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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Like a House on Fire is a lesbian romance novel, mostly. Merit, an architect and mother of two who is nearing forty, starts a new job and finds herself in a really intense friendship with her female boss. Eventually, that friendship grows into more, and Merit and Jane have a passionate affair.
I was initially going to give this book 4/5,, but after writing this review it feels more like a 3/5. This book is very readable and somewhat hard to put down. I really enjoyed Jane and Merit's relationship, but I was a little skeeved out by all the cheating and lying. It was a little frustrating that Merit's husband was SO unlikeable - it made it hard to understand why she wouldn't just leave him. I was most disappointed by the ending. The epilogue was a nice little fake out moment, but in order to create that, it seemed like the author just decided to skip over what otherwise would have been the climax of the conflict. I don't want to spoil anything, but I guess it just felt like it jumped forward way past what should have been the resolution of the book, and that left me unfulfilled.
I'm not sure why this is being marketed as a literary fiction novel and not romance. The characters are older and I guess there is some commentary on aging and motherhood, but mostly it's a romance and it's not particularly deep beyond that.
I was initially going to give this book 4/5,, but after writing this review it feels more like a 3/5. This book is very readable and somewhat hard to put down. I really enjoyed Jane and Merit's relationship, but I was a little skeeved out by all the cheating and lying. It was a little frustrating that Merit's husband was SO unlikeable - it made it hard to understand why she wouldn't just leave him. I was most disappointed by the ending. The epilogue was a nice little fake out moment, but in order to create that, it seemed like the author just decided to skip over what otherwise would have been the climax of the conflict. I don't want to spoil anything, but I guess it just felt like it jumped forward way past what should have been the resolution of the book, and that left me unfulfilled.
I'm not sure why this is being marketed as a literary fiction novel and not romance. The characters are older and I guess there is some commentary on aging and motherhood, but mostly it's a romance and it's not particularly deep beyond that.
3.75 stars! Did I binge read this book instead of work on (or start...) my 25 page paper? Absolutely. In my opinion this book had a stronger resemblance to a queer romance story rather than a work of fiction, but the way it ended was ... amazing.
Marriage is not easy, I think that's safe to claim. It's beautiful and messy and complex and at times ugly. Committing yourself to the same person for the remainder of your life is a big risk; the risk that you will grow an evolve at the same pace with that person over time does not always pay out. Some marriages can overcome that growth and evolution, and in other instances, the evolutions are too great.
Enter Lauren McBrayer's debut novel - and seriously I am still shocked that this is a debut! Our MC is twelve years into her marriage with her husband Cory, more or less going through the motions, when she ends her SAHM life of the past few years to return to the workplace. Her boss, Jane, and Merit quickly bond and build a friendship that supersedes their working relationship. Over the course of a few years, Merit's fondness for Jane grows from one of platonic admiration, to romantic interest. From here the reader embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Merit as she entertains her feelings on a quest to have more from her marriage, relationships, and life.
What I loved:
- This book was just so readable! McBrayer is a talent with words and wrote beautiful prose.
- Both of our leads were strong female characters, represented well by their assertion in the workplace as well as in life.
- The exploration into sexual identity later in life is one that is not written about very often, and one which I really appreciate. Not everyone is so lucky to "know" from an early age that they are queer, and it's so important to show these later-in-life discovery stories as well.
- McBayer writes complex relationships so well! I was engrossed in the dynamics of Merit and her husband (their marriage read so believably, and being inside Merit's mind reacting to the some of Cory's oblivious moments made me chuckle). The couples experienced so many of the same issues I think a lot of couples experience (miscarriage, the desire to have or not to have any more children).
- The self-discovery was paced so well. I enjoyed that we weren't just thrown into the romantic part of Merit and Jane's relationship but that it was built over and extended period of time. You really got to experience and grow the admiration and longing along with Merit.
- And we all know that I am a sucker for an untraditional HEA. Read the epilogue!!! Just beautifully done.
I would highly recommend this book! It would also make a terrific buddy or bookclub read. Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for and eARC and early release copy.
TW/CW - miscarriage, cheating, age gap
Enter Lauren McBrayer's debut novel - and seriously I am still shocked that this is a debut! Our MC is twelve years into her marriage with her husband Cory, more or less going through the motions, when she ends her SAHM life of the past few years to return to the workplace. Her boss, Jane, and Merit quickly bond and build a friendship that supersedes their working relationship. Over the course of a few years, Merit's fondness for Jane grows from one of platonic admiration, to romantic interest. From here the reader embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Merit as she entertains her feelings on a quest to have more from her marriage, relationships, and life.
