Good Karma audiobook

Great book and a huge surprise. So, it rained all through our summer vacation. I read everything I brought and was forced to turn to my wife’s pile. Understand that I'm the kind of guy that would rather stick thumbtacks into his knee caps than read a book labeled “women’s fiction.” But, WOW! It was a real surprise! Lovable (and laughable) characters; surprising twists of plot; folks like us coping with late-onset marital stress and among other pressures of aging. (I came to see disturbing signs of myself in the absurdly self-absorbed husband, who contributed zero at home. Feeling a bit guilty, I am working on mending my ways). A wonderful ending that will make even the most cynical curmudgeon well-up. (But don't tell the guys in my motorcycle group I said this....). Definitely recommend this!

Fun story about a couple that retires to a gated community in Savannah, Georgia. Catherine doesn't think Ralph appreciates her or their Boston Terrier Karma, and he seems to appreciate their young realtor with the low cut blouse a little too much. When Catherine meets the lovely widowed Fred and his Great Dane Sequoia, she feels a spark. Will she explore it or stay true to leaves-his-dishes-on-the-counter-Ralph? Quirky features include Catherine's friend Amity, a divorced English teacher who goes "creeping" into houses while people are on vacation to briefly live their lifestyles and water their forgotten houseplants.

In GOOD KARMA, a zany ensemble cast wrestles with retirement, loss, loneliness and love, not at an exotic (Marigold) hotel but at a gated golf community in Savannah. The fun begins early on at the community's dog park and lasts until the final pages of this novel, rich in hilarity and heart. As New Jersey transplants Catherine and Ralph settle into retirement, their childless marriage grows more colorless with every round of golf he plays and every wink he gives their brassy blonde realtor. Catherine soon discovers that what she wants is to matter—to someone other than Karma, her Boston terrier. Meanwhile, a few streets over, newly widowed Fred can't seem to get on with his life. He senses his wife's spirit everywhere, and his Great Dane, Sequoia, forever waiting at the sliding glass door, does too. Real life. Real people. But these characters have a comic edge. Catherine dresses her "baby," Karma, in colorful hats. Nostalgic Fred bemoans life with the "interweb." And there are totally outrageous characters too: Ida Blue Childs, a hefty pet psychic who wears a flowing caftan and Lady Danger lipstick even when sitting at home with Dr. Phil; Amity, a lonely woman who breaks into houses to "live other people's lives"; and Mr. Peabody, an alligator who is always lurking in one of the community's lagoons.It's Karma and Sequoia who bring disillusioned Catherine and romantic Fred together to see if love can really be lovelier the second time around. And it's GOOD KARMA—tender, hilarious and big-hearted—that will make Christina Kelly an author to remember and to thank for a sharp, sparkling read.

You don't have to be a dog lover to love this book. Karma and Sequoia will warm your heart, and Ida Blue will have you giggling throughout her story. But the most charming element of the novel is the growing relationship between Catherine and Fred, who exhibit that thrill of new love often attributed to teenagers, but actually emergent any time two soul mates meet. Open or download this one as soon as you can! It's due out this summer.

Loved this book! Christina's characters are funny and engaging. What a charming book to escape to and meet some quirky folks. Also, loved the Dog Park being part of the story.

How nice to read a well written novel about mature people who are facing change. Kelly is a terrific storyteller and has created a wonderful highly believable world in the gated community in Savannah. Catherine and Ralph thought they had the same expectations for retirement but those of us who have been there know how sometimes what we say and what we think and what reality becomes are different. Not bad, just a matter of adjustment. Fred is interesting too (no spoilers). Karma the dog- well- perhaps the most important character of all. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. I really enjoyed this. It's a little different but it made me laugh more than once even as I sympathized with EVERYONE (including Karma!).

