A Kiss for Maggie Moore by Micki R. Pettit is a charming women’s novel that chronicles the adventures of three friends throughout their childhood and coming-of-age years in rural Wyoming. On one of their many childhood escapades, Bucky and Maggie meet Melinda, the elegant new girl at school. The trio forms a close friendship. Though only resembling a shack, their small and unstable clubhouse becomes their central meeting point. From spotting a figure that resembles a ghost and an almost tragic run-in with a bull, the friends are involved in many exciting childhood experiences. The novel also covers their young adult years, including their sometimes stormy dating experiences. The friends deal with more complex issues as they become adults.

When reading Micki R. Pettit’s delightful novel, A Kiss for Maggie Moore, I was drawn to its many eccentric characters, including the amusing Rebecca, who the friends initially mistake for a witch, and Maggie’s aunt, Mina, who can out-work and out-drink her husband. The adventures are more relatable and fascinating as the story is written in the first person. The story is centered on Maggie, whose descriptions and opinions are entertaining. Real historical events such as the Vietnam War, the development of The American Indian Movement, and The Civil Rights Movement contextualize the events in the story and make the characters’ experiences even more realistic. Pettit also does a great job of balancing the trio’s hilarious escapades and more serious topics as the friends approach adulthood. Told through intriguing characters and packed with absorbing twists and turns, A Kiss for Maggie Moore by Micki R. Pettit is a thrilling novel.

A Kiss for Maggie Moore by Micki R. Pettit is a beautiful story that began in the late 1960s. Bucky and Maggie were little children and bosom friends who lived in a tight-knit Wyoming community. As the community grew, Melinda joined the gang, and they became inseparable. While Maggie and Bucky had carefree personalities, Melinda was the model of perfection. However, there was one small secret; Bucky had Maggie’s heart, and Melinda had Bucky’s. Everyone was none the wiser. As they grew into teenage years, Maggie felt like the odd one out. She was the “less attractive” one, clown of the group, got less attention, and was uncertain about her future. But her love for Bucky grew stronger. Will she fight for love at the expense of lifelong friendship?

A Kiss for Maggie Moore by Micki R. Pettit is a fantastic page-turner recommended for anyone who needs an equal dose of laughter and feeling. This book explored healthy humor, sacrifice, mischief, loyalty, and heavy doses of nostalgia. The story was unique, realistic, and very engaging. I loved the plot, as it was brilliant and purposeful. Micki also developed unforgettable characters around a captivating story. I fell in love with all the actors, including the stuck-up Dr. Simms and the weird Rebecca. Maggie was my most favorite because she was a wonderful human but flawed and relatable. Also, Mrs. Elizabeth Bates wowed me with her strength and nature. She was a community matriarch and trailblazer. I laughed throughout the book, starting with the name of their club. Thank you for a beautiful story, Micki!