BOOK REVIEW Netgalley: White Fuzz by William Pauley III

November 5, 2023 / The Legal Alien / 3 Comments

Title: White Fuzz

Author: William Pauley III

Audiobook Length: 2 hours and 38 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Bizarro Fiction, Science Fiction, Novella

Read Start Date: October 9, 2023

Read Finish Date: October 10, 2023

No. of Book in the Series: 2

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: “White Fuzz is a weird sort of love story between two deeply disturbed individuals, each a product of their isolated environment. It’s not an easy read. It’s shocking, gross, and horrifying. Manages to check off every trigger! You’ve been warned.”

Franklin feels alone in life. One fateful night, he gets a curious text from a stranger, Lynda, another resident of his apartment building. She convinces him to come over, against his better judgment, and surprisingly the night seems to be going great, despite a little awkwardness.

However, it’s clear that Lynda is living with demons that are in desperate need of exercising, as everything inside her apartment seems to trigger some dark memory buried deep within her psyche. In hopes of helping her escape the prison that is her home, he invites her over to his place, but the problems only get worse, to the point he fears she won’t make it through the night.

Just when he feels the night has reached peak insanity, he discovers her madness is rubbing off on him…

My Review: White Fuzz is the second book in the series The Bedlam Bible. As with many Pauley novels, this one is short, weird and wonderful. Franklin receives a mysterious text message from a stranger. Turns out, she is a neighbor in the Eighth Block Tower, and he goes over to her place. As they initiate a sort of romantic entanglement, weird (and gross) things start to happen. And when I say gross, I mean the description the author gave of the encounters were so vivid that I literally felt stomach sick.

A fun little read to listen to. Just make sure to wait to eat anything until afterward!

Other Books in the Series (that I have read):

See my review of The Tower here.

See my review of Fight Tub here.

See my review of The Ballad of Old Joe Booth here.

See my review of The Astronaut Dream Book here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BOOK REVIEW: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

October 22, 2023October 9, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: Tom Lake

Author: Ann Patchett

Audiobook Length: 11 hours and 22 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

Read Start Date: September 16, 2023

Read Finish Date: September 23, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake.

As Lara recalls the past, her daughters examine their own lives and relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.

Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. As in all of her novels, Ann Patchett combines compelling narrative artistry with piercing insights into family dynamics. The result is a rich and luminous story, told with profound intelligence and emotional subtlety, that demonstrates once again why she is one of the most revered and acclaimed literary talents working today.

My Review: Tom Lake tells the story of Lara Novak, a woman who lives on a cherry orchard in Northern Michigan with her husband. Her three adult daughters return to the farm for the season. I believe that the present day events are set during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic is mentioned only in passing and doesn’t become an overarching theme of the novel. While picking cherries, the daughters ask Lara to tell them the story of Lara’s summer at Tom Lake during her early twenties, where, while participating in a summer stock theater company, she fell in love with a famous actor named Peter Duke. The daughters grew up watching Peter Duke in several favorite movies, and only recently learned that their mother had dated him in her youth.

The novel alternates between the present and the past, and the stories soon intertwine in a intricately woven story, where past actions / events, resonate with /dictate the present.

The storylines are character heavy, and not much happens other than the telling of their lives. In such books, I always find that it is vital that the book is written well, and that the lives of the characters are engaging enough to keep my interest. Both are true with Tom Lake. Patchett writes in beautiful prose, and her characters are relatable and loveable.

Stats: as of writing this post (October 9, 2023) Tom Lake has a 4.23 rating on Goodreads. My review of 4 stars is on par with the masses.

Recommended? Yes!

BOOK REVIEW Netgalley: The Exorcist Legacy by Nat Segaloff

October 9, 2023October 9, 2023 / The Legal Alien / 2 Comments

Title: The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear

Author: Nat Segaloff

Book Length: 300 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Horror, Film

Read Start Date: May 11, 2023

Read Finish Date: September 15, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Since 1973, The Exorcist and its progeny have scared and inspired half a century of filmgoers. Now, on the 50th anniversary of the original movie release, this is the definitive, fascinating story of the scariest movie ever madeand its lasting impact as one of the most shocking, influential, and successful adventures in the history of film. Written by Nat Segaloff, an original publicist for the movie and the acclaimed biographer of its director, with a foreword from John Russo, author and cowriter of the seminal horror film Night of the Living Dead.

On December 26, 1973, The Exorcist was released. Within days it had become legend. Moviegoers braved hours-long lines in winter weather to see it. Some audience members famously fainted or vomited. Half a century later, the movie that both inspired and transcends the modern horror genre has lost none of its power to terrify and unsettle.

The Exorcist Legacy reveals the complete story of this cultural phenomenon, from the real-life exorcism in 1949 Maryland that inspired William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel on which the movie is based, to its many sequels, prequels, TV series, and homages. Nat Segaloff, biographer of the film’s director, William Friedkin, draws on original interviews with cast, crew, and participants as well as revelations from personal papers to present an intriguing and surprising new view of the making of movie, and its aftermath.

Segaloff also examines as never before the keys to the movie’s enduring appeal. Friedkin and Blatty’s goal was far more ambitious than making a scary movie; they aimed to make people “think about the concept of good and evil.” The Exorcist succeeds, and then some, not just by creating on-screen scares, but by challenging viewers’ deepest personal beliefs—and fears.

My Review: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Exorcist Legacy is about the making and impact of the 1973 film The Exorcist. It is a comprehensive and well-researched work that draws on interviews with cast, crew, experts, personal papers, and other archival materials. It provides a unique and fascinating perspective on one of the most important and influential films ever made.

Segaloff begins by tracing the history of the film, from its origins in a real-life exorcism in 1949 to its publication as a novel by William Peter Blatty in 1971. He then goes on to discuss the making of the film, from its controversial casting and production to its groundbreaking special effects.

Segaloff also explores the film’s cultural impact, examining its influence on other horror films, its role in popularizing the concept of demonic possession, and its enduring appeal to audiences around the world.

The Exorcist is more than just a horror film; it is a complex and challenging work exploring themes such as faith, doubt, good and evil, and reality. Segaloff explores these themes in his book and argues that the film resonates with audiences today because it taps into our deepest fears and anxieties.

Whether you are a fan of The Exorcist, a horror film enthusiast, or simply interested in the history of cinema, The Exorcist Legacy is a must-read.

BOOK REVIEW: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

September 10, 2023September 8, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: Hello Beautiful

Author: Ann Napolitano

Audiobook Length: 15 hours and 6 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction

Read Start Date: August 7, 2023

Read Finish Date: August 19, 2023

Goodreads’ Synopsis: An emotionally layered and engrossing story of a family that asks: Can love make a broken person whole?

William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So it’s a relief when his skill on the basketball court earns him a scholarship to college, far away from his childhood home. He soon meets Julia Padavano, a spirited and ambitious young woman who surprises William with her appreciation of his quiet steadiness. With Julia comes her family; she is inseparable from her three younger sisters: Sylvie, the dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book and imagines a future different from the expected path of wife and mother; Cecelia, the family’s artist; and Emeline, who patiently takes care of all of them. Happily, the Padavanos fold Julia’s new boyfriend into their loving, chaotic household.

But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable loyalty to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?

Vibrating with tenderness, Hello Beautiful is a gorgeous, profoundly moving portrait of what’s possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.

My Review: The novel begins with the birth of William Waters, a boy who is unwanted by his parents. He grows up in a house filled with silence and sadness, and he never feels loved or accepted. When he meets Julia Padavano, the oldest of the four sisters, he finds a connection that he has never had before. Julia’s family is everything that William’s is not: they are loving, supportive, and full of life.

William and Julia fall in love and get married. With Julia comes her family, the Padavanos. The Padavanos are a close-knit family who are always there for each other, no matter what. William finally feels like he belongs somewhere. However, the Padavanos are not without their own problems. Julia’s father, Charlie, is a struggling alcoholic. Her mother, Rose, is a devoted wife and mother, but she is also exhausted and overwhelmed. The sisters themselves are all struggling to find their own way in the world.

The novel spans four decades, from the 1960s to the 2000s, and explores themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and redemption.

Hello Beautiful is a beautifully written and moving novel that deals with some heavy topics, such as childhood trauma, grief, and loss. I often felt melancholy while reading this book, so I think that you have to be in a good headspace before starting it.

Each character is well developed and complex and feels like a real person.

