Goodreads Synopsis:
Lizzie St. Laurent is dealing with many of the struggles of young life. She lost her grandmother, and her living arrangements. Her new roommate abandoned her, and she’s working multiple jobs just to keep her head above water.
She inherits an old hat from her grandmother’s estate, but it belonged to her grandfather. This is no ordinary hat, but a being from an alternate dimension. One with special powers.
Lizzie and the hat don’t exactly hit it off right away, but when her best friend’s newborn is kidnapped by a ring of baby traffickers, Lizzie turns to the hat for help. This leads her deep into her family history and a world she’s never known.
Lizzie gives up everything to rescue the babies. She loses her jobs, and may wind up in jail before it’s over. Along the way, she and the hat may have a new way of making ends meet.
Humorous and fun, The Hat is novella length. Wonderful escapism for an afternoon.
My Review:
I so enjoy reading anything written by C.S. Boyack. He has a talent for merging historical, supernatural, mystery and humorous genre elements in his writing. These elements are then woven into a seamless story that carries the reader late into the night saying, “Just one more chapter”.
The Hat is no exception to this. Think Thelma and Louise where Thelma is a landscaping waitress named Lizzie and Louise is a hat. It’s not just any kind of hat, however. It’s powers are magical, but also useful.
Told from the perspective of 20-something Lizzie, Boyack excels at telling the reader what she is experiencing with a sense of humor that masks underlying fluctuations between confidence and fear. Lizzie’s character is engaging, but so is that of the hat. Not since J.K. Rowling brought us the sorting hat in the Harry Potter series has a hat been so entertaining.
Boyack’s incarnation of the hat, however, has many talents. I won’t spoil the plot elements of the story here, but I will say, If you read this novella, you will not be disappointed by any aspect of it except that it is over so quickly.
Boyack mentions that Lizzie and her hat companion might be worth bringing back at the end of the book in his notes. I second that thought enthusiastically.
So, a tip of the cap to C.S. Boyack for The Hat. I truly believe that his work is on the verge of discovery from a much larger reader market.
“A tip of the cap.” Good one, Don.
I loved this story, too. It’s nice to see it getting such great reviews from everyone reading it.
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Thanks. It was a great read. I want to see Lizzie and the hat return.
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Me, too. Of course, I’m also lobbying for Clovis to make a reappearance, so…
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The comment option is upstream on Don’s blog. Thanks for all your support on this project. There is a small chance that The Hat and Clovis could return in the same story. It’s in the daydreaming phase right now.
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This book sounds amazing! It should be a hit!!
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Thank you, Darlene, and I certainly hope so.
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Agreed on both counts.
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Don, I dedicated this Saturday to reading, but the dogs wanted out and I decided to check all my various media. I’m so glad I stumbled across this post. Glad you enjoyed Lizzie and the hat, and excited that you felt compelled to post about this. I’ll share the post everywhere I can.
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My pleasure. The review also appears on Amazon and Goodreads. Congratulations on another great story.
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I saw it on Amazon, and that’s so helpful. I did not expect this post, so it was great to discover it.
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
I dedicated this Saturday to reading, now that my blog tour is over. I had to let the dogs out, and decided to check various social media while waiting on the pups. Look at what I found over at Don Massenzio’s place. I’m so excited.
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Truly well-deserved Mr. Boyack. Great read.
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Thanks again.
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Excellent review, Don. I think after I finish the Frank series (almost done) I will pull this one up the list.
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Thanks John. I’m glad you stuck with it. Hope you are enjoying it. This book (The Hat) is definitely one not to miss.
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Yes. I decided to do all three and then write the review.
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Thanks John.
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It will be ready whenever you are. Enjoy Frank first.
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😀
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I love the comparison Don made to Thelma and Louise. 🙂 The Hat is up next on my TBR list!
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You will enjoy this ‘buddy tale’.
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I appreciate it. Hope you enjoy it.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for sharing this.
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Thanks for sharing the post.
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What a cool concept. I laughed at the Thelma and Louise description
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It’s fairly accurate. It’s an unusual ‘buddy tale’.
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I’ve never seen Thelma & Louise, but if it’s a good description I’ll take it.
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Great review, Don. Sharing and adding The Hat to my TBR! 🙂
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I’m honored that you’re going to read it. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for sharing the post too.
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You won’t be disappointed.
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A great review, Don. I have this book and after I finish the two books I am committed to reviewing, this is next on my list.
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You will enjoy it.
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I’m excited. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
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A great review, Don. Craig has such an imaginative mind and an engaging knack for story-telling. I loved this one too.
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Thank you, Mae.
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Thanks. Reviews are easy when you are so entertained.
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Fantastic review, Don – I also like the Thelma and Louise comparison.
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His review blew me away. Guys like Don are golden.
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Aw shucks…maybe copper
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Thanks.
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