What I loved:
- This book was just so readable! McBrayer is a talent with words and wrote beautiful prose.
- Both of our leads were strong female characters, represented well by their assertion in the workplace as well as in life.
- The exploration into sexual identity later in life is one that is not written about very often, and one which I really appreciate. Not everyone is so lucky to "know" from an early age that they are queer, and it's so important to show these later-in-life discovery stories as well.
- McBayer writes complex relationships so well! I was engrossed in the dynamics of Merit and her husband (their marriage read so believably, and being inside Merit's mind reacting to the some of Cory's oblivious moments made me chuckle). The couples experienced so many of the same issues I think a lot of couples experience (miscarriage, the desire to have or not to have any more children).
- The self-discovery was paced so well. I enjoyed that we weren't just thrown into the romantic part of Merit and Jane's relationship but that it was built over and extended period of time. You really got to experience and grow the admiration and longing along with Merit.
- And we all know that I am a sucker for an untraditional HEA. Read the epilogue!!! Just beautifully done.
I would highly recommend this book! It would also make a terrific buddy or bookclub read. Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for and eARC and early release copy.
TW/CW - miscarriage, cheating, age gap
Merit’s life has become rote after two kids and twelve years spent married to the same man. But she’s been feeling the urge to break free from her static life. She reenters the work force returning to her job as an architect where she meets Jane, a stunning and talented architect who is willing to hire someone after a long hiatus. Jane soon becomes a mesmerizing and beguiling force in Merit’s life and as they work long hours together, their friendship blossoms. Their connection is undeniable and Merit feels as though she’s truly able to be herself around Jane, or at least she feels as though she’s found a version of herself she has grown to love again. But could there be more to their friendship than something that’s strictly platonic? This novel has a lot of introspection and contemplation while also moving the plot along. It raises great questions about the ways in which we confine ourselves through our life choices and that women don’t need to be static in their lives. Thank you to NetGalley and to Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced review copy. To hear more about this and other books, listen to my book recommendation podcast, Books Are My People.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 5/5
Review:
Two woman architects? gay relationship? finding true love? Sign me up.
I was so excited to find this book because 1. I'm an architect major who loves seeing books about the main characters being architects, especially women, and 2. gay relationships. This book did not disappoint. While Merit was struggling to find who she was after having two kids and being a stay-at-home mom, she applies to work at an Architecture firm to make sure of the Bachelor's degree she got at Cornell. When she goes for an interview, she finds this riveting 60 yr old architect who goes by the name of Jane who she takes to an immediate liking, and the two hit it off. The story goes into how Merit got back on her feet and how her relationship or friendship with Jane developed and started to turn into something more. I loved how this story didn't rush their friendship or how they got involved, it made everything seem more real and exciting. Getting to see them develop feelings for each other slowly, but also tackles hard life lessons like Merit questioning if she should leave her husband, or questioning her validation as a mother of two. It was a bit heartbreaking seeing her struggle to want to be selfish and be with Jane, but also not wanting to break her family apart and separate from her husband. The author did an amazing job and telling this story and I just loved everything about it.
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review:
Two woman architects? gay relationship? finding true love? Sign me up.
I was so excited to find this book because 1. I'm an architect major who loves seeing books about the main characters being architects, especially women, and 2. gay relationships. This book did not disappoint. While Merit was struggling to find who she was after having two kids and being a stay-at-home mom, she applies to work at an Architecture firm to make sure of the Bachelor's degree she got at Cornell. When she goes for an interview, she finds this riveting 60 yr old architect who goes by the name of Jane who she takes to an immediate liking, and the two hit it off. The story goes into how Merit got back on her feet and how her relationship or friendship with Jane developed and started to turn into something more. I loved how this story didn't rush their friendship or how they got involved, it made everything seem more real and exciting. Getting to see them develop feelings for each other slowly, but also tackles hard life lessons like Merit questioning if she should leave her husband, or questioning her validation as a mother of two. It was a bit heartbreaking seeing her struggle to want to be selfish and be with Jane, but also not wanting to break her family apart and separate from her husband. The author did an amazing job and telling this story and I just loved everything about it.
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
It seems I’m in the minority for not loving this one. It was binge worthy and compelling, but I truly hated the main character and felt bad for her husband (which also seems to be an unpopular opinion.) I mean the guy certainly had his flaws but Merit was miserable towards him so I’m really not sure I blame him. I wish she had just been honest. Jane was somewhat interesting, but also felt kind of predatory at times and also soooo weirdly unprofessional.
Also, the ending just aggravated me and the happily ever after felt undeserved after all the infidelity.
Also, the ending just aggravated me and the happily ever after felt undeserved after all the infidelity.
The ending was gut wrenching. Great book to discuss topics like marriage, motherhood, relationships, LGBTQA, life’s choices, guilt, integrity.
An addictive, well written, filled with lots of excellent, funny and sarcastic dialogue between morally grey characters novel, "Like a House on Fire" is an intriguing exploration of motherhood, queer identity, and female friendships. Merit is an architect/artist who is desperate to get a few hours away from her kids. Jane is her Danish boss, with whom she has instant chemistry. Their intense friendship grows into an affair, which forces Merit to explore her wants and needs and finally speak them out loud. Merit as a character is both likable and to be condemned. On the one hand the claustrophobia of raising two little kids mostly alone is understandable. Her husband does try to communicate with her (I thought he sounded sincere), but Merit is very closed off and never asks for help. Some of her bursts of anger were understandable. Some were the result of her abysmal communication skills. It doesn't help that Merit fixates on the things that are NOT nice (when her husband buys her flowers she immediately identifies the carnation that is already dead). She's also borderline queerphobic, which we can blame on her upbringing (still, she never properly atones at least internally for it). I first expected this to be a story about Merit getting screwed over at work by her villainous boss. The first chapters were written in such a way to make me think the narrator was Merit, but the protagonist was Jane. Somewhere in the middle the protagonist clearly switched to Merit, which caused the story to stagger a bit. Still this switch from an other to self protagonist mirrors Merit's own journey, so I believe in the end it worked. Merit needed to find herself and find her voice.
I was however torn about some aspects in the novel (apart from the lost momentum in the middle), particularly the relationship with Corry. One of Merit's major flaws is her inability to communicate. She expects Corry to read her mind (something that a lot of people in failed relationships do), but any therapist will tell you that's just not possible. She then really appreciates when Jane ultimately coaxes her feelings out of her, and concludes that Jane is much better than Corry--but that's an unfair comparison. There's no doubt Corry and Merit are not a good fit, and should part ways; and it's clear that Corry gets seduced by a semi-bachelor life when he can, but he does support Merit--he just doesn't guide her. Jane has only work to worry about; Jane has not had years of having to jump in and deal with two toddlers whenever they get sick, or hungry, or dirty. It was easier for Jane not to fail. A lot of Merit's behavior is understandable, but a good chunk of it is also selfish. I was debating whether to give the book 4 or 5 stars (the epilogue was amazing). But then I read the excellent interview with the author. There was one spot that really snagged me, like a thorn pushing through a beautifully wrapped and fragrant bouquet. From my understanding the author meant for Corry to be a non-supportive husband, and I think she didn't nail that portrayal. Merit selfish moments (including the big one--the affair) were not challenged as much as I think they should have been. And it's a little unfair (and unhealthy) to expect a partner you're not communicating with to "fix" you.
Overall a very entertaining read, and an author I will definitely read again.
I was however torn about some aspects in the novel (apart from the lost momentum in the middle), particularly the relationship with Corry. One of Merit's major flaws is her inability to communicate. She expects Corry to read her mind (something that a lot of people in failed relationships do), but any therapist will tell you that's just not possible. She then really appreciates when Jane ultimately coaxes her feelings out of her, and concludes that Jane is much better than Corry--but that's an unfair comparison. There's no doubt Corry and Merit are not a good fit, and should part ways; and it's clear that Corry gets seduced by a semi-bachelor life when he can, but he does support Merit--he just doesn't guide her. Jane has only work to worry about; Jane has not had years of having to jump in and deal with two toddlers whenever they get sick, or hungry, or dirty. It was easier for Jane not to fail. A lot of Merit's behavior is understandable, but a good chunk of it is also selfish. I was debating whether to give the book 4 or 5 stars (the epilogue was amazing). But then I read the excellent interview with the author. There was one spot that really snagged me, like a thorn pushing through a beautifully wrapped and fragrant bouquet. From my understanding the author meant for Corry to be a non-supportive husband, and I think she didn't nail that portrayal. Merit selfish moments (including the big one--the affair) were not challenged as much as I think they should have been. And it's a little unfair (and unhealthy) to expect a partner you're not communicating with to "fix" you.
Overall a very entertaining read, and an author I will definitely read again.