William Waters is shaped by a childhood trauma that follows him into adulthood. For decades, his choice to abandon his wife and infant daughter created ripple effects throughout the Padavano family. When abandoned by William, Julia, a strong and independent woman, blazes her own path despite the obstacles ahead of her. Sylvie is a dreamer and a romantic, and she is always looking for a new adventure. She is drawn to William’s vulnerability and makes a choice that creates a rift between the once close-knit sisters. The first to go her own way, Cecelia is an artist and a free spirit, and she is not afraid to be herself. Emeline, Cecelia’s twin, is the family’s caretaker and is always there to lend a helping hand. Emeline struggles with her sexuality and whether to be herself in the face of outside scrutiny or bigotry.

It is a story about the power of love and the importance of family, even when things are at their darkest. There is so much to unpack in this book, that it will stay with you long after reading it. Apparently, it is supposed to be based on Little Women, but in my opinion it is at best “loosely” based on Little Women.

Stats: As of September 8, 2023, this book has a 4.23-star rating on Goodreads, so my review is on par with that of the general public.

Recommended? YES!

BOOK REVIEW: Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

July 6, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Author: Coco Mellors

Book Length: 384 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, (Romance)

Read Start Date: May 8, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 28, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Twenty-four-year-old British painter Cleo has escaped from England to New York and is still finding her place in the sleepless city when, a few months before her student visa ends, she meets Frank. Twenty years older and a self-made success, Frank’s life is full of all the excesses Cleo’s lacks. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint, and the opportunity to apply for a Green Card. But their impulsive marriage irreversibly changes both their lives, and the lives of those close to them, in ways they never could’ve predicted.

Each compulsively readable chapter explores the lives of Cleo, Frank, and an unforgettable cast of their closest friends and family as they grow up and grow older. Whether it’s Cleo’s best friend struggling to embrace his gender queerness in the wake of Cleo’s marriage, or Frank’s financially dependent sister arranging sugar daddy dates to support herself after being cut off, or Cleo and Frank themselves as they discover the trials of marriage and mental illness, each character is as absorbing, and painfully relatable, as the last.

As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, entertaining as it is deeply moving, Cleopatra and Frankenstein marks the entry of a brilliant and bold new talent.

My Review: When I first read the title, I thought this book was a clever reimagining/love story between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the Egyptian Queen. I picked it off the shelf at the bookstore on my birthday, wondering whether this would be the book I gifted myself. The synopsis quickly dissuaded me from the notion that this would be a parody horror love story set in ancient Egypt. Although, that sounds like an awesome book. Just saying.

I won’t get into the book too much, as the synopsis lays out the plot nicely. “Cleopatra” and “Frankenstein” are the pet names that Cleo and Frank give each other. I thought, ok, eh, and left without buying the book.

When I saw it on the shelf at the library, however, I decided to give it a go and was pleasantly surprised (almost enough to regret my decision not to buy it).

Having read mostly commercial fiction of late, the literary style of Mellors writing was a welcome change.

Written in the third person (mostly), Mellors not only gives us the POV of the main characters Frank and Cleo, but also their closest friends. The ensemble of characters is highly intriguing, but some of their interactions exhibit toxic dynamics. The only chapters which were in the first person was for the POV of a woman named Eleanor, and to be honest, I am not a fan of alternating from third to first. I know it is a legitimate style of writing, but its just not my thing.

Trigger warning for animal death, drugs and alcohol abuse.

What Others Have Said that Resonated With Me: Sophie’s Edit: “Anyway, the bit I really wanted to write about was the fact this novel is a letter to New York. And although this may be to contrary opinion, I actually think it is quite a clever one. It highlights that some people thrive in the city and some people are destroyed by it. Mellors, in conjunction with the theme of growing up, shows how addiction and success are in the veins of such a place, which is why Cleo struggles so much to find herself. The younger characters spend the novel ‘finding’ themselves in a city which has too much of a personality for you to find yourself with any ounce of integrity. Whereas the older generation are in a state of success but also unhappiness and discontent with the decisions they’ve made – Franco turns to alcohol and Santiago is enamoured by his weight loss journey and how he appears to others. It makes you wonder if any of them can be truly happy in the world they live in. New York breeds unhappiness and problems, and in that sense, it makes you fit into a mould that truly, only some people are made for.”

