This is Where it Ends

About the Book This is Where It Ends

Award-Winning Author Pens a Unique Southern Tale in This is Where It Ends

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she’s kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more about her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they’re up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what’s really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

My Thoughts on This is Where It Ends

This is Where It Ends is a wonderful historical fiction novel that takes you to the back hills of Kentucky and holds you hostage.  I loved getting to meet Minerva Jane.  She’s quite the character.  From getting married at 14 to moving away from her family to strange men coming to meet her as she’s in her last year.

Minerva Jane is strong.  But she’s spent way too much time alone and she takes a bit to get used to having company again.   Once she lets one person in she finds herself letting more and more people into her inner circle.  I found myself wanting to meet Minerva myself or have a person like her in my life.  She’s got some wisdom she’s gained over her many years. 

But does she have gold like the young men think? 

One young man just wants the truth, he’s not interested in getting rich with gold.  But the other young man you’ll have to read to find out what he wants.  

I loved getting to meet all of the characters.  They were all so well done.  I can’t say that I loved them all because I did not.  There is one that I wanted to throttle for how he treated Minerva and one I wanted to give a swift kick and throw in jail.  Oh and the one “hussy” that you just wanted to have a chat with.  The rest were all good and gentle. 

The storyline was amazing.  I could not have loved it more.  Minerva Jane is now definitely one of my top characters of all time.  From my years of working in nursing homes, I can say that the descriptions of aging and dying were spot on.  If you’re squeamish about small violence and victimizing the elderly you might not love this book but the good outweighed the bad for me. 

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.