A review by hollyd19
The Very Nice Box by Eve Gleichman, Laura Blackett

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I generally dislike the term “genre-bending” but trying to describe this books requires me to suspend that particular aversion. Clocking in somewhere between satire, romance, and suspense, The Very Nice Box follows Ava, a quiet furniture designer at STÄDA (read: IKEA), who is dealing with personal loss when she gets a new boss whose buoyant energy and magnetic personality shakes up her workplace and her life. 

Going in, I knew very little about this book aside from the fact that I liked the cover art. The endorsements were strong and mentioned processing grief, a topic I’ve been drawn to over the last year or so. What I didn’t expect was to be charmed and engrossed by this creative novel. I laughed often at the witty ways authors Blackett and Gleichman skewer corporate culture, and was impressed by the tender nuance they gave to Ava’s grieving process. The added bonus is that the whole book takes place in Brooklyn (Prospect Park and Red Hook, mostly) which was a fun atmospheric treat. 

Ultimately, I really enjoy this one, and found myself eager for the next chance I’d have to pick it up.

I really want to talk to someone who has read this and seen Dead to Me.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings