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Significant Others
"I've been searching for a book with female friendships at the heart of it that doesn't feel flippant or melodramatic and I've found it!" —Jennette McCurdy
Two women test how much weight their friendship can hold in this poignant and tender novel.
Roommates since college, Jess and Ren have built a strong—if at times codependent—friendship. Now navigating their late thirties, the women co-own a weathered beachfront home, comother a rescued shelter pup and have inadvertently centered their lives around each other.
Jess is clever and driven with a lucrative career running her own real estate brokerage. Magnetic but aimless, Ren has been making margaritas at the same local dive and teaching dance classes at the same run-down gym for well over a decade. After a one-night stand with a tourist leads to pregnancy, Ren realizes motherhood may be the change she’s been waiting for, and the friends make a plan to raise the child together.
Ren is excitedly pushing toward her due date when the baby’s father resurfaces, forcing Jess to face the foreboding notion that for the first time in eighteen years, they may not want the same thing.
In this stunning debut spanning nine pivotal months in the lives of two very different women, Zoë Eisenberg examines female friendship with emotional precision and offers an intimate look at who we belong to—and why.
Two women test how much weight their friendship can hold in this poignant and tender novel.
Roommates since college, Jess and Ren have built a strong—if at times codependent—friendship. Now navigating their late thirties, the women co-own a weathered beachfront home, comother a rescued shelter pup and have inadvertently centered their lives around each other.
Jess is clever and driven with a lucrative career running her own real estate brokerage. Magnetic but aimless, Ren has been making margaritas at the same local dive and teaching dance classes at the same run-down gym for well over a decade. After a one-night stand with a tourist leads to pregnancy, Ren realizes motherhood may be the change she’s been waiting for, and the friends make a plan to raise the child together.
Ren is excitedly pushing toward her due date when the baby’s father resurfaces, forcing Jess to face the foreboding notion that for the first time in eighteen years, they may not want the same thing.
In this stunning debut spanning nine pivotal months in the lives of two very different women, Zoë Eisenberg examines female friendship with emotional precision and offers an intimate look at who we belong to—and why.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2024
46 people are currently reading
5821 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 9, 2024
At the beginning of this story, it felt so cozy. I loved the idea of this found family and their unconventional living arrangement. They discuss how romantic relationships are seen as more reliable than their decades-long friendship, and even Ren’s brother, who lives with the two of them, thinks Jess must secretly be in love with Ren.
But despite their closeness, this isn’t an idyllic found family. There is so much under the surface of Jess and Ren’s relationship. Like with many relationships (romantic, familial, friendship) that have gone on for many years, every argument has a dozen other arguments bubbling beneath the surface. A lot of their dynamic with each other has been something they’ve passively let develop instead of actually questioning what they want from this relationship and why. The tension between that cozy, comforting notion of building a life together with a friend and the reality of their flawed relationship really got to me. There’s something so beautiful and sad about this story.
If you’re looking for a fluffy story of found family and the power of friendship, this might not be the best choice: it gets into how these relationships are just as fraught as romances. But if you’re looking for a portrait of a complicated relationship between two women, I highly recommend this one.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
But despite their closeness, this isn’t an idyllic found family. There is so much under the surface of Jess and Ren’s relationship. Like with many relationships (romantic, familial, friendship) that have gone on for many years, every argument has a dozen other arguments bubbling beneath the surface. A lot of their dynamic with each other has been something they’ve passively let develop instead of actually questioning what they want from this relationship and why. The tension between that cozy, comforting notion of building a life together with a friend and the reality of their flawed relationship really got to me. There’s something so beautiful and sad about this story.
If you’re looking for a fluffy story of found family and the power of friendship, this might not be the best choice: it gets into how these relationships are just as fraught as romances. But if you’re looking for a portrait of a complicated relationship between two women, I highly recommend this one.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
March 8, 2024
As an aroace woman seriously considering platonic co-parenting I came to this book from an incredibly personal place and that obviously shapes my thoughts about it. There is so little representation-certainly for aromantic identities but also just for family structures that feel at all sustainable to me-that it puts a lot of weight on this kind of book. None of that is the book's fault of course, but I felt it important to flag.
