Gloria Candelori married at age sixteen while early in the stages of pregnancy. After having three additional children, she was expected to raise the children largely on her own. Her husband was an unreliable supporter or even presence in the home. With fortitude, she survived this relationship for twenty-one years before divorcing. This experience helped her develop a strong backbone. During these challenging years, Gloria began acquiring female friends who would eventually become life-long friends and supporters. They too often faced similar domestic and relationship challenges. Later, the batch would confront the hardships of life: the death of parents, illnesses effecting children or grandchildren, and illnesses among the group of friends. They came to see themselves much like the TV series "The Golden Girls." They always stood by each other and faced fears with laughter when possible.

Gloria's autobiographical story sheds light on the role of women in the 1960s and 1970s. Marrying at a relatively young age but still being expected to do it all on her own feels daunting. Sticking by a husband who drank and had affairs rather than seeing to his family took strength and tolerance. It's a relationship which feels like it would end much more quickly now. Moving forward in life to a new partnership with Tom who treated her much more kindly is vindicating. The reader wants Gloria to find a more gratifying love and support system both for herself and her children.

Among her "Golden Girl" friends, Gloria becomes the Blanche of the group. Maintaining her sex appeal and attractiveness as well as a spicy attitude definitely mirrors the show. Focusing on family or female relationships over the males who often drift in and out of the narrative does as well. It's clear this support network is crucial for the life-long friends who will be there until the end.

The memoir has great potential to entice readers who lived through the same time frame and encountered similar domestic challenges. It would definitely provide good book club discussion fodder. The stream-of-consciousness non-linear narrative can be challenging. The time stamp of events jumps around quite freely leading to some events feeling uncertain in setting. The book would also benefit from an additional polishing round with many typos. In its current state, it presents as a "friends and family" memoir over a professional memoir. The narrative content is there and perhaps with a revision it will experience increased appeal to a wider audience.