Mrs. Saint and the Defectives

A Novel

By: Julie Lawson Timmer

Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley

Critically acclaimed author Julie Lawson Timmer returns with a tale of how community can heal the brokenness in all of us.

Markie, a fortysomething divorcée who has suffered a humiliating and very public fall from marital, financial, and professional grace, moves, along with her teenage son, Jesse, to a new town, hoping to lick her wounds in private. But Markie and Jesse are unable to escape the attention of their new neighbor Mrs. Saint, an irascible, elderly New European woman who takes it upon herself, along with her ragtag group of "defectives," to identify and fix the flaws in those around her, whether they want her to or not.

What Markie doesn't realize is that Mrs. Saint has big plans for the divorcée's broken spirit. Soon, the quirky yet endearing woman recruits Markie to join her eccentric community, a world where both hidden truths and hope unite them. But when Mrs. Saint's own secrets threaten to unravel their fragile web of healing, it's up to Markie to mend these wounds and usher in a new era for the "defectives" - one full of second chances and happiness.

©2017 Julie Lawson Timmer (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Don't let the title throw you! Read this book.

Sometimes we find a book that really touches our souls. This one touched mine. It was not a romance, nor a thriller, not science fiction or fantasy. Family was the main theme while trying to make up for the past. Mrs. Saint and the Defectives is definitely a book I will read and listen to again. I definitely recommend this book.

I want to be a serial adopter when I grow up

Though the plot was pretty predictable, I didn't find it boring. I actually liked how the story unfolded, and even though I really wished certain things turned out differently, it was still a good story that showed how different people deal with depression and change and cutting ourselves off from the world around us. Lots of interesting characters and the dynamic that builds between them is wonderful.

Everybody should listen to this.

An entertaining, emotive, life lesson. Gives you pause for thought and self examination without recrimination or preaching. A happy, hopeful story.

Great story.

The characters are very relatable. I enjoyed the story it was a little hard to get into at first but then you find yourself in love and rooting for Marky. Mrs.Smith is fisty and loveable as well. It's a good heart warming story that reminds you there's a place for everyone.

Good read

I truly enjoyed this book. it was a change from what i normally read and I found it refreshing and funny. I would read more of her writing.