The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals by Becky Mandelbaum – 384 pages

ARC courtesy of Edelweis and Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest revew. 

Book Blurb:

It’s late 2016 when Ariel discovers that her mother Mona’s animal sanctuary in Western Kansas has not only been the target of anti-Semitic hate crimes—but that it’s also for sale, due to hidden financial ruin. Ariel, living a new life in progressive Lawrence, and estranged from her mother for six long years, knows she has to return to her childhood home—especially since her own past may have played a role in the attack on the sanctuary. Ariel expects tension, maybe even fury, but she doesn’t anticipate that her first love, a ranch hand named Gideon, will still be working at the Bright Side. Back in Lawrence, Ariel’s charming but hapless fiancé, Dex, grows paranoid about her sudden departure. After uncovering Mona’s address, he sets out to confront Ariel, but instead finds her grappling with the life she’s abandoned. Amid the reparations with her mother, it’s clear that Ariel is questioning the meaning of her life in Lawrence, and whether she belongs with Dex or with someone else, somewhere else.

My Review: 4 stars

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The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals was a gem of a book. This author has created a relatable and compelling story about human nature, animal behavior, guilt, second chances and our relationships with animals of all kinds. When a reader asks for something fresh or different, I’ll point them in the direction of this book.

The heart of the story is about a mother and daughter, each trying to be themselves and fill the voids in each of their own lives. These two women were magnificently drawn and I can completely picture them. Mother/daughter stories are always packed with emotion and this one is no different. The secondary characters were also convincing and worked well within the boundary of the storyline.

The farm setting was at times overwhelming. It came to life with such detail that I could smell the “cat piss” and hear the barking at “dog-town”. It was a place of refuge and generosity, for people and animals. I’m sure there are places like this dotted throughout the rural areas of our country, and I’m glad I was able visit this one in Kansas.

Like many great reads, a bit of romance was threaded through the pages. It was more of a love triangle than anything, but there was nothing hokey about it, and definitely not predictable. Through this triangle, all three grew to really understand not just want they wanted, but what they needed. It was well executed.

There are some liberal political leanings in the story, which may bother some folks, so I’m putting it out there.

Quotes I liked:

Like any force of nature – rain, fire, wind-too much love did more harm than good.”

“To Mona, Judaism had little to do with God and everything to do with her mother.”

“When you wear sweatpants, she’d one said to Ariel, your thoughts were sweatpants, too.”

“Mona, sorry is like a sponge. You can use it to clean up your messes, but the more you use it the dirtier it gets.”

“An animal with never hurt you as long as you knows you love it.”