Living a privileged life on the shores of Newport, RI, sixteen-year-old Genevieve Lemaire has her future carefully planned. She will finish high school, graduate from college, and become a sought-after interior designer. Marriage, a husband, and children are not in the immediate plan.
However, it is the year 1940, and world events are about to take unexpected turns as they intertwine with Genevieve’s choices. Do her choices begin with her new neighbor, the handsome Nicky Reynolds, or is it the fateful encounter with Michael Austin? Either way, nothing and no one is going to stop Genevieve from fulfilling her dream.
In The Making of Genevieve, we learn about the events that shape Genevieve Austin into the narcissistic, ninety-four-year-old matriarch portrayed in Nine Days.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite – 5 Stars
The Making of Genevieve is a slice-of-life drama novel by Judy Lannon.
Bittersweet and heartbreaking, The Making of Genevieve is a riveting tale about overcoming the unexpected setbacks of life. Judy Lannon's absorbing narrative is character-driven, centered around three people whose paths are intrinsically intertwined due to the whims of fate. Lannon paces the story nicely, with the narrative switching back and forth between the past and present, offering readers a dynamic perspective into the character arcs. These characters are multi-faceted and well-realized. They have flaws and vulnerabilities like real people, and it makes their stories all the more compelling to the reader. Genevieve is a force of nature who simply refuses to allow anything or anyone to bring her down, no matter the circumstances. Despite her flaws, you can't help but admire her resilient spirit and iron-clad will to live life on her own terms. Overall, a brilliant novel that I would highly recommend.
