Another book I’ve had forever. I’ve not been sleeping so I’ve either been reading or listening to a book.

This captured my interest and I really enjoyed it.

I could sort of guess at some things, the three characters with their turn to speak was intriguing and interesting.

Love this authors writing and she comes up with some awesome characters and plots.

This book was frustrating. The characters were unlikeable, which is fine. But paired with the unlikable characters is an anti-climactic plot. It built up but just fizzled. There are multiple possibilities that would have made it more interesting to me.

[Even more frustrating is that Claire loses at everything. Her husband died. She is lied to and never learns the truth about his affair. She doesn't reunite with Tim. She literally lost in every way. (hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed Arranged, so maybe my expectations were just to high.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful story which encapsulates the complexity of the human experience. Enjoyed it a lot.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker Tish. Reeling from her loss, Claire must comfort her grieving son as well as contend with funeral arrangements, well-meaning family members, and the arrival of Jeff’s estranged brother, who was her ex-boyfriend. Tish volunteers to attend the funeral on her company’s behalf, but only she knows the true risk of inserting herself into the wreckage of Jeff’s life.

These sorts of stories need good characters to carry them. When everything is convoluted and involved, you need good, clear voices for the reader to keep everyone separate.

It took me a long time to work out the difference between Tish and Claire.

By the time I got there, I already hated both of them - for different reasons. Affairs, lies, self-preservation, whiny - all the traits that I don't like in fiction, or in real life.

By the end, I was counting the pages until the book was done.

That's not a good thing...


Paul
ARH