This is a very long review, apologies. I really enjoyed this novel. Please read as far as you like.Christina Kelly’s Good Karma is a warm hearted and wise narrative that might be labeled a coming of age novel or bildungsroman for the (almost) geriatric set. It is funny, gentle, and insightful. It is Good Karma. Its characters evoke empathy and affection. There are a couple of them that I wish lived in my neighborhood. The main protagonists, Catherine and Fred (aptly named Wolfe, although he proves a gentle, sensitive, and insightful example of the breed) have both experienced losses. Fred’s loss is fairly recent; his wife of fifty years, Lissa has succumbed to cancer nine months before the narrative begins. Catherine’s loss is more protracted, more painful, and more dangerous. Her husband, Ralph began to drift farther and farther into the impenetrable (for Catherine) forest of his career, the vast wildernesses of golf courses, and smoke filled caverns of poker games. Most recently, since the novel’s inception, he has entered the labyrinths of flirtation, with Audrey the real estate agent, who has a cash register for a heart. Fred and Catherine have a “meet cute” moment fairly early in the narrative, at which Fred’s gallant female harlequin Great Dane recognizes Catherine as a new member of her and Fred’s family. As the novel progresses, Karma, Catherine’s Boston Terrier, slips comfortably into the nest being feathered by Fred and Catherine, woven from their memories, regrets and hopes. The rest, as they say is history. The audience follows these two empathetic characters through the minefields and missteps of rediscovering what matters in life and exploring the brave new world of their reawakening to each other and happiness. It’s no spoiler to tell you what happens next and how the novel ends. Reading Good Karma is not about surprise endings, but about enjoying the journey thither and its accompanying companions. The companions are remarkable. The positive characters are unique and appealing. Even the “villains,” Audrey Cunningham and Ralph have their comedy to recommend them. However, let us “accentuate the positive,” as Bing Crosby advised. First, among the empathetic is Ida Blue Childs, the self proclaimed pet psychic, who discovers (with Lissa’s help) that she does indeed posses the power. She builds her new life and prosperity on her connections to the animal world, her innate ability to nurture Karma and Sequoia who are drawn to her open garage as shelter from the storm. She saves Audrey, Ralph, Leona, Audrey’s spoiled, manic Shi Tzu, and the predatory Mr. Peabody with the expert markspersonship she learned as a child in the rural south. (Mr. Peabody is an alligator, which is ironically nurtured in the safety net of Seven Oaks secure, gated community. He is the resident serpent in the Eden of Seven Oaks. Even his name resonates with reference. Remember Mr. Peabody’s coal trail that hauled Muhlenberg’s Paradise away, not to mention the current threat of similar desecrations under the current presidential administration.) There is also Amity, the grieving divorcee, teacher of impeccable English, and self-proclaimed “creeper” who discovers that it as blessed to give as to receive nurturing. Her first recipient is Catherine, whom she initiates into the fine art of “creeping,” visiting temporarily uninhabited houses to live vicariously through their absent owners’ possessions. Ultimately, she is brought to a shopping center where an ungrammatical sign (of Sign) leads her to a new relationship with a sleepy puppy that still needs all his shots. There is Martha, Catherine’s more adventurous sister, who plays in a bocce league (Team Boccelism and Barack Obocce) and is gifted with venereal disease by one of her lovers. There are Danielle and Tommy, Rusty the security guard, and McSweeney Houdini, all of whom add charm and depth to the narrative. Most important though is Lissa, Fred’s recently deceased wife, a free spirit while alive and the spirit guide of the novel after her passing. Lissa brings Ida Blue encouragement and purpose that start Ida Blue on her road to a career and financial stability, if not fortune. Lissa and Fred have a running conversation that helps guide Fred though the minefields of his new relationship and the pitfalls of parenting their daughter and grand-parenting Tommy, their grandson. Although, truth be told, Fred has some very good instincts about what Catherine needs and is very good at acting on them, and he seems to find a natural fit as grandpa. Lissa is a hovering, redheaded (think fairy tales and sorcery, or more correctly sorcery-light) presence throughout the novel, an agent of the Fate that guides us all on the path to happiness and fulfillment. She is the ultimate Good Karma of the novel. There is much more to say about the novel: its connections to fairy tales, math, movies, and literature, its playfulness with language, its light touch with profundity and wisdom, its ironies and cosmic/comic touches (think black holes and tectonic plates), but the reader will discover these for himself/herself once she/he opens the book and begins the journey. Are there flaws? Well, if there are any, readers can discover them on their own.

A fun debut novel written by a friend about a retired couple’s new life and their dog Karma set near Savannah, Georgia.

This was a very sweet story. Several sympathetic characters. Susan Bowman summed it up well, with [comments from me]: "Good Karma was a sweet surprise. A fast-paced, fun read, complete with dogs. I usually veer away from books with characters described as quirky, but Catherine and Fred are endearing and genuine [and not that quirky compered to the other characters]. The book explores serious topics - aging, loneliness, retirement, grief and change with humor, grace and unexpected poignancy. This is a light read with a big heart, and a hopeful message."

I'd call this chick-lit except the characters are in the 60s and 70s. They are finding themselves after retirement, with empty nests and in new surroundings. With a cute dog on the cover, it won't surprise you that there is a dog park that centers the action. Contemplating retirement? this book will remind you that you need to have some structure and friends in that new phase of life.

This turned out to be a delightful novel about the residents of a Florida retirement community and their dogs. A bit of mystery, a bit of conflict, a bit of romance, and we learn the inner lives of these fascinating people. I enjoyed it a lot.

How refreshing to have a "romance" that features retired folks as the main characters!

This was a very fun read. There were interesting characters, plot twists and witty dialog. I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to be thoroughly amused for a few hours.

really cute NJ couple retires to GA- dog helps her meet man - husband drifts-

Enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the quirky characters. Also enjoyed the fact that they were older retired folks, the dogs and the setting. I would read this author again!

What I Loved About Good Karma:1) Multiple story lines include dogs;2) Characters are of or near retirement aged -- refreshing perspective!3) The "A Note From The Author" was a lovely and satisfying "P.S." to a book I hated to see end;4) The ghostly appearances and conversations threading the various story lines together provided a wonderful Karmic touch, and although I would have enjoyed more of it, the apparition's resolution ended in a satisfying manner;Favorite line: "I like to live other people's lives." (A writer's mantra if there ever was one.)Weaker Parts of the Book:1) A certain huallabaloo involving an alligator, a small dog, and various characters, some of whom I couldn't quite understand their role in the scene (McSweeny Houdini? Where was the security guard?)2) The first (perhaps only, now that I think about it) sex scene didn't feel right to me. It was actually painful to read parts of it. Are 50+ year olds typically this hormonally-charged? I wanted to love watching these two get together, but it was a surprisingly unconvincing connection.3) Including a "Reading Group Guide" at the end of the book seemed a bit of a stretch. I mean, I would love to be in a chick lit book club to discuss books like this. But would we need discussion questions spelled out for us? All in all, this book is an entertaining, refreshing read, full of cute dogs and eccentric characters along with some more down-to-earth ones, and at least one not-on-earth one! Highly recommend.