This book generally felt nuanced and thoughtful and I found it very readable, but I was ultimately disappointed, in large part because by the end the novel felt largely disinterested in the central relationship.
(Also want to second what so many others have said, that Ren feels WAY young for a 36 year old. She's literally constantly behaving like a toddler husband and is never called on it? Haunting.)
This book generally felt nuanced and thoughtful and I found it very readable, but I was ultimately disappointed, in large part because by the end the novel felt largely disinterested in the central relationship.
(Also want to second what so many others have said, that Ren feels WAY young for a 36 year old. She's literally constantly behaving like a toddler husband and is never called on it? Haunting.)
March 17, 2024
This was an easy read and truly unlike anything I have ever read. Exploring change, codependency, the depths of friendship, and more. The ending took me by surprise, not in a good or bad way, just a surprise.
February 24, 2024
Everyone is really weird in this book.
June 25, 2024
Wow, this is a DEBUT novel? So good.
I feel like I wish things had turned out differently within the story, but that’s the way it goes in real life too. And I feel like this book mimics that.
I really enjoyed the writing, which I feel is a common thing my friends are mentioning. How there are so many lines to underline and quotes to hold onto. I also liked that it takes place on the Big Island so it's closer to home, and that the story is about a friendship between two women.
At the start of the book, I was definitely feeling a crisis along with the characters, and as the story went on, I felt like their messiness was my messiness, so in that way, I’m happy to be out of it haha The writing made it all too real, which is what we want!
Again, the writing was really the highlight of the book, but also the self reflection I was able to take on... what a book
I feel like I wish things had turned out differently within the story, but that’s the way it goes in real life too. And I feel like this book mimics that.
I really enjoyed the writing, which I feel is a common thing my friends are mentioning. How there are so many lines to underline and quotes to hold onto. I also liked that it takes place on the Big Island so it's closer to home, and that the story is about a friendship between two women.
At the start of the book, I was definitely feeling a crisis along with the characters, and as the story went on, I felt like their messiness was my messiness, so in that way, I’m happy to be out of it haha The writing made it all too real, which is what we want!
Again, the writing was really the highlight of the book, but also the self reflection I was able to take on... what a book
April 30, 2024
Friends shouldn’t date the same man!
November 21, 2023
The ending knocked it from a pretty solid 3 to a 2 star book. Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
March 6, 2024
I want to buy this book purely because this is top 5 favorite book covers I’ve ever seen. I’m obsessed.
As for the contents, I think this would’ve been a 4ish, maybe 4.5, except the ending let me down. I tend to like when contemporary fiction ends in a realistic way, without a happy ever after. That said, this book was so cozy and focused so much on the beauty of female friends being family that the ending didn’t seem to fit the rest of the book. This is the one time I wanted an idealistic ending that shows that kind of family is possible.
I really liked the rest of the book. I think the two main characters had strong voices that were easy to differentiate and the secondary characters were also good. The setting was nice and I think the political issues involved in Hawaii were subtly included in a way that brought awareness but didn’t feel like it was trying to push a political message. The friendship was lovely for the most part. I just really wanted and expected a really healthy, happy female friendship that showed how women can build their lives around each other despite issues they may have in life and within their friendship. Despite the ending, I’d still give it 3.5. Id highly recommend if you aren’t look for a sweet book and want a more realistic story about the struggles within lifelong friendships
As for the contents, I think this would’ve been a 4ish, maybe 4.5, except the ending let me down. I tend to like when contemporary fiction ends in a realistic way, without a happy ever after. That said, this book was so cozy and focused so much on the beauty of female friends being family that the ending didn’t seem to fit the rest of the book. This is the one time I wanted an idealistic ending that shows that kind of family is possible.
I really liked the rest of the book. I think the two main characters had strong voices that were easy to differentiate and the secondary characters were also good. The setting was nice and I think the political issues involved in Hawaii were subtly included in a way that brought awareness but didn’t feel like it was trying to push a political message. The friendship was lovely for the most part. I just really wanted and expected a really healthy, happy female friendship that showed how women can build their lives around each other despite issues they may have in life and within their friendship. Despite the ending, I’d still give it 3.5. Id highly recommend if you aren’t look for a sweet book and want a more realistic story about the struggles within lifelong friendships
February 2, 2024
Significant Others by Zoë Eisenberg. Thanks to @mirabooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jess and Ren have a very close relationship. When Ren gets pregnant, they decide to raise the child together. Then the father resurfaces.
