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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This might be a 4. I am not totally sure how to review it, to be honest. I thought it was really well written with excellent, believable character development of the protagonist. However, I didn’t think the portrayal of Cory was consistent, and there were many times that I thought it was hard to find the narrator’s choices justified. I am sure that’s the point—it’s a book about difficult (impossible) decisions—but sometimes her selfishness made it really hard to find her empathetic. I thought the last chapter was a really interesting and well-written approach to the ending.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but not as a blanket “must read” to everyone I know.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but not as a blanket “must read” to everyone I know.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
I did not finish this book. I got about 30% in and stopped because I couldn't read any more of Merit's whining about how crappy her life is. As a 38 yr old stay at home mom I thought I'd relate with Merit's feelings of being inadequate and being trapped in a life she isn't sure she's ready for (I don't feel trapped, but I know full well that full-time motherhood can be isolating and difficult). IN the bit that I read, Merit is immediately enamored with her new boss and seems to despise her husband. Now, he isn't perfect and is insensitive and doesn't help out around the home. She feels like he likes her better when she's working. However, she doesn't talk to Cory (the husband) about ANYTHING. She lies to him constantly about how she feels. Their marriage is falling apart because she refuses to be honest about what she needs and expects from him and it's beyond annoying.
Then there's Jane. From the jump, she's predatory and icky. Red flags all over the place. If Jane were a man, her actions wouldn't be sexy, they'd be considered gross. During Merit's interview, she sits on the desk in front of her. She's very familiar. Then, they are out day drinking and having long, luxurious lunches on company time. They casually text all the time. It's just weird. Jane's several years older and Merit's boss. Their power dynamic is therefore unequal and favors Jane, and she uses that.
As I said, I had to stop after 30% through. I couldn't read any further. I don't know how it ends, and honestly, I just don't care.
I did not finish this book. I got about 30% in and stopped because I couldn't read any more of Merit's whining about how crappy her life is. As a 38 yr old stay at home mom I thought I'd relate with Merit's feelings of being inadequate and being trapped in a life she isn't sure she's ready for (I don't feel trapped, but I know full well that full-time motherhood can be isolating and difficult). IN the bit that I read, Merit is immediately enamored with her new boss and seems to despise her husband. Now, he isn't perfect and is insensitive and doesn't help out around the home. She feels like he likes her better when she's working. However, she doesn't talk to Cory (the husband) about ANYTHING. She lies to him constantly about how she feels. Their marriage is falling apart because she refuses to be honest about what she needs and expects from him and it's beyond annoying.
Then there's Jane. From the jump, she's predatory and icky. Red flags all over the place. If Jane were a man, her actions wouldn't be sexy, they'd be considered gross. During Merit's interview, she sits on the desk in front of her. She's very familiar. Then, they are out day drinking and having long, luxurious lunches on company time. They casually text all the time. It's just weird. Jane's several years older and Merit's boss. Their power dynamic is therefore unequal and favors Jane, and she uses that.
As I said, I had to stop after 30% through. I couldn't read any further. I don't know how it ends, and honestly, I just don't care.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
pretty good. i didn’t love the mentions of religion/deconstruction because they felt too rushed and forced. they didn’t add anything to the story at all, they were just there. the ending was also rushed. otherwise i enjoyed it.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got frustrated at Merit so many times in this novel. At first I was a little on board with her side but my opinion of her dropped as it went on. Jane was a fine character but I genuinely never saw her as anything else than snarky and good because of Merit’s perspective. The nickname thing for Merit also came so out of left field and I think I was only added as sharp point for the next scene.
That is to say, I didn’t completely hate it. There were stuff that I agreed with and enjoyed. Merit’s opinions had merit. The motherhood stuff was interesting and awesome to read about in a book. I did feel emotions over the characters at the tense scenes and at the end until the epilogue, of course, that fixes it . It’s a fine novel with realistic stakes.
That is to say, I didn’t completely hate it. There were stuff that I agreed with and enjoyed. Merit’s opinions had merit. The motherhood stuff was interesting and awesome to read about in a book. I did feel emotions over the characters at the tense scenes and at the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was excellent! I got completely sucked into it and spent several summer afternoons on my porch, reading chapter after chapter over coffee ice cream.
And I don't even like age gaps or cheating.
But man, was this so relatable. Probably 99% of women in straight relationships have experienced a similar dynamic to Merit and Cory's relationship, where the man is just not pulling his weight at home and yet you're the bad guy for pointing it out, or your standards are too high and at least he takes out the trash once a week!! etc. Tale as old as time.
But for this particular tale, Merit answers the follow-up question that some may only idly ask: wouldn't it actually be better with another woman?
I will say that the story wavered here for me a bit. Merit clearly wasn't just tired of her husband - she was also tired of her messy home and the endless demands of motherhood, and her time with Jane was portrayed as a vacation away from all that. Which almost made it seem like it wasn't simply Jane that Merit was attracted to, but rather the freedom from her normal responsibilities. And... well, we'd all like to have fewer responsibilities, wouldn't we? So I couldn't help wondering, if Merit decided to leave Cory for Jane (no spoilers here), would that magic still be there when it was her week with the kids?
Overall, though, an enjoyable, compulsive read. And that epilogue! I had an inkling of where it would go and I'm happy to say I was right.
And I don't even like age gaps or cheating.
But man, was this so relatable. Probably 99% of women in straight relationships have experienced a similar dynamic to Merit and Cory's relationship, where the man is just not pulling his weight at home and yet you're the bad guy for pointing it out, or your standards are too high and at least he takes out the trash once a week!! etc. Tale as old as time.
But for this particular tale, Merit answers the follow-up question that some may only idly ask: wouldn't it actually be better with another woman?
I will say that the story wavered here for me a bit. Merit clearly wasn't just tired of her husband - she was also tired of her messy home and the endless demands of motherhood, and her time with Jane was portrayed as a vacation away from all that. Which almost made it seem like it wasn't simply Jane that Merit was attracted to, but rather the freedom from her normal responsibilities. And... well, we'd all like to have fewer responsibilities, wouldn't we? So I couldn't help wondering, if Merit decided to leave Cory for Jane (no spoilers here), would that magic still be there when it was her week with the kids?
Overall, though, an enjoyable, compulsive read. And that epilogue! I had an inkling of where it would go and I'm happy to say I was right.