Ruthie Deschutes O'Hara has Ulterior Motives
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A hilarious, touching story about love…at any age.
Ruthie Deschutes O’Hara is 70 years old. Her huge family, eccentric and rebellious, owns a popular tequila business in central Oregon, which they run off “the homestead."
A retired English teacher who loves books, Ruthie has been widowed for five years. Her beloved late husband and she used to watch a reality TV dating show called Marry Me, along with their dignified old dogs, curious cats, snorting pig, and scary rabbit who sometimes screams.
The “grooms” on Marry Me had the intellectual capabilities of grunting cavemen, according to Ruthie, as they dated the “brides,” and yet, the show was oddly entertaining.
But Ruthie has a big problem that needs to be solved in a creative way. She decides to do something daring. Something out of character. Something…outrageous.
She will become a contestant on a new Marry Me for seniors! She’ll compete for a groom, along with two dozen other “mature” brides.
She has no interest in the groom, that would be ridiculous. She’s not looking to fall in love again, that would be silly. Good heavens, she’s certainly not looking to wed the man, but if she was chosen for Marry Me, she could probably solve her perplexing problem. All would then be well again...
Ruthie Deschutes O’Hara has ulterior motives.
She is not going on Marry Me for the right reasons.
She is not prepared for what happens next.
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Freaking Hilarious. With Several Dusty Rooms. And Old People Sex. This is ultimately a romance novel, so it is no spoiler to note that the couple winds up together. But as the couple are both 70 yrs old... yep, old people sex. Though to be clear, "damn near erotica" isn't exactly Lamb's style, so we see them nude in bed together... and then we move on. For some, even this will be too much. For others, it won't be "spicy" enough. And yet for others, specifically those clamoring for more "elder tales" in romance... hey, here ya go. :D
But seriously, you're reading this as much for the hilarity as the romance, and it really is great in that department. Particularly the screaming rabbit that causes the pig to snort that startles the dog. :D And all the other creatures doing their things. :D And yes, Ruthie herself is one of those old grandma "firecrackers", as We Olden People used to (and still) say. She's 70 yrs old, and by God she's gonna say and do what she wants to say and do, and aint *nobody* gonna tell her any different.
But there are also several dusty rooms throughout this tale, enough to give the otherwise largely comedic tale a true heft of heart. I mean, Ruthie is 70 yrs old and human. Yes, she's suffered some losses - and we get to hear all about them, sometimes seeing them as flashbacks, always told in Lamb's whimsical humorous manner.
Add in perhaps a dash of "Sister don't miss when she aims her gun" (to quote the 70-years-old-next-year-as-I-write-this-review Reba McEntire), and this book really does have a bit of everything, at least in the real-world drama department.
Oh, and that there's quite a bit of "reality television" commentary thrown in (well within story) to boot? Chef's kiss.
Very much recommended.
Originally posted at bookanon.com.