I loved the concept and plot of this one. I usually really enjoy friendship books. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and story. It was a little too slow paced for me.
“She felt like a gift for which I had no one to thank.”
Significant Others comes out 2/6.
Jess and Ren have a very close relationship. When Ren gets pregnant, they decide to raise the child together. Then the father resurfaces.
I loved the concept and plot of this one. I usually really enjoy friendship books. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and story. It was a little too slow paced for me.
“She felt like a gift for which I had no one to thank.”
Significant Others comes out 2/6.
January 11, 2025
This book was eh...it had an interesting premise - 2 strictly platonic, long-time female best friends agreeing to coparent when one surprisingly becomes pregnant, but unfortunately, it kinda went nowhere. Jess and Ren's main character arcs were boring and flat, there wasn't really any growth for their characters either. I did like Theo, Taylor and Quincy but there wasn't enough of them to save the book. Jess kissing Ren randomly, toward the end of the book, was unnecessary to the storyline, especially as it was never mentioned that she had any confusion or doubts about her sexuality or any interest Ren in that way. I'm glad it was an audiobook, listened to on quicker speed, I may have DNF if I was reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2023
Loved this work! The themes of feeling stuck (even in paradise), being thrust into major life changes, the potential ambiguity of queer relating, and the vulnerability of having to define/redefine old relationships were deeply relatable. It was at times discomforting but also tender. I found myself curious about the characters’ inner worlds long after putting it down. A thoughtful antidote to fast fashion literature.
April 18, 2024
A beautiful story about friendship that is almost so close it seems to become suffocating to Jess and Ren, the two women who go back and forth as narrators. I think I honestly would’ve given it 4 stars if the ending had been different but I was probably automatically assuming the idealistic ending would happen, whereas the actual ending written by Eisenberg is likely closer to the reality of what might happen in this complex scenario.
March 23, 2024
I'm very conflicted on how I feel about this book. There were some good parts. I really like the way it highlighted the complexities of friendship as we grow and as we get older. On the other hand, both of the main characters were unbelievably petty and immature throughout a good portion of this novel, so much so that I would pause and be like wait, these two are supposed to be in their late 30s? I would never act like that.
It's funny because when I'm watching a movie and there are characters I don't like or there are plot holes or what have you, I would easily brush that off and say well, it's just a movie. But with books, I expect them to be more realistic. And when you've been friends with someone for 20 years, things can evolve. Things can change so much that they may not always wrap themselves up in a neat and tidy little bow and everything is all sunny and shiny and there's a happy ending. Things don't always have happy endings, and that's where I struggled with this book. Because as the book ended, I found it to be incredibly unrealistic.
A solid three stars. Average.
It's funny because when I'm watching a movie and there are characters I don't like or there are plot holes or what have you, I would easily brush that off and say well, it's just a movie. But with books, I expect them to be more realistic. And when you've been friends with someone for 20 years, things can evolve. Things can change so much that they may not always wrap themselves up in a neat and tidy little bow and everything is all sunny and shiny and there's a happy ending. Things don't always have happy endings, and that's where I struggled with this book. Because as the book ended, I found it to be incredibly unrealistic.
A solid three stars. Average.
May 20, 2024
Jennette Mccurdy reccomend this book on her Instagram & tbh she was right to! I enjoyed.
April 21, 2024
The description included is very apt, and I’m not sure what’s not to like for some readers here.
I found the pace of the novel to be rather languid, but I understand what it’s there to accomplish and within the many sweet moments are heartfelt and meaningfully rendered visuals waiting to be absorbed like so many exquisite beach and jungle views within the wild land in which this debut novel is set. 💛✨
I found the pace of the novel to be rather languid, but I understand what it’s there to accomplish and within the many sweet moments are heartfelt and meaningfully rendered visuals waiting to be absorbed like so many exquisite beach and jungle views within the wild land in which this debut novel is set. 💛✨
July 3, 2024
i don’t know how to feelllll about this book. i’m like soo conflicted about how to rate this book i almost don’t even want to. i felt very confused by the ending and longing for something more but also i feel like that was the point?? this book was messy and confusing while also being simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking at different moments. again i think all of this was intentional. it was meant to be an exploration of the relationship between these two friends and so naturally things would become messy at times because that’s how life really is- messy. so for that i think the job did a really good job at being realistic in its portrayal.
that being said….. i feel like a lot of people, myself included, read books because the stories can be complete and understandable unlike how real life is. this isn’t a romance book but just as an example of my point: romance books can have conflict and betrayal but for the most part everything gets resolved and wrapped up in a nice little bow at the end. books of all genres do this, leaving the reading with a warm and fuzzy feeling or at least a satisfying one that makes them think “i’m glad i read this book.” the difficult thing with writing a book that does not have a neat or desirable ending is that your run the risk of the reading being left with conflicted or even negative feelings upon finishing. this was the case with me after finishing this book.
as i got closer to the end of the book i became increasingly more wary about how the author planned to clean everything up to achieve that “perfect” ending feeling. but when that never happened i was left feeling disappointed but again i think that was kind of the point. i felt with this entire book the author focused on being realistic over anything else and she did achieve that. like when jess was apologizing to ren and she said how did wasn’t even fully sure why she did what she did. i might just be missing something because i do feel like the author hinted at things (i think just them being too codependent?) as for the reason jess betrayed ren. but again it was super obvious to me as a reader why that is which i mean i think is realistic. i would get frustrated because i was like okay so is jess in love with quincy?? is she in love with ren??? but then she admits that it’s neither of those so i was like what is it???? but i think the whole point of not exactly spelling it out is because sometimes people do shitty things for no reason, or for an unclear reason. i think maybe she did it because she knew that subconsciously she was unhappy maybe?? but again i’m not totally sure. but i know i have done things that i regret (maybe not to this extreme lol) and i honestly don’t even know why i did them. i just felt like my brain was malfunctioning or something or maybe i was bored or maybe for no reason at all. as unsatisfactory and annoying as that may be, it happens. and it sucks. and i think that’s the author chose to end the book the way she did because she wanted to portray this feeling in her book. so for that i say the book was successful and then author achieved her desired effect (assuming i am correct in my theory lolll i could be totally off base).
all of that being said, this is not what i was anticipating when i started this book and so i feel very conflicted about it. as realistic as it was, i don’t always read books for their realistic factor. my ratings for books heavily rely on how good i thought the ending was and how it tied the whole thing together. i also base my rating off of how the book made me feel throughout and immediately after finishing. and because the ending wasn’t super ideal i honestly was left feeling really sad and heart broken over the ending. i wanted things to go back to normal and everything be okay and although they have obviously reached some sort of understanding, their relationship will never be the same. which again, was the whole point of the book tbh!!! that doesn’t mean i liked it tho 💔💔 when i read in the epilogue that jess ultimately wasn’t even there when ren gave birth…. that SHATTERED my heart. like omfggg. and now things are weird between them and it makes me sad. and that happened in the fucking epilogue so obviously that’s going to skew how i feel about the book 😭😭😭
that being said….. i feel like a lot of people, myself included, read books because the stories can be complete and understandable unlike how real life is. this isn’t a romance book but just as an example of my point: romance books can have conflict and betrayal but for the most part everything gets resolved and wrapped up in a nice little bow at the end. books of all genres do this, leaving the reading with a warm and fuzzy feeling or at least a satisfying one that makes them think “i’m glad i read this book.” the difficult thing with writing a book that does not have a neat or desirable ending is that your run the risk of the reading being left with conflicted or even negative feelings upon finishing. this was the case with me after finishing this book.
