Finding Zelda

Zelda Bowen Novels, Book 1

By: Sue Ann Jaffarian

Narrated by: Carrie Coello

Zelda Bowen was the glue in her dysfunctional family, but who was holding her together?

When Bill Bowen ran off with a woman from his office, leaving no word of his whereabouts, he left his family reeling and angry. As always, Zelda, the middle of his three adult daughters, stepped in to keep the family functioning. It was something she was used to doing during her parents’ rocky marriage.

As Zelda puts her dreams and plans on hold to keep her crazy family going, her own life crumbles around her. Heaped on top are the family secrets she uncovers. Feeling trapped by her family and her own circumstances, it takes her irascible and snarky grandfather to show her the way out.

©2019 Sue Ann Jaffarian (P)2020 Sue Ann Jaffarian

GREAT READ!

I loved it! This book caught my attention from the very beginning and held it throughout the entire book. The narration was outstanding! It will keep you entertained! The author did an amazing job with the character builds and plot! This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last! I look forward to reading more of her books! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Finding Zelda

The title Finding Zelda was perfect for this book. The main character, Zelda, allows her family to take advantage of her and she goes along for the sake of keeping the peace.

The story begins with Zelda’s father abandoning the family and her losing her job and her home all within a short time. We are able to watch her personal growth as she road trips with her cranky, but endearing, granfather. As the relationship between the two of them grows, so does Zelda’s realization of what she wants out of life.

This was my first book by this author but it won’t be the last. Sue Ann Jaffarian did a wonderful job taking us Zelda’s journey of self discovery and narrator Carrie Coello truly brings the characters to life.

I was given this audio book at my request and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion in this review.

Finding Zelda

Zelda is the one who always seems to hold things together for her family, even if that means giving up her hopes and dreams. As everything around her begins to crumble, she gets some well needed encouragement from an unlikely source.

Sue Ann Jaffarian has written a wonderful story dealing with family dynamics and being true to yourself. I love the moments of humor mixed in with the drama.

Carrie Coello’s performance was well done. Her portrayal of Zelda fit perfectly.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

A hoppin good time!

Okay so the pun is a little cheesy... :)

Zelda Bowen is the glue that holds her family together, but her life is turned upside down with the sudden departure of her Father. Her older sister is a perfectionist and her younger sister is ditsy but sweet - coupled with their pot smokin mom - getting them all on the same page can be like hearding cats.

Throughout the year she is faced with one catastrophe after another including a flaming hot bunny suit, a love interest (or two), a sudden change in circumstance, and an ambush road trip with the family Patriarch. She learns a lot during that year about secrets and family but most importantly she ends up finding herself.

I, for one, can't wait to hear about Zelda's next adventure!

Very Enjoyable

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.

This book centers on the MC Zelda trying to find her way after she experiences two life crises at the same time - loss of her job and her father abandoning her mother. This is well-written with some good humor and realistic family situations. What I enjoyed most was the heartwarming relationship Zelda creates with her grandfather during their road trip - I wish even more time had been spent on that. I will certainly look for other stories written by this author.

The narrator, Carrie Coello, did a very good job. The voice she created for Pops [Zelda's grandfather], in particular, was very good and fitting to the character.

Family Drama Series

This was my first Sue Ann Jaffarian's book. This is the first book in the Zelda Bowen Series, a family drama. This is a great start to the Series. Zelda is an interesting character. Throughout her journey, Zelda learns more about herself, and her dysfunctional family. The relationship between Zelda and her grandfather is amazing. Looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series. Carrie Coello did a good job with the narration. #AudiobookUnleashed

Finding Zelda

I totally enjoyed this book.Zelda is one of three sisters whos father leaves the family when she is an adult.He just up and leaves.This tells how she goes from having a job to having a life and all her adventures in between. Excellent narration by Carrie Coello.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Another Great Jaffarian Character

Sue Ann Jaffarian has come up with yet another strong leading lady in this first book of a new series for fans of her other works. And new readers too!

Zelda is the glue that (sometimes) holds her extremely dysfunctional family together in this fun story. Her two married sisters, pot-smoking mother, estranged father, elderly grandfather, and oh yes - a long-time neighbor and childhood friend who has turned into a handsome lawyer all keep Zelda busy with their issues at the same time she tries to analyze her own life after a couple of devastating losses. As is often the case in life, helping her loved ones deal with their problems gives her direction for making some new choices in her own life.

The audiobook reader/voice does a fairly good job of creating some different voices for the characters, but I felt the one she used for Pops, the grandfather, was particularly distinctive and fitting to the character.

A reader and fan of Jaffarian’s Odelia Grey mysteries, I was excited to “read” this first in a new Zelda series. Plus, Zelda finds herself living a new lifestyle similar to mine! Vans rule!

Fun first book of new series for Sue Ann Jaffarian

This story is about a young-ish woman who is in a period of transition. She's trying to make her own path in the world, but she's bogged down by her perceived responsibilities for her dysfunctional family. I originally became familiar with Ms. Jaffarian through her Odelia Grey series - campy mysteries, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Finding Zelda was written in the same spirit with irreverent characters and surprise plot twists. There were a couple of silly jokes that made me actually laugh out loud, but I won't mention them here, as not to give them away. Another highlight of the book is the relationship between the main character and her grandfather. It's a fun light read. Entertaining. Good to listen to when doing household chores like dishes and laundry. I will be looking forward to the second book to see how she further develops Zelda's character.

fun listen

love hearing this during my daily commute. actually excited to go to work so I could hear more of Zelda and her crazy family