A Review of Leaving Unknown by Kerri Reichs

Leaving Unknown was a book I chose for no other reason than the blurb on the back sounded interesting. I had pegged this novel for a beach read, a decent-sounding chick lit story. It is in fact, just that.
Let me start by saying that I have absolutely no problem reading beachy chick lit. I love it, especially if I happen to be on summer vacation, or actually on the beach.
This was the engaging story of Maeve Connolly, a slightly neurotic twenty-something who can't seem to get past her consistent "bad luck". Maeve is scattered, always trying to seek something beyond her simple existence living in North Carolina. She has taken 7 1/2 years to graduate college, is in serious debt, lives with a foul-mouthed cockatiel named Oliver, and drives an ancient car she names Elsie.
Seemingly on a whim, she decides to drive across country to make a new life in LA. She has a "friend" that she can stay with so she sells all of her belongings to set out. Along the way, she breaks down a few times, but Elsie truly breaks just outside Unknown, Arizona. Maeve is forced to stay until her car can be fixed, but becomes enchanted with the people and the atmosphere. Without ruining the story, we learn that there is a lot more to Maeve than the bubbleheaded scatterbrain that she appears to be, and she becomes an entirely engaging character, right along with the others the author presents.
Honestly speaking, I found myself very irritated with Maeve in the beginning of the story. She was a likeable character, but her actions were so irresponsible that I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy her as the heroine of the story. However, it turned out that the author was skillfully hiding Maeve's true story as well as who she truly is, mostly because Maeve herself doesn't know. Events in Maeve's life have changed it's original course and honestly, although the author had quite a bit of hinting in the story, I didn't see it. But it was a pleasant surprise to find that this tale had more depth than expected.
The supporting characters in this story are quite colorful, if fanciful, but they lend an air of credibility to Maeve's escapades that would be somewhat difficult to swallow otherwise. There is one particular scene in which Maeve acts particularly heroically that while not out of character for her, is a bit far-fetched.
But the fanciful bits of this tale are what lends it its charm, and made it a fun, easy read. I would suggest it for those who like this type of fun, easy story to read on the beach, or really anywhere you want to be entertained.