LOVE MERCY by Earlene Fowler

Earlene Fowler is known for her Benni Harper Mysteries with each book's title being the name of a quilt block pattern. This book takes place in the same setting near San Celina, CA; however, the main characters in the Benni Harper series are peripheral characters here and this is not a murder mystery. I would characterize it as a "coming of age" novel. Teenager, Rett (Loretta Lynn) Johnson hitchhikes from Kentucky to Love's house to escape a traitorous boyfriend, her sister's pregnancy and her dysfunctional mother. Love Mercy Johnson is still coping with grief a year after her husband's death. Melinda LeBlanc is a refugee from a tragic relationship gone wrong in Las Vegas. There are no easy solutions for their problems, but as the story progressed I came to care about them and the decisions they must make. I'm hoping for a sequel. JES