The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
A Good Morning America Buzz Pick * A Marie Claire Book Club Pick for April * A Reader's Digest Book Club Pick for April * A LibraryReads Pick * One of Southern Living's Most Anticipated 2023 Releases * One of Today's Most Anticipated 2023 Releases
An unforgettable pairing of a college dropout and an eighty-four-year-old woman on the run from the law in this story full of tremendous heart, humor, and wit from the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.
One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon. Bottom line: Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.
The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?
Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.
An unforgettable pairing of a college dropout and an eighty-four-year-old woman on the run from the law in this story full of tremendous heart, humor, and wit from the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island.
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for an elderly woman falls into her lap, she takes it.
One slip on the rug. That’s all it took for Louise Wilt’s daughter to demand that Louise have a full-time nanny living with her. Never mind that she can still walk fine, finish her daily crossword puzzle, and pour the two fingers of vodka she drinks every afternoon. Bottom line: Louise wants a caretaker even less than Tanner wants to be one.
The two start off their living arrangement happily ignoring each other until Tanner starts to notice things—weird things. Like, why does Louise keep her garden shed locked up tighter than a prison? And why is the local news fixated on the suspect of one of the biggest jewelry heists in American history who looks eerily like Louise? And why does Louise suddenly appear in her room, with a packed bag at 1 a.m. insisting that they leave town immediately?
Thus begins the story of a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman and an aimless young woman who—if they can outrun the mistakes of their past—might just have the greatest adventure of their lives.
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Community Reviews
I liked it! New topic and it was interesting and entertaining! It had the mystery but for the first time it was not revolving a man and I loved that!
Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride of sweatpants, vodka, and unexpected escapades because this tale of improbable companionship is like nothing you've ever read before.
First off, we meet Tanner Quimby, the epitome of ambition and drive... just kidding. She's a twenty-one-year-old who'd rather game than adult any day of the week. But hey, who needs responsibility when you can have Cheetos stains on your sweatpants?
Enter Louise Wilt, a vodka-sipping, crossword-puzzle-solving octogenarian who couldn't care less about needing a caregiver. Seriously, she's fine. Until her daughter decides otherwise, that is. Cue Tanner, the reluctant live-in nanny, who's not at all thrilled with the idea of taking care of an 80-something widow with a hip replacement.
What follows is a riveting saga of ignoring each other until they can't anymore. Tanner's keen observation skills kick in as she notices oddities like locked garden sheds and Louise's uncanny resemblance to a jewelry heist suspect. Just your average day in the life of a lazy gamer turned accidental detective.
But wait, there's more! Suddenly, Louise is packing bags at 1 a.m. and insisting they flee town. Because nothing says "girls' night out" like evading the law in the dead of night, am I right?
Oakley weaves a tale so tangled, you'll need a GPS to find your way out. Yet somehow, amidst the chaos, Tanner and Louise find themselves on the greatest adventure of their lives. It's like Thelma and Louise, but with fewer cliffs and more crossword puzzles.
In all seriousness, Oakley's writing is as sharp as Tanner's wit and as surprising as Louise's hidden secrets. You'll laugh, you'll gasp, and you'll probably spill your own vodka in shock. But most importantly, you'll find yourself rooting for this oddball duo to outrun their past mistakes and find redemption in the most unexpected places.
So grab your controller and your crossword puzzle, because this book is a sarcastically delightful romp through friendship, adventure, and the joys of avoiding responsibility at all costs. Five stars for the most entertaining escape from reality you'll ever experience.
First off, we meet Tanner Quimby, the epitome of ambition and drive... just kidding. She's a twenty-one-year-old who'd rather game than adult any day of the week. But hey, who needs responsibility when you can have Cheetos stains on your sweatpants?
Enter Louise Wilt, a vodka-sipping, crossword-puzzle-solving octogenarian who couldn't care less about needing a caregiver. Seriously, she's fine. Until her daughter decides otherwise, that is. Cue Tanner, the reluctant live-in nanny, who's not at all thrilled with the idea of taking care of an 80-something widow with a hip replacement.
What follows is a riveting saga of ignoring each other until they can't anymore. Tanner's keen observation skills kick in as she notices oddities like locked garden sheds and Louise's uncanny resemblance to a jewelry heist suspect. Just your average day in the life of a lazy gamer turned accidental detective.
But wait, there's more! Suddenly, Louise is packing bags at 1 a.m. and insisting they flee town. Because nothing says "girls' night out" like evading the law in the dead of night, am I right?
Oakley weaves a tale so tangled, you'll need a GPS to find your way out. Yet somehow, amidst the chaos, Tanner and Louise find themselves on the greatest adventure of their lives. It's like Thelma and Louise, but with fewer cliffs and more crossword puzzles.
In all seriousness, Oakley's writing is as sharp as Tanner's wit and as surprising as Louise's hidden secrets. You'll laugh, you'll gasp, and you'll probably spill your own vodka in shock. But most importantly, you'll find yourself rooting for this oddball duo to outrun their past mistakes and find redemption in the most unexpected places.
So grab your controller and your crossword puzzle, because this book is a sarcastically delightful romp through friendship, adventure, and the joys of avoiding responsibility at all costs. Five stars for the most entertaining escape from reality you'll ever experience.
5 stars | this was the most amazing book i have read in years. it's one of those novels you'll still think about weeks after finishing it. every character's personality, each of the plot twists, and nearly every snippet of dialogue was pure gold. i never wanted this book to end. tanner and louise have such an unforgettable, unique dynamic that anyone can adore.
Fun. Just pure fun. The story is a popular theme of opposites attract. Adventure on the road. Humor!
Take it on a trip or just read it to lighten your mental load. Well written and makes you laugh out loud.
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