Stats: At the time of writing this review (July 6, 2023), this book has an average rating of 3.85 stars on Goodreads. My rating of 4 stars, therefore, falls a little higher than the average, but is still within range of the general audience.

Recommended? Yes!

BOOK REVIEW: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

July 4, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Author: Michelle Obama

Audiobook Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Self-Help, Autobiography, Politics

Read Start Date: May 11, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 23, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: There may be no tidy solutions or pithy answers to life’s big challenges, but Michelle Obama believes that we can all locate and lean on a set of tools to help us better navigate change and remain steady within flux. In The Light We Carry, she opens a frank and honest dialogue with readers, considering the questions many of us wrestle with: How do we build enduring and honest relationships? How can we discover strength and community inside our differences? What tools do we use to address feelings of self-doubt or helplessness? What do we do when it all starts to feel like too much?

Michelle Obama offers readers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, including her belief that when we light up for others, we can illuminate the richness and potential of the world around us, discovering deeper truths and new pathways for progress. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles–the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness.

“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it,” writes Michelle Obama. A rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversation, The Light We Carry inspires readers to examine their own lives, identify their sources of gladness, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.

My Review: I read Michelle Obama’s other book last year (you can see the review of Becoming by clicking on the link here). While I liked this book, I thought that it paled in comparison to the author’s first book (which is why I only gave it 4 stars). Don’t get me wrong, I think that says more about her first book than her second i.e., that her first book was so good, it is a hard act to follow.

The Light We Carry is less of a political memoir and more of a self-help book. The title encompasses the over arching theme of her book. “I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual. A flame that’s worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what’s unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change.”

and: “One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry.”

Giving practical advice on overcoming adversity, Michelle Obama lets readers take a look into her “toolbox” for getting through the world we live in today. From parenting to anxiety, the author uses stories from her life and childhood to illustrate her points.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Michelle Obama herself. I always love it when the author can narrate their own novel. It’s like hearing it from them personally.

Stats: At the time of writing this review (July 4, 2023), this book had an average rating of 4.29 on Goodreads, so my review seems to be right on par with the general populace.

Recommended? Yes!

BOOK REVIEW: The Ballad of Old Joe Booth (A Song for Eighth Block) by William Pauley III

June 4, 2023 / The Legal Alien / 6 Comments

Title: The Ballad of Old Joe Booth (A Song for Eighth Block)

Author: William Pauley III

Audiobook Length: 45 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Horror, Novella

Read Start Date: May 23, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 23, 2023

Number of Book in Series: 5

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Some monsters are impossible to see. This is The Ballad of Old Joe Booth. An epic poem in four parts. A song for Eighth Block.

My Review: I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the 5th book in the Bedlam Bible series, but I haven’t read book 2 or 3 yet because they were archived on Netgalley before I had a chance to download them. In any event, it isn’t necessary to have read the previous books, as this one is stand-alone.

The Ballad of Old Joe Booth is a captivating tale narrating the genesis of the enigmatic cosmic horror entity known as Old Joe Booth. The Bedlam Bible, an extraordinary compilation encompassing every book in the series, holds the key to Old Joe Booth’s demise. Learning of its existence, and the potential fatal nature of the Bedlam Bible, Old Joe is prompted to embark on a relentless quest to eradicate this ominous tome. With its evocative descriptions and thrilling narrative, this eerie and delightful short story by William Pauley III is yet another resounding success.

Other Books in the Series (that I have read)

Title: The Tower

Author: William Pauley III

Audiobook Length: 2 hours and 23 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Short Story

Read Start Date: January 27, 2023

Read Finish Date: January 31, 2023

Number of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: Something is happening to the residents of Eighth Block Tower…

There’s radiation in the walls. Salt covers the hallways. The food and water are poisonous. A giant green brain pulsates under the roof, pumping electric venom throughout the apartment building. The residents are trapped and losing their minds.

Sanity is a myth. Sickness is life.

See my review of The Tower here.

Title: Fight Tub

Author: William Pauley III

Audiobook Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Horror, Novella

Read Start Date: May 6, 2023

Read Finish Date: May 8, 2023

Number of Book in Series: 4

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: The story of a man who became his bathroom.

See my review of Fight Tub here.

