I just finished reading The Art of Crash Landing by Melissa DeCarlo for my book club. When my friend selected this book I thought it sounded interesting so was excited to start reading it. Since this is Melissa DeCarlo's debut novel I did not have any experience with her writing style, but really enjoyed the way she writes.

I have a hard time with books when I don't like the protagonist, and it's really hard to like Mattie, the main character, in this book. She's recently dumped, broke, pregnant, homeless, and extremely immature for someone in their 30's. She's selfish, uses people, and basically has no care for others. It's hard to like her, but I think that DeCarlo did a great job writing a character that most people will hate.

We learn that Mattie has lost her mother a few years earlier, but remains close with her step-father, Queeg, although his relationship with her mother ended. She seems to genuinely love Queeg, but still uses him when she needs money or a place to crash. When Queeg tells Mattie that her grandmother passed away, she heads from Florida to Gandy, Oklahoma to see what she left her. Mattie was not aware of a grandmother until Queeg told her this, yet she goes expecting to get a large inheritance. Gandy is a small town, and Mattie doesn't get what she expects.

Towards the end of the book we see Mattie's growth, but honestly she had nothing to do, but grow up. I found her unbearable at times. She was a complete user and had no care for others feelings. She does whatever it takes to get what she needs not caring who she hurts along the way. She ends up making some friends in Gandy and realizing that family is important.

In my opinion, Queeg is the best character in this book. He cares about Mattie and does what he can for her no matter what. He teaches her the meaning of family and loving them without her even realizing it. I think he is the character who mostly helps her to realize what a screw up she actually is.

There was a main part of this book that was a little out there or "icky" in my opinion. I know it was integral to why Mattie's mom left Gandy, but it was gross. I will not post spoilers so you'll need to read to figure out what I'm talking about.

I did like the writing a lot, and for DeCarlo to get me to keep reading even with how much I disliked her protagonist, then she's doing something right. It was an easy read and honestly I did want to know what would happen so there were times I didn't want to put it down. I will read her other books if the subject is interesting to me.