Claire Wescott is married to Byron, a professor at a liberal arts college in Ohio. She’s his second wife and is starting to question if his change in behavior towards her means something…is it a sign that he’s seeing someone else. Claire thinks a baby will be the answer though she’s got fertility issues. As she pursues that direction, she’s also trying to figure out if there’s a “who” responsible for his distraction.
From the start, I knew I was dealing with an unreliable narrator because Claire has some serious issues! And, the prologue introduces someone, anonymous, who’s always in the background and I was never quite sure where to place her…past or present, good or evil, real or imagined. Then there’s Colleen, Byron’s first wife, who has a large presence in the story. She disappeared years ago, presumed dead by suicide. The narrative is Claire’s and it’s an uncomfortable place to be in as she grapples with self doubt, body image issues and her writing failures. I didn’t like her very much though I had empathy for her situation. I went back and forth about Byron because I only had Claire’s point of view.
Because of my struggles with Claire, I had mixed feelings about this story. I had a hard time resuming reading after breaks because I didn’t want to be back in her head. But, there came a point where things shifted and it became a seriously intriguing puzzle I had to solve. I got there but was still surprised by one final twist. I’m glad I hung in there because being off balance is part of the story’s allure. If you don’t get hung up on how you feel about the narrator, you’ll appreciate the journey and the payoff. I’m still thinking about that ending.
Book Info
- Release Date: June 11, 2019
- Page Numbers: 352
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
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(Thanks to NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
Fab review!
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Thanks, Nicki!
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Fantastic review, Jonetta! I love a good unreliable narrator, even when they’re frustrating. Looks like I’ll have to check this one out, if only to find out the ending.
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Thank you, Christopher! I like them, too. Claire was just so unlikable for a variety of reasons. She irritated me but then started intriguing me, which is when I couldn’t stop reading. That was about midway.
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If I get too frustrated, I know to keep going then!
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This is quite a thoughtful and well-balanced review, Jonetta! It sounds like one I should give a try some time. Wonderful review! ♥️
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Thanks, Jennifer! I thought it important to say how I wanted to give up but was glad I didn’t. It was worth the patience.
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Great review, Jonetta! I do like an unreliable narrator if they’re done well. This one seems like an interesting read.
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Thank you, Stephanie! My last few books have had this feature so I’ll be mixing it up going forward😏
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You’re welcome! I can’t wait!!
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Good for you to continue the story and I am happy it conclusion was worth the effort. Wonderful review, Jonetta!!🌸
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Thank you, Marialyce! I often complain about not being able to DNF a book and this is the reason why…the possibility that it will not only get better but turn out to be a good reading experience.
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Oh, dear, it’s not often a book lets you down, but it sounds like this one kind of missed the mark. What a shame.
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It was good, not great, but by the end it had really turned around.
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Glad you stuck with it Jonetta! Glad it was worthwhile. Great review. ❤
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Thanks, Holly!
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I’m glad to hear it was a good read overall even with the narrator issues. Wonderful review!
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Thank you, Suzanne!
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