I really enjoyed everything about this book. The characters felt well-thought-out and I was able to enjoy the quirkiness of the dialogue and relationships. The squirrels being a major plot point was both entertaining and delightful. I found this novel unique and look forward to reading Ms. McKenzie's further publications.

There were a few particular features of a story that really appealed to me. Veblen works as an admin clerk at a hospital, and does a bit of translating work on the side. Paul is a neurologist; he invented a devise that would help with brain trauma patients and is currently in trial stage with a huge Medical Corporation. The couple are preparing for their wedding but there are so many aspect of their personality and family they don’t know anything about. And should they find out will their engagement end?

Paul and Veblen are polar opposites; Veblen likes the simple low-key life and has a secret obsession with squirrels; where as Paul is career driven, loves the prospect of fame and fortune, and is looking forward to a fancy wedding and big house – and can’t understand why Veblen doesn’t share his excitement! Paul and Veblen have a family history of mental illness and disabilities and we see how it played on the couple as children growing up, how it’s influenced them in their adult life, what impact it had on past relationships and we see how their current partner – from an outsiders view –think of their soon to be in-laws.

These are the aspects of the story I liked, if only it didn’t try to be whimsical and just told the story as for what it is. Mind you I do like a whimsical tale from time to time but this just came across as disjointed and odd. I found myself skimming over parts when the narrations switched to the point of view of people/animals (squirrel or trainee doctor) that didn’t add any value to the story. And Paul would waffle on using a lot of medical terminology I didn’t know the meaning of and gave up looking them up after awhile.

I found Paul to be arrogant and so rude to his parents. Having a mentally disabled brother and being a neurologist, you would think that he would have some compassion and understanding for what his parents are going through. Even though his parents revealed a family secret that changed his opinion towards the end, I still could not justify his behaviour. Veblen is lovely, could’ve read a whole book with only her. She had her fair share of family problems and differences – and will have them for the rest of her life – but she was good decent person with a huge amount of respect and heart for her family.

The book had promise but sadly the delivery didn’t work out for me.

<i>Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for my review copy.</i>

A fun quirky book. Not what I was expecting at all, but enjoyable. Wish it had been a little shorter.

I just didn't get into this rather strange and confusing book. A full review will follow on http://www.bookbarmy.com