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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Putnam for the digital galley of this book.
Merit’s husband is thrilled she wants to return to work after being a stay at home mom and artist with her two sons. And after a failed gallery show, Merit is glad to get an architecture job working for Jane, a bold, no nonsense (and beautiful) wan who Merit admires. The two quickly become friends and then best friends. Maybe even something more? Surely not. Surely preferring Jane’s company to every other person is normal for a friendship. Sure she’s attractive, but is Merit attracted to her? If she explores that question, it may send both of their lives spiraling out of the control of expected trajectories.
I loved this book. The characterization is phenomenal. I loved both Merit and Jane so much and I just wanted to spend time with them. Friends, lovers, whatever their relationship, I’m here for it. I loved the complexities and layers of the characters and their lives. Everything is intertwined as we build out lives as adults, and it’s not always about us or the things we really want. It’s not fair. It’s hard. And it’s so human.
This book is a romance, but it’s more of a Literary/Contemporary fiction piece than a genre book. It’s about two women and their lives, motivations, relationships, and the unfairness of the expectations of motherhood. I couldn’t put it down.
It’s out now wherever you get your print, digital, or audiobooks.
Like a House on Fire follows Merit, a woman who believed she had her ideal life as she takes a new position working for Jane at an architectural firm due to Merits husband's encouragement for her to return to work. This story was powerful, moving, and sad, with twists and surprises along the way. The book felt so real as you go along Merit's journey to find herself, making it more beautiful. The whole book delved deeply into themes of identity and the expectations we place on ourselves which even though the characters came across as extremely privileged at times or frustrating it made me still want to continue reading. The writing in this book was phenomenal! This book being Lauren McBrayer's debut novel makes me excited to see what she writes next!
Thank you to Lauren McBrayer, G.P. Putnam and Sons, and NetGalley for an ARC for exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Lauren McBrayer, G.P. Putnam and Sons, and NetGalley for an ARC for exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
What a ride of emotions this book took me on! Right from the first chapter I was pulled in and invested in knowing what was in store for our main character, Merit. There was such a relatability when reading her journey as a wife/mother and of her wanting to be more and working so hard to build her career. Another relatable path for Merit is the discovery of herself after realizing how lost she had become. This book takes us on the journey many don’t have the courage to take, which is being in a relationship and life you’ve gotten complacent in and questioning if it really is what you need/want to be happy. I at times was frustrated and annoyed with her, I was sad and mad for her, and throughout it all I was cheering her on. There was just something about the way Lauren McBrayer wrote that had me invested right away.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes