Two decades have passed since Callie Kingman begrudgingly followed her husband, Thomas, across the country in pursuit of his career at the expense of her own. Today, Callie is an empty nester with no job prospects, a declining mother, and a spouse who announces his intention to leave her—in Sacramento, the dullest city in America. His parting potshot: “It’s not me, it’s you.”
Taking to bed, Callie relies on delivery for food, her neighbor for booze, and her college best friend for commiseration. When an overdue annual exam leads to a health scare, Callie is forced to contend with her fractured and unfulfilled life by revisiting the vibrant, indomitable woman she used to be.
From her idyllic years at Princeton and an extraordinary first love to the pressures all women face to strive, serve, and be sexy as hell, once again she’s face-to-face with it all. Callie is running for her life, determined to forge a path ahead that is better than the one she’s leaving behind.
About The Author
My Review
This book begins with a devastating blow: Callie Kingman’s husband, Thomas, reveals he’s leaving her for someone else—and that they’re expecting a child. Callie, who sacrificed her journalism career to follow Thomas to Sacramento, faces the collapse of the life she thought she wanted. A health scare propels her from grief into a reckoning, forcing her to confront who she truly wants to be.
Unfortunately, Callie’s journey doesn’t land as strongly as it could. Unlike the strong, spirited women typically found in this writing duo’s previous works, Callie often comes across as passive and pitiful, making it hard to fully invest in her story. Her reconnection with an old love further complicates matters, as he lacks the charm or relatability needed to make their romance compelling.
While the book contains glimpses of heartfelt emotion and personal growth, the characters’ dynamics and pacing struggle to maintain engagement. Fans of the authors’ more uplifting and witty novels may find this entry disappointing, though it’s clear the writers’ talent still shines through. I’ll be curious to see how they bounce back in future projects.
My Rating
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