BOOK REVIEW: Hounds of the Underworld by Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray

May 14, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: Hounds of the Underworld

Author: Dan Rabarts and Lee Murray

Audiobook Length: 8 hours and 18 minutes

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Mystery

Read Start Date: April 21, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 24, 2023

No. of Book in Series: 1

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: On the verge of losing her laboratory, her savings, and all respect for herself, Pandora (Penny) Yee lands her first contract as scientific consult to the police department. And with seventeen murder cases on the go, the surly inspector is happy to leave her to it. Only she’s going to need to get around, and that means her slightly unhinged adopted brother, Matiu, will be doing the driving. But something about the case spooks Matiu, something other than the lack of a body in the congealing pool of blood in the locked room or that odd little bowl.

Matiu doesn’t like anything about this case, from the voices that screamed at him when he touched that bowl, to the way his hateful imaginary friend Makere has come back to torment him, to the fact that the victim seems to be tied up with a man from Matiu’s past, a man who takes pleasure in watching dogs tear each other to pieces for profit and entertainment.

Hounds of the Underworld blends mystery, near-future noir and horror. Set in New Zealand it’s the product of a collaboration by two Kiwi authors, one with Chinese heritage and the other Māori. This debut book in The Path of Ra series offers compelling new voices and an exotic perspective on the detective drama.

My Review: I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hounds of the Underworld is about siblings Matiu and Penny, who team up to solve a man’s disappearance. Penny, on the brink of losing her laboratory, is hired by the police for her services, and Matiu, her adopted Maori brother, tags along to the crime scene. Accidentally touching a bloodied bowl on the floor, Matiu hears a cacophony of screams in his head and wakes up his childhood imaginary friend, Makere. The siblings are thrust into a dark world of dog fighting, murder, and supernatural forces.

With respect to the audiobook recording, I really loved listening to the New Zealand accents of the narrators. The book includes a list of Maori terms that were used throughout the book, but I didn’t find it helpful in the audiobook version. With a paperback, you could flip to the back to see the definition, but by the end of the audiobook, it was already too late.

The dog fighting ring depicted in the story may be a trigger for dog lovers — it was for me. I was ready to cry at some points in the book and I was not happy that the authors didn’t do more to at least have a happy ending for a certain dog I have in mind.

The book starts off slow, focusing on the siblings’ relationship, but picks up pace in the last half and ends on a cliffhanger. Since this book was first published in 2017 (I think the audiobook format was just released), the 2nd and 3rd books in the trilogy are already published and available. I already have a long list of books on my “TBR” list this year, but I will definitely be adding the next books for reading in the future.

BOOK REVIEW: After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

May 13, 2023May 8, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: After I Do

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Length: 336 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Read Start Date: April 19, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 27, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, comes a breath taking novel about modern marriage, the depth of family ties, and the year that one remarkable heroine spends exploring both.

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for? This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game-and searching for a new road to happily ever after.

My Review: The novel tells the story of Lauren and Ryan, a married couple who have been together for 11 years but are struggling in their marriage. The book takes readers on a journey through the couple’s decision to take a year-long break from their marriage to try and figure out what they really want.

The novel begins with Lauren and Ryan at their breaking point. They have tried couples therapy, but nothing seems to be working. Lauren is feeling unfulfilled in her job as a freelance writer, and Ryan is feeling stuck in his job as a lawyer. They are also struggling with communication issues, and their once-loving relationship has become strained.

After a particularly bad fight, Lauren and Ryan decide to take a year-long break from their marriage. During this time, they agree not to see each other or communicate in any way. They both hope that this time apart will help them figure out if they still love each other and if they want to stay married.

The year apart is not easy for either of them. Lauren struggles to find her place in the world and her purpose in life without Ryan. She also finds herself becoming more isolated and lonely as she spends more time on her own. Ryan, on the other hand, finds himself drawn to a coworker and begins to question his feelings for Lauren.

Throughout the novel, we see the couple grow and change as they spend time apart. They both have experiences that help them grow as individuals, and they begin to understand themselves better. Lauren discovers a new passion for photography and starts a successful business, while Ryan decides to leave his law firm and pursue a career as a musician.

As the year apart comes to a close, Lauren and Ryan must decide if they want to stay together or move on separately. They both have new perspectives on life and love, and they must decide if they can forgive each other for the mistakes of their past and build a new future together.

