The Ladies’ Room, by Carolyn Brown

This gently paced book has a sweet story about someone changing her life around after overhearing a conversation in the ladies’ room.

Trudy’s Great-aunt Gert has passed away.  Trudy remembers spending pleasant summers with her cousins, Marty and Betsy, at her aunt’s house.  In more recent times, she recalls a few obligatory visits to the house now stuffed with knick knacks and a critical old woman.

Nature calls during Gert’s funeral.  While in one of the bathroom stalls, Trudy overhears Marty and Betsy talking about how Trudy is such a good, dependable person, “bless her heart,” — and how gullible she is in believing all is as it appears on the surface with her own family.  Trudy is shocked by the revelations and the fact that her cousins have done nothing to help her see the truth.

After the reading of the will, Trudy realizes it’s time for a change.

One of my favorite parts of the novel was when Trudy tells her new neighbor Billy Lee that she’s done with being nice.  “I’d rather have honest than nice,” she says.  And then she follows through without being mean.

I kept turning pages to see what would happen next — Trudy receives some good news, exacts some righteous revenge, makes a good friend, and finds a purpose in life.  The book will keep you entertained for a pleasant afternoon.

Check the WRL catalog for The Ladies’ Room