome, she is as gracious and lovely as she is a gifted writer.
You know I think you might be responsible for me reading/listening to LOOKING FOR ME, so big thank you for that. It is not a genre I had embraced but between you and Beth I think I am hooked.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of my novel. I’m delighted that you enjoyed Teddi’s story and I’m grateful for your kind words!
Everything was just right, beautiful cover, wonderfully rich story I was not expecting and my favorite treats of Teddi and her objects. Thank you for taking the time to stop buy and leave this comment.