The Hat by C. S. Boyack

Lizzie is just trying to stay alive.  She's working two jobs to pay for her apartment.  She was staying with her grandmother but she had a stroke.  She moved into the apartment with a roommate who didn't stay.  And now her grandmother has died and her uncle is cleaning out her second hand shop.  She asks if she can have something to remember her grandmother by and he hands her a small item and tells her to leave.  She sneaks a box out of his truck and gets out of there...

The author and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published and you can buy a copy now.

This story really appealed to me.  When I was young, I'd look at people sitting on their porch by the river and wish I could trade places for a day.  That whimsical part of my mind loved this story.

What Lizzie finds is an old brown fedora in the box.  For fun, she tries it on.  It changes her life...

Imagine if you had a hat that could transport you to a safe place?  Or help you learn how to play a musical instrument?  Or help you recover a kidnapped baby?  Lizzie found all of that when she wore the hat.  The best part was that the hat could change shapes, textures and styles to match her outfit.  The hat was a bit insulted to find people didn't wear hats much anymore.  But he and Lizzie make a good team.

There's lots of action, the bad guys lose, and Lizzie's life has a new focus.  This was a very enjoyable read.  I'm rooting for Lizzie!