Genre/Themes: Women’s Fiction, Family/Forgiveness, Hippie Culture, Mothers and Daughters
Published: March 15, 2019
Pages: 228
🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊/5
My Review:
I stumbled onto this book and author when I happened to see a post on Instagram. One of the main goals of my blog is to support authors, especially authors who live in Southern California. When I found out that the author Alexa Kingaard lives in Carlsbad, I reached out and she was kind enough to send me a copy of her new title, My Name Is Rose.
The basic storyline is about Rose and her journey to become independent from her parents (Glory and River) and their commune lifestyle. She struggles trying to understand why her mother specifically would leave her well-off, comfortable lifestyle at the age of 18 and live off the grid. There is also a mystery surrounding her true paternity (think hippies and free love and the time period). As a child Rose hated her hand-me-downs and furniture from Goodwill. She grows up, and can’t wait to leave for college and the world that’s been “denied” her. As she matures and becomes a wife and mother herself, she becomes conflicted and wonders if maybe there was something to her parents choices.
I really enjoyed the author’s style of writing, it was polished and concise and I was invested in the characters. I loved reading about the bucolic life on the commune, the space to explore, the sense of accomplishment that comes from being self-sustaining. The relationships between Glory and River, Glory and Rose, Rose and Andrew were believable and heartfelt.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about human nature and family dynamics. I will remember this book the next time I make or smell homemade biscuits!
About the Author:
Alexa Kingaard was born in San Diego, CA and has lived most of her life in the area. She currently resides in Carlsbad and is the mother of a son and daughter who continue to be her biggest fans and cheerleaders.
Her debut novel, KEEP FOREVER, was inspired by her late ex-husband who battled the residual effects of the Vietnam War for decades after his return. The burden he brought home is shared by combat veterans of all conflicts, and her fictional account highlights the collateral damage encountered by family members and loved ones living with PTSD in their midst.
Her second novel, MY NAME IS ROSE, departs from her personal experiences and focuses on the collective memories of her generation. She loves writing about nostalgia and the human condition, the common denominator of our lives.
If you’re near San Diego, the author is doing several signings at the end of March. Check her website below for details.
QOTD: Have you ever wanted to live on a hippie commune? Why or why not?
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The OC Book Girl 
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