We’re just ambling through summer, so let’s get into what I’ve been reading lately!
–Marissa
Someone Else’s Husband by Kimberly McCreight is a suspense novel that toggles between the brutal murder in New York City of Frankie, an aspiring artist, and her summit, along with a climbing group of Kilimanjaro. We have love triangles, secrets, climbing drama and a cadre of characters where you don’t know who to trust. I tore through this one and it kept me guessing and engaged throughout!
An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeson is so in my wheelhouse… a historical fiction novel set during the 1960s space race, mostly centering on the role of the astronauts wives. Instead of a tick tock of the Apollo missions, this truly dives into the relationship between Vivian and her husband Joe (the astronaut)… the courtship, the marriage, the struggles, and how Vivian copes when communication from Joe’s capsule abruptly cuts off. In short, she feels that she’s still getting messages from Joe that he’s still alive. This really is much more of a romance than a “historical fiction”, focusing on love, ambition, a mystery, and of course, the space race.
Alan Opts Out by Courtney Maum was an absolute riot from start to finish! Alan is an ad man, and after a terrible pitch meeting, just decides to… quit the rat race and start living in their lavish Connecticut backyard. His wife, Vivian… not a fan of this, as she is desperately trying to get into the most elite social club in town. This is droll and sharp, pokes fun at our current culture of hustle, keeping up with the Joneses, and loops in just some hilarious vignettes of social climbing, off-gridding, and a family that may or may not be imploding. This was a ball!
Helpless by Jessica Knoll is her newest psychological thriller following Faye as she returns from her career in LA to attend the funeral of her mentor… who happens to be the uncle of her most intense college relationship (and breakup). When Faye and Henry meet up again, we’re thrust into a kidnapping, a thriller, a toxic relationship, a psychosexual twisty plot, obsession, murder, you name it. This one was a wild ride and I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending!
I Want You to Be Happy by Jem Calder is a debut novel about situationship (yeah, not a relationship) between 35-year-old Chuck and 23-year-old Joey. She’s a barista, he’s a copywriter, and both of them are going through some stuff (a breakup, career doubts, etc.) when they meet up, then keep meeting up without really advancing things. This definitely made me feel for those trying to date and settle down in this new era of digital connectivity, messaging, social media and just generalized anxiety. Short but impactful if you’re looking for more Sally Rooney than Emily Henry.
stubbornsunshine.com 