as i got closer to the end of the book i became increasingly more wary about how the author planned to clean everything up to achieve that “perfect” ending feeling. but when that never happened i was left feeling disappointed but again i think that was kind of the point. i felt with this entire book the author focused on being realistic over anything else and she did achieve that. like when jess was apologizing to ren and she said how did wasn’t even fully sure why she did what she did. i might just be missing something because i do feel like the author hinted at things (i think just them being too codependent?) as for the reason jess betrayed ren. but again it was super obvious to me as a reader why that is which i mean i think is realistic. i would get frustrated because i was like okay so is jess in love with quincy?? is she in love with ren??? but then she admits that it’s neither of those so i was like what is it???? but i think the whole point of not exactly spelling it out is because sometimes people do shitty things for no reason, or for an unclear reason. i think maybe she did it because she knew that subconsciously she was unhappy maybe?? but again i’m not totally sure. but i know i have done things that i regret (maybe not to this extreme lol) and i honestly don’t even know why i did them. i just felt like my brain was malfunctioning or something or maybe i was bored or maybe for no reason at all. as unsatisfactory and annoying as that may be, it happens. and it sucks. and i think that’s the author chose to end the book the way she did because she wanted to portray this feeling in her book. so for that i say the book was successful and then author achieved her desired effect (assuming i am correct in my theory lolll i could be totally off base).
all of that being said, this is not what i was anticipating when i started this book and so i feel very conflicted about it. as realistic as it was, i don’t always read books for their realistic factor. my ratings for books heavily rely on how good i thought the ending was and how it tied the whole thing together. i also base my rating off of how the book made me feel throughout and immediately after finishing. and because the ending wasn’t super ideal i honestly was left feeling really sad and heart broken over the ending. i wanted things to go back to normal and everything be okay and although they have obviously reached some sort of understanding, their relationship will never be the same. which again, was the whole point of the book tbh!!! that doesn’t mean i liked it tho 💔💔 when i read in the epilogue that jess ultimately wasn’t even there when ren gave birth…. that SHATTERED my heart. like omfggg. and now things are weird between them and it makes me sad. and that happened in the fucking epilogue so obviously that’s going to skew how i feel about the book 😭😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
I saw this book recommended by Jeannette McCurdy as a celebration of female friendship. I felt like that was something I needed in my life! The thing I appreciated most about this book was its honesty and realistic insights to the feminine experience. While it's not typically what I choose to read, I appreciate that this book did not have the type of ending where everything wraps up perfectly in a bow. The choices the characters make have real consequences that affect their relationships. I gave this book 4 stars because 3 felt like a low blow, and even though I enjoyed this book, it did take me some time to get through. I found moments throughout the book to be relatable but did not overly love the characters or feel connected to the moments in the story.
December 4, 2023
The plot of this first novel is original, but the writing could be better. Jess and Ren have been more than friends since they first met as Freshman roommates at the University of Hawaii. They are now, almost 20 years later, living in Hawaii in a house that Jess bought.
Jess is a successful realtor, while Ren is a bartender who drinks and a part-time aerobics instructor who lives like a slob. She and Jess, although their relationship is platonic, are more like family, with Jess caring for Ren both financially and in cleaning up after her. Both women have no living parents, though Ren has a brother (who also lives with them.)
One drunken night, Ren sleeps with a visitor to the bar that Jess had first been attracted to. Since this is chick lit, you can guess what happens. Ren becomes pregnant and the plot spins into being. So far, so good. It's an original idea as the women plot out their future, raising a child together. But then....you can guess what happens.
What drove me up the wall was Eisenberg's repetitive descriptions of Jess, who in times of anxiety, has a chest full of bees, or feels a buzzing inside her rib cage, or has some other symptom of being invaded internally by a hive. After a while, this became an irritant.
Of the two, Jess is much more three-dimensional while Ren is much flimsier a character. It made the book feel too lengthy and repetitive. Perhaps others will not be bothered by my reservations as the story is original. I would wish for better editing next time around for Zoe Eisenberg.
Thank you NetGalley and HaarperCollins for the chance to read and review this book.
Jess is a successful realtor, while Ren is a bartender who drinks and a part-time aerobics instructor who lives like a slob. She and Jess, although their relationship is platonic, are more like family, with Jess caring for Ren both financially and in cleaning up after her. Both women have no living parents, though Ren has a brother (who also lives with them.)
One drunken night, Ren sleeps with a visitor to the bar that Jess had first been attracted to. Since this is chick lit, you can guess what happens. Ren becomes pregnant and the plot spins into being. So far, so good. It's an original idea as the women plot out their future, raising a child together. But then....you can guess what happens.
What drove me up the wall was Eisenberg's repetitive descriptions of Jess, who in times of anxiety, has a chest full of bees, or feels a buzzing inside her rib cage, or has some other symptom of being invaded internally by a hive. After a while, this became an irritant.
