May Read: Happy Place by Emily Henry

 

I finished the latest from Emily Henry a few days ago and I've given myself a few days to mull it over. There will definitely be those who absolutely love and adore this novel, and some, like me, who are "meh" about it. 

Happy Place takes place over a week's time in Knott's Harbor, Maine. A group of six friends gather for their yearly vacation at a beach cottage in this tourist-friendly town. The six friends: Sabrina, Cleo, Kimmy, Harriet, Wyn, and Parth have made this a tradition, but this year is a bit different: the cottage is being sold by Sabrina's wealthy father, and this will be their last year to relive their college and post-college memories of summers in Maine. 

The kicker here: Harriet and Wyn. They've been together for seven years, and madly in love. Only problem is they broke up six months ago, and didn't tell anyone. Sabrina surprises Harriet by inviting Wyn for the week, and then surprises the whole group with the news that her and Parth are getting married. That week. In Maine. With only their closest friends. So Harriet and Wyn decide they've got to pretend they're still together. Which may very well destroy both of them before the week's out. 

The novel bounces back and forth between "Real Life" during the week, and the past-starting with Wyn and Harriet meeting, and the evolution of their relationship. Let's be clear here--these two LOVE each other. Passionately. Their chemistry is pretty darn apparent, and well written. Wyn can't keep his hands off Harriet, even after all this time. So why did they break up? You never quite get the answer until well into the novel, and it's kind of a blah reason. I expected something more because these two are clearly devastated they are no longer together, but don't know how to communicate to each other to fix it. Mental health is one of the themes of the novel, and I do appreciate that it is brought up and discussed. 

Harriet explores her memories of their relationship, and her desire to please her parents by continuing her focus on becoming a brain surgeon. But is it really what she wants? Is it keeping her and Wyn apart? And Wyn--he's pretty quiet so it's hard to figure out just why he broke things off with Harriet. He needs to be a bit more open and communicate. UGH! Communication!! 

This novel is also about people growing up. Stepping away from college years and into adulthood and all that it demands. It can find all of us making choices and sometimes growing apart as life takes us in different directions. It can be painful and, yes, sometimes hurtful to friends who aren't quite ready to move on. 

I did feel like an intrusive guest sometimes reading this novel-like the extra body that doesn't quite fit in with the close group of friends. I was frustrated with Wyn and Harriet. A couple of good conversations would have cleared up their mess pretty quickly, but instead they mooned over each other and made each other miserable. The other friends all have their own dynamics and issues, too. I was pleased with the ending, though, so I'm glad I stuck it out. 

Rating: 3/6 for a summer read about a painful breakup and how to get back to each other. Harriet's a strong character, but heck woman, speak up! And Wyn? you're a gorgeous man, but dang it all, make an effort for the woman you love! Sheesh. 

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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May Read: Happy Place by Emily Henry

The Ingredients of Us by Jennifer Gold

Sometimes a book that you think is going to check off of all your boxes ends up being one that leaves you with a lingering feeling of disappointment and dissatisfaction.  The Ingredients of Us was one of those books. Maybe I went into the book thinking it was going to be a fun-filled novel about a baker, and recipes, and a bit lighthearted, with just enough drama to keep it from being sappy. 

Instead, I struggled to finish it, and it took me a few weeks. It's the story of Elle and Tom, married for 8 years, and Elle has recently discovered Tom has had an affair. A busy woman with a popular bakery, she's consumed by her love of baking--so much so that it usually takes priority in her life, even over Tom. Feeling neglected, he cheats. And this is the main plot of the novel--how they cope with his infidelity while deciding if saving their marriage is something they want to do. 

We see their relationship from the earliest stages up to the days and weeks following Elle's discovery of the affair. While it was important to understand where they came from as a couple, it was a bit too much bouncing back and forth, back and forth, between "7 years and 3 days before Elle finds out" to "Four weeks after Elle finds out". I'm never one to complain about plots zipping back and forth between the before and the after, but this seemed a bit overdone. The  looks back were a bit all over the place, so it was hard to settle in and see where in the relationship Elle and Tom were and what it had to do with what was going on in present time. One big issue was children--Tom wanted them, and Elle wasn't ready. Was she ever going to be ready? It's a pretty big deal, and I'm not really sure it was ever laid to rest as I turned the last page. 

