Book Review: Finding Colin Firth by Mia March

From the author of The Meryl Streep Movie Club, a “heart-warming, spirit-lifting read just in time for beach season” (Kirkus Reviews), comes a new novel about three women, connected in secret and surprising ways, who are in for a life-changing summer when rumor has it that actor Colin Firth is coming to their Maine town to film a movie. After losing her job and leaving her beloved husband, journalist Gemma Hendricks is sure that scoring an interview with Colin Firth will save her career and marriage. Yet a heart-tugging local story about women, family ties, love, and loss captures her heart— and changes everything. The story concerns Bea Crane, a floundering twenty-two-year-old who learns in a deathbed confession letter that she was adopted at birth. Bea is in Boothbay Harbor to surreptitiously observe her biological mother, Veronica Russo—something of a legend in town—who Bea might not be ready to meet after all. Veronica, a thirty-eight-year-old diner waitress famous for her “healing” pies, has come home to Maine to face her past. But when she’s hired as an extra on the bustling movie set, she wonders if she is hiding from the truth . . . and perhaps the opportunity of a real-life Mr. Darcy. These three women will discover more than they ever imagined in this coastal Maine town, buzzing with hopes of Colin Firth. Even the conjecture of his arrival inspires daydreams, amplifies complicated lives, and gives incentive to find their own romantic endings.

Finding Colin Firth 
by Mia March

I was on a Colin Firth kick a few months back when I was surfing Edelweiss for some new books, it was just chance I saw this title, and I’m so glad I was approved! This book follows what you would expect for something attached to the iconic name – a little Bridget Jones meets Love Actually and a little of everything in between!

The book follows 3 main characters – Bea, Gemma and Veronica – in a very Love Actually fashion. They’re lives are all entertwined in more ways than is immediately obvious. And the transition between the three stories is fantastic.

It opens with Bea, living in Boston, a year after her mothers death. She gets a letter from her deceased mother, a deathbed confession of sorts. See, Bea is adopted. Sure, she looked nothing like her parents, but there were reasons for  that – distant relatives, etc. But of course, now it’s obvious.

Meanwhile, Veronica has moved back to her hometown in Maine to face down the past that haunts her. When she was pregnant at 16 her parents abandoned her (even filing for her emmancipation for her) and her boyfriend denied the baby. She’d given her daughter up for adoption and headed for the nearest bus station to run from her past.

Gemma is pregnant, but not wanting the storybook life her husband has envisioned. She wants to have her career, stay in New York City and avoid her overbearing mother in law. She’s followed a friend to Boothbay Harbor Maine for a quick weekend, not expecting what she finds there.

Seriously, this story is fantastic. (Sure, Colin Firth doesn’t actually have much to do with it – aside from his name dropping – but that’s ok.) This is a sweet story about friendship, love, families. About finding what you want in the world. And there’s pie. Magic pie. And a hot local sherriff! (Who wouldn’t love this combination?)

This was my first venture into the world of Mia March, but I loved every moment of this book! My heart broke for Veronica and Gemma, I was cheering Bea on – hoping for the best outcome for everyone. All the while plotting a vacation to Maine! LOL! (Seriously – this book made me want to go. NOW!)

I would recommend Finding Colin Firth to readers who love a bit of magical realism in their stories.