Open House [Berg]

Book: Open House
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Reason for Reading: book club
Genre: Nonfiction
Summary: When her husband leaves her after almost 20 years of marriage, 42-year old Samantha faces life after divorce with her 11 year old son, Travis. She takes on a series of roommates in an effort to keep the house and is forced to work outside the home for the first time since she became a mother. This is a book about healing and self discovery.
Christine's Review: This was a quick, easy read. In general, Sam is a likeable heroine. She rides an emotional rollercoaster following her husbands departure and seeks comfort in new friends and various roommates. Which each relationship, she discovers something within herself (trust, ability to love again, etc). She is also able to look at previous relationships (i.e., her mother) and have a new perspective on life. By the end of the book, Sam comes to terms with being divorced, her feelings for her ex and finds new love.

Overall, although a fast read, I found this book a tad boring and predictable. Sam also eats A LOT throughout the book. As I am someone who does not gorge myself in times of stress, I felt almost sick reading about all the calories she was consuming. Additionally, I found her love interest an unrealistic match for her.

Book Junkie's Grade: C