As a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s recent books, I couldn’t help but notice that her writing style in After I Do feels different. Although Reid is an excellent writer, the tone and structure of this book deviates from the style of her more recent works. Perhaps it’s because After I Do is written in the first person, or maybe it’s because it’s a contemporary novel rather than historical fiction (or what I like to call modern historical, where the story takes place in the last few decades rather than centuries). Whatever the reason may be, it feels like a departure from her usual style – but this could also be an early work in the evolution of Reid’s writing.

Although I have been divorced myself, I found it difficult to relate to Lauren. When I ended my own marriage, I was completely done with my ex and didn’t think about him or care about his whereabouts. However, Lauren seemed to be consumed by the absence of her husband and continued to think of him throughout their year-long separation, even writing unsent emails to him. From the beginning, I sensed that she didn’t truly hate him as she claimed. While the book’s message seems to be that the year break was necessary for them to rediscover their love for each other, I couldn’t help but wonder if they were truly in touch with their feelings. If they were so fed up with each other that they wanted to break up, why did they immediately realize that they couldn’t stand being apart? This made me question their level of self-awareness and the authenticity of their feelings.

Despite this one small flaw, some positive aspects of the book include:

Realistic portrayal of marriage: One of the strengths of the book is its realistic portrayal of marriage. Reid does not shy away from showing the ups and downs of a long-term relationship, including the challenges and struggles that many couples face. This makes the story relatable and authentic

Strong character development: The characters in the book are well-developed and complex, making them feel like real people rather than just fictional constructs.

Thought-provoking themes: The book tackles many thought-provoking themes, including the importance of communication in relationships, the challenges of pursuing one’s dreams while in a partnership, and the question of whether love is enough to sustain a long-term relationship.

BOOK REVIEW: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

May 6, 2023May 4, 2023 / The Legal Alien / Leave a comment

Title: The Idea of You

Author: Robinne Lee

Book Length: 448 pages

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

Read Start Date: March 31, 2023

Read Finish Date: April 9, 2023

Brief Summary of the Plot from Goodreads: EVERYONE IN THE WORLD KNOWS HIS NAME.
BUT IT’S YOU HE WANTS.

At thirty-nine, Solène Marchand is a devoted mother, a dedicated colleague and a considerate ex-wife.

But it’s a long time since she’s felt like herself.

So when someone comes along who seems to see her – to want her – for who she really is, the attraction is instant. And so begins a jet-setting, earth-shattering secret love affair.

But what if that someone is world-famous sex symbol Hayes Campbell? Captivating frontman of boy band of the moment August Moon – whose face is everywhere. Including Solène’s teenage daughter’s bedroom wall.

Can Solène allow herself to fall for the boy the whole world wants?

OR WILL SHE HAVE TO MAKE A DEVASTATING CHOICE..?

My Review: The story follows Solène Marchand, a successful and recently divorced art gallery owner in her 40s, who unexpectedly falls in love with Hayes Campbell, a younger man in his 20s who happens to be a member of a popular boy band.

As their relationship develops, Solène and Hayes must navigate the challenges that come with their age difference, including the disapproval of Solène’s friends and family, as well as the intense scrutiny of the media and the public. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about societal norms and the double standards that exist around age differences in relationships.

I think what I liked most about the book was the love story. The romance scenes are steamy, and the chemistry between the 2 characters is undeniable. The book stayed with me long after I was done reading it, but maybe because the ending was unsatisfactory, albeit realistic.

What prevented me from giving the fifth star was how the novel repeatedly emphasizes the age difference between Solène and Hayes, with Solène frequently reflecting on her insecurities and concerns about dating a younger man. Often referring to him as a “boy.” I found this way too repetitive. Like we get it already.

Secondly, EVERYONE in Solène’s life was constantly saying “what are you doing with him”. She had no support from literally anyone in her life. It just got a little tiring. Basically her friends were telling her that although Hayes was the big love of her life, she wasn’t allowed to be with him because he was younger than her and a celebrity? This also didn’t make sense to me because she live s in L.A….aren’t people there used to having celebrities around? You’d think it would be no big deal.

Overall, The Idea of You is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant novel that is worth a read for fans of contemporary romance. While it may not be perfect, it is still a highly engaging and thought-provoking work that is sure to leave a lasting impression.