Now available
Boop and Eve’s Road Trip
Fiction
Decades ago, Boop left her hometown and its constant reminders of a shameful secret that still haunts her. But now, her sister Vicky is using that same secret to strongarm Boop into a visit. While Boop reckons she’s better off facing Vicky than hiding from her, her torn rotator cuff makes a long drive impossible. So, when Boop’s granddaughter, Eve, asks to borrow her car for a road trip, Boop is happy to oblige–as long Eve takes her to see Vicky along the way.
Recently, Boop has noticed signs of depression in Eve. The road trip provides the perfect opportunity to help before Eve goes home to her steamroller of a mother for the summer. Boop knows from experience that healing Eve will require more than flirting lessons and a Garlic Festival makeover. Nevertheless, Boop is frustrated when her feeble efforts yield the same failure that her sulfur-laced sip from the Fountain of Youth wrought on her age.
Boop suspects that sharing her secret might lessen Eve’s growing depression, but she also fears that if she reveals it, she’ll lose her family and her own hard-won happiness.
Boop and Eve’s journey through the American South is an unforgettable love story between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
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Awards & Endorsements
2021 Finalist
Eric Hoffer Award
2020 Winner
in Coming of Age Category
2021 Finalist
The Montaigne Medal
Best Opening Sentence
Best Author Newsletter
Boop and Eve’s Road Trip will touch your heart. A beautiful and emotional story of sisterhood, family, and friendship. From the first page, Mary Helen Sheriff’s lush and lyrical writing draws you in. Fans of Patti Callahan Henry and Kristy Woodson Harvey will adore this debut.”
…a heartwarming trek through the South as grandmother and granddaughter uncover secrets held for generations as well as confront family issues, all while having a little fun…A touching intergenerational romp…”
Boop and Eve’s Road Trip is warm, witty, and wise, with characters I loved, and characters I loved to hate. Filled with twists and turns, and many a bump in the road, this trip is a delight from beginning to end.”
Debut author, Mary Helen Sheriff, has woven a contemporary, heart-warming saga about women for women. Peppered with surprises and humor, her story follows three generations of a dysfunctional family through their hurt, anger, and regret and toward reconciliation and hope.”
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An Excerpt…
Then the telephone rang. It was only seven in the morning. No one rang with good news at that time of day.
Boop dodged around towers of boxes to answer the phone. She was worried the call had something to do with Eve. Girl hadn’t seemed at all right yesterday.
“Hello?”
“Betty . . . how are you?” Only one person called her Betty. Boop’s good day was shot to hell in a handbasket.
“In the feather, Vicky. In the feather.” Boop’s sister fancied herself a lady and insisted that she be addressed as Victoria by her intimates and Mrs. Victoria to the rest of the world. Boop was of the opinion that her sister was too big for her crisp linen britches and reminded her of this by persistently calling her Vicky.
“Mmhmm . . . yes,” Vicky said.
Boop could practically hear her biting her tongue. Was she a terrible person for wishing she’d draw blood?
Vicky continued, “I haven’t seen you and your sweet granddaughter in a month of Sundays. I’d hoped that Eve might drive you up to Savannah to visit me occasionally.”
“Those college kids are busier than mustard trying to ketchup.”
“I suppose. However, the semester is ending, and my guest bedrooms are aching for some company. Might y’all come for a spell soon?” Boop took a deep breath, attempting to inhale calm but really just inhaling the aroma of her coffee. She massaged the handle of her red coffee cup.
“I don’t reckon so. Thank you kindly.” The grits were getting cold, so Boop took a bite, making sure to smack her lips. Listening to her eat was sure to drive Vicky batty, but that was just a bonus. Boop was hungry, or at least that was what she told herself.
“Now then, what’s more important than family?”
“Really, Vicky—” Boop felt a headache coming on, so she yanked the plastic rollers from her hair, hoping to relieve the pressure a bit. Only their absence didn’t do anything to quell Vicky’s nagging voice. Her dulcet tone was like an electric drill grinding in Boop’s ear.
“Really, nothing. We aren’t getting any younger,” Vicky said.
Boop glared at her knobby hands with their protruding blue veins, liver spots, and wrinkles. Oh, the wrinkles! Boop sometimes imagined she even smelled of decay, or maybe it wasn’t her imagination. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “Maybe you ain’t, but I’m right spritely.” Spritely like swamp mud.
“Mmhmm. I’m not sure your shoulder would agree.”
“Aw, now.” Boop stuck her tongue out at the phone.”