"The thing is, Peter, grown-ups don't know what they're doing any better than kids do. That's the truth."

If you're anything like me, you've got a running list of books to read on your phone. Mine is currently 89 books deep (not joking). Between family, work, and now grad school, some of the books stay put for a bit. When Jimmy Fallon put Ask Again, Yes on his 2019 Tonight Show Summer Reads, I knew I had to move it up closer to the top of my incredibly long list. And by golly, I'm glad I did!

Mary Beth Keane’s Ask Again, Yes begins in New York City during the 1970s. Rookie cops Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are newly-minted partners. Due to staffing shortages, there aren't enough cops to give both of them a veteran. The two have virtually nothing in common: Brian was born and raised in Queens, while Francis is a recent immigrant from Ireland. The two begin to bond over being in the same stages of life—newly engaged and looking to get out in the suburbs. As fate would have it, they end up becoming neighbors in the quiet town of Gillam, New York. It sounds like a great friendship's brewing, right?

Wrong. Couldn't be further from the truth. Anne Stanhope, a recent immigrant from Ireland, refuses to speak or interact with Lena Gleeson and her family (and now we got bad blood, hey!). Despite their parents' best efforts, Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope develop a close friendship, one that is tested repeatedly. When Peter's mom does something unthinkable to Kate's family, will their friendship be able to survive?

Ask Again, Yes is a solid read to wind down the summer season. Keane does a fabulous job of keeping you invested in Kate and Peter's story. She also delivers a powerful message of the power of forgiveness. While the book was a little long for my taste, it's worth it in the end. I’m sure Jimmy would offer up one of his famous hashtags on behalf of this book—maybe something along the lines of #WhyIRead.

Posted by Michelle