It comes as no surprise to either Lauren or Ryan that they are at a crossroads in their marriage. In fact, if they are honest with themselves, they’ve been struggling, with resentment and anger cresting like a slow wave, for months now. As they are finally forced to acknowledge their painful situation, they strike a condition — an unusual, creative test of a sort — to try to determine their future together. Will this work? Will this test drive them further apart? Or will it, as they hope, bring them back together?
After reading a few of Reid’s books, I have come to understand that her gift is writing about relationships. She has the uncanny ability of being able to create warmth between characters so palpable that is seems to rise up from the pages of the book. I think that’s why I enjoy her writing so much. Present here also is her signature use of an alternative medium of writing, using emails between characters to serve as an inspired means of allowing the reader to dive deeper into their hearts.
In truth, this book is really a light, beach read-type book. It’s a love story, with sunny, quirky characters, and a few entertaining subplots that push the story forward. In fact, there are a few details missing that I find odd. For example, we never learn what Ryan actually does for a living – and he’s a pretty significant character. I don’t know why that is. And when Lauren goes to work (we do know what she does), we rarely hear about the work that she does. Just an interesting and strange thing.
But that said, it is a fun, light, summer read that is a good antidote to all that is surrounding us at the moment, so I say, go for it! Good therapeutic distraction!
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