Walking on Trampolines

Walking on Trampolines

Frances Whiting

Genre: Fiction

Summary (from Goodreads): Praised as “a tender exploration of friendship, families, and first love” (Liane Moriarty, New York Times bestselling author of The Husband’s Secret), this coming-of-age novel from bestselling author Frances Whiting is equal parts heartwarming, accessible, and thought provoking.

“Tallulah de Longland,” she said slowly, letting all the Ls in my name loll about lazily in her mouth before passing judgment. “That,” she announced, “is a serious glamorgeous name.”

From the day Annabelle Andrews sashays into her classroom, Tallulah ‘Lulu’ de Longland is bewitched: by Annabelle, by her family, and by their sprawling, crumbling house tumbling down to the river.

Their unlikely friendship intensifies through a secret language where they share confidences about their unusual mothers, first loves, and growing up in the small coastal town of Juniper Bay. But the euphoria of youth rarely lasts, and the implosion that destroys their friendship leaves lasting scars and a legacy of self-doubt that haunts Lulu into adulthood.

Years later, Lulu is presented with a choice: remain the perpetual good girl who misses out, or finally step out from the shadows and do something extraordinary. And possibly unforgivable…

It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce.
 
Review:  I'm not sure where the name of this book came from; as far as I can remember, trampolines were not mentioned a single time in the book. Unlike the summary given above, the book focused primarily on the adult life of Lulu and the struggles she faces in her relationships.  In fact, the book is really less about her friendship with Annabelle and her terrible mistake than it is about her life in general and her relationships with her family and friends.  I started this review 10 days ago, giving it 4.5 stars, but I have downgraded it to only 4 stars because it hasn't stuck in my head as much as I would expect from a really fantastic book.

Lulu was a likable character who made an (uncharacteristic) terrible mistake, but was a completely relatable and well-drawn woman.  I especially enjoyed reading about her quirky friendships, especially with her boss.   And I always am happy to read books about characters who undergo interesting personal transformations.

Rating: 4 stars