Don't Worry, Life is Easy by Agnes Martin-Lugand

I was thrilled to be able to read this sequel to Happy People Read and Drink Coffee (click on the link to read my review from 2016), because quite frankly the tale of Diane and Edward was so powerful I couldn't wait to find out what happens next.  If you haven't read Happy People, I'm going to probably spoil a few things for you, so beware.

Translated from French, this sequel picks up a year after Diane returns to Paris from Ireland.  Her bookstore is doing well after Diane renews her commitment to making it a success.  Her life has a routine; her grief has subsided.  Her feelings for Edward, however, are still pretty strong, and her time in Ireland and the people she met remain on her mind.  Felix, her best friend, is still a delightful character who can be counted on to keep things light.  

Diane has been going out on dates, and they're all pretty horrible.  Listening to the tales my dating friends tell me, it's amusing to read about similar experiences in Paris, the City of Love.  Bad dates happen everywhere!  But Diane does meet Olivier...a kind, quiet, handsome man who is very patient with Diane.  He's safe, and doesn't stir her wild emotions as Edward did in Ireland.  And who's to say safe is a bad thing, after the emotional devastation Diane has gone through?  

One night out, Diane and Olivier run into Edward, who's visiting Paris for a photography exhibition.  Diane is shaken, and her feelings for Edward are still strong.  She finds out his Aunt Abby is ill, and decides to travel back to Ireland to visit her.  

I'll stop there.  I won't give any more away.  I will tell you that this sequel is just as good as the first novel.  Agnes succeeded in reducing me to a sobbing mess more than once.  She writes so beautifully; simply said but so impactful.  Spare, but packs a punch.  You are wishing so much for Diane and Edward to find a way; can two people who live in different countries, are both emotionally damaged, and so wary find happiness together?  

It's a quick read, but one that will stay with you for quite some time after you've turned the last page.  It is one of my favorite reads for 2017. Both novels remind us that life can be so very painful, unfair, and dark.  But if we are brave enough, it can also be pretty wonderful, too.  

Thank you to Hachette Books for a chance to read this book ahead of publication.  Also a huge thank you to Roslan & Campion for giving me the opportunity to talk about this wonderful author once again.   

Don't Worry, Life is Easy will be available May 2nd in the U.S. in hardcover and ebook.  But you must read Happy People first!

Rating:  5/6 for a sequel that is just as good as the original novel about  finding the sunshine in life after devastating loss. 

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Don't Worry, Life is Easy by Agnes Martin-Lugand

Love by the Book by Melissa Pimentel

I'm the midst of my last full semester of grad school, and while I fully embrace the knowledge that I will be stressed out, tired, and trying to finish all my assignments on time, I still have to accommodate my reading addiction.  

All of you out there who share my inability to get through a day without reading for at least an hour understand the absolute necessity of this! Luckily, I was asked to read and review a kicky book that will either make you never want to date again, or conduct your own experiment into the mysteries of dating and finding the love of your life.  

Love by the Book is a novel by Melissa Pimentel based on something she did while living in London in 2009:  buying dating how-to books and using their methods to actually meet and date men.  And that's just what Lauren Cunningham does, with a definite mixed result.  Lauren moves to London after a messy break-up (which you find out more about towards the end of the novel).  She finds a great roommate and a job at a museum.  She's just offered her stay-over sex dude Adrian some eggs for breakfast.  Because, as we all know, it's a nice thing to do and eggs are just eggs.  But Adrian freaks out, thinks she's asking for a commitment, and doesn't let the door hit him in the tushy on his way out.  

Lauren decides to read a dating guide each month for a year, and follow the rules in an attempt to discover A) just what works with men, and B) have lots of sex.  Lauren's escapades are sometimes partially successful, but most often leave her scratching her head and thinking twice about her "study".  And meanwhile, there's the  guy who runs the bookstore...who thinks she's an idiot for buying those books, and with whom she has great conversations about literature and life.  Could he be the one she's looking for?

Lauren is certainly a character, as well as her flatmate Lucy.  I will say this novel is Bridget Jones tossed in with Sex and the City.  There's plenty of booze, sexual encounters, and cigarettes.  It is a fun romp and an enjoyable read.  And what happens at the end of Lauren's journey?  Does she figure it out, or does she give up?  And what has she left behind at home?  

I will say the one thing that puzzled me about the book was her past relationship with Dylan.  It got a bit lost and I never really understood what exactly this relationship was until I was almost done with the novel.  It really could have been left out or explained pretty directly right up front.  I didn't think it had much to do with the novel as a whole but just provided a plot device for Lauren to move to London.   

Valentine's day is coming up!  For all those single ladies out there, spend February 14th pampering yourself, eating something good, and reading this book.  It's a fun look at love and dating in 2015.  

Rating:  7/10 for a clever use of dating "how-to" books put into practice.  Lauren's dating experiences go from so-so to disasters to not-so-bad, but all are fun to read about! 

Thanks to Penguin for a review copy!  

Available in paperback and ebook.  

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Love by the Book by Melissa Pimentel