A review by bookedwithannie
Like a House on Fire by Lauren McBrayer

5.0

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