So while I was looking for a lighthearted read, I didn't find it here. The recipes and baked goods sounded divine, but the writing of the recipes seemed completely at odds with the tone of the novel--they seemed a bit out of place. 

This wasn't the read I was expecting it to be, and maybe it's my fault for being disappointed in the result. If you want to read about a marriage and all the trials and troubles that add to it, and potentially destroy it, this is the novel for you. It just wasn't my jam. 

Rating: 2/6 for a novel about two people navigating the choppy waters of infidelity. Too much jumping around was jarring, and the bakery setting and foodie parts didn't seem to jive with the seriousness of the rest of the novel. 

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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The Ingredients of Us by Jennifer Gold

Crosstalk by Connie Willis

This novel popped up on my TBR list this month out of the blue  and it knocked a few others down the ladder.  But it was a refreshing change from my usual reads, and introduced me to Connie Willis, a very well known and beloved writer of science fiction.  I've got her novel Doomsday Book sitting on my bookshelves and now I'm raring to read it.  

Crosstalk takes place in the present, and is all about the wonderful and dangerous field of communication.  Namely, telepathy.  Briddey Flannigan works for Commspan ( an Apple-like company) and dates one of its rising stars, Trent Worth.  They've decided to take their relationship forward by having an EED procedure.  This procedure (which is outpatient brain surgery!) connects a couple together by enabling them to sense each others feelings, thereby bringing them closer and making their relationship that much better.  It's a major commitment.  Trent wants it done before he proposes.  Briddey's large and loud Irish-American family does not want her to undergo the procedure, so Briddey decides to have it done in secret.  

Only problem is, Briddey's surgery has a different result.  Instead of feeling Trent's emotions, she hears a voice loud and clear in her head.  CB Schwartz is a genius who works at Commspan (in the basement, by himself) and regularly consults with Briddey.  He implored her not to have the EED done.  And who's voice does Briddey hear?  CB's.  Loud and clear. As in telepathy.  As in they can have conversations in their heads no matter how far apart they are or where they are located.  Oops.  

Furious with CB, Briddey's life becomes a game of trying to fend off Trent's impatience at their delayed connection, keeping her family from finding out about the surgery, and figuring out how the heck to deal with CB's voice in her head. Only problem is, Briddey begins to hear other, random voices in her head too.  The only person who can save her from madness, and help her unravel the mystery of her telepathy, is CB.  Meanwhile, Commspan is frantically trying to come up with a phone that will rival Apple's latest.  In a world where communication is everything, where do we stop?  How far will Commspan go to become the best?

This was a fun novel with serious undertones about today's world and the need for instant communication, corporate greed, and lack of privacy.  Briddey has no privacy at all; her family is always calling, texting, or visiting, and in her workplace everyone knows everything immediately. I found myself annoyed for Briddey's sake when she can't even get out of the parking garage without a coworker asking about her date the night before.  There are no secrets.  

I liked CB's character a lot.  It's obvious Briddey and CB should be together, and as a reader it is enjoyable to watch their relationship slowly unfold.  Trent is a rather shallow character who seems pretty one dimensional; I have to say Briddey's family is right on the money not liking him so much.  There are references to Joan of Arc, Saint Patrick, and others throughout history who have claimed to hear voices.  Telepathy has been around for centuries, and the same fears of persecution and unethical experiments still hold true in today's world.  Underneath the comedy of errors that is Briddey's life, there is a seriousness and a reminder that sometimes silence is golden.  

This book will be out in hardcover and e-book  on Tuesday, October 4th.

Thank you to Penguin/Random House for a review copy, and introducing me to Connie Willis.  

Rating:  8/10 for a novel that has many layers.  It will appeal to those who love a good romantic comedy, those who are into science fiction with a technological angle, and those who like a good story.  It would make a good book club discussion.  

 

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Crosstalk by Connie Willis