Of the two, Jess is much more three-dimensional while Ren is much flimsier a character. It made the book feel too lengthy and repetitive. Perhaps others will not be bothered by my reservations as the story is original. I would wish for better editing next time around for Zoe Eisenberg.
Thank you NetGalley and HaarperCollins for the chance to read and review this book.
March 7, 2024
This novel!
Jess and Ren met their first day at the University of Hawai’i and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They’re now 36 and co-own a house in Hilo; Ren’s older brother, Theo, is their third roommate. The trio has become one another’s chosen family, with Jess and Theo acting as the more organized parent-types (Jess cleans, Theo cooks, both make good money as real estate agents) and Ren as their charming but aimless daughter (she’s something of a slob and splits her time between working as a fitness instructor, which she likes, and a bartender, which she doesn’t). When Ren gets pregnant from a one night stand, she decides to keep the baby—and she and Jess agree they’ll raise him together.
In the months leading up to Ren’s due date, the father Quincy comes back into the picture—and Jess and Ren make decisions that will force them to reassess their relationships with Quincy, the baby, and one another.
Zoe Eisenberg treated both Jess and Ren with such patience and kindness as they fumbled their way through their delayed coming-of-age. You’re rooting for them throughout the novel: that they’ll remain in one another’s lives, yes, but also that they’ll find healthy ways to fully, finally stand on their own.
An excellent debut with layered characters, a gorgeous setting, and entrancing writing.
Jess and Ren met their first day at the University of Hawai’i and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They’re now 36 and co-own a house in Hilo; Ren’s older brother, Theo, is their third roommate. The trio has become one another’s chosen family, with Jess and Theo acting as the more organized parent-types (Jess cleans, Theo cooks, both make good money as real estate agents) and Ren as their charming but aimless daughter (she’s something of a slob and splits her time between working as a fitness instructor, which she likes, and a bartender, which she doesn’t). When Ren gets pregnant from a one night stand, she decides to keep the baby—and she and Jess agree they’ll raise him together.
In the months leading up to Ren’s due date, the father Quincy comes back into the picture—and Jess and Ren make decisions that will force them to reassess their relationships with Quincy, the baby, and one another.
Zoe Eisenberg treated both Jess and Ren with such patience and kindness as they fumbled their way through their delayed coming-of-age. You’re rooting for them throughout the novel: that they’ll remain in one another’s lives, yes, but also that they’ll find healthy ways to fully, finally stand on their own.
An excellent debut with layered characters, a gorgeous setting, and entrancing writing.
March 20, 2024
3.5 because I have to write my own ending. Loved seeing a story like this and exploring love and all kinds of family units that can result. Wish it would’ve ended hopefully, though. Maybe just don’t read the epilogue and write your own 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2024
This book broke me.
Honestly, I'm a bit tired of queer stories that end unhappily, but this just felt so well done. Reading it felt like watching a play. Jess and Ren were so well-developed. It's awesome to have characters that are kind of problematic--especially love them being like "I know it's wrong but damnit it's how I feel." The symbolism was a bit on-the-nose/overexplained but that's fine.
My main complaint was that I felt Jess and Quincy's romance was underdeveloped, but that was sorted at the end when it was clear that Jess wasn't ever in love with him and was really just using him.
There's not much plot, but the characters are really well-done. This is just a book about change and heartbreak and endings. It's about relationships unraveling. The pushing to make things work but the inevitability of them not.
Honestly, I'm a bit tired of queer stories that end unhappily, but this just felt so well done. Reading it felt like watching a play. Jess and Ren were so well-developed. It's awesome to have characters that are kind of problematic--especially love them being like "I know it's wrong but damnit it's how I feel." The symbolism was a bit on-the-nose/overexplained but that's fine.
My main complaint was that I felt Jess and Quincy's romance was underdeveloped, but that was sorted at the end when it was clear that Jess wasn't ever in love with him and was really just using him.
There's not much plot, but the characters are really well-done. This is just a book about change and heartbreak and endings. It's about relationships unraveling. The pushing to make things work but the inevitability of them not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
not my kind of book...(a little weird for me)
June 19, 2024
Significant Others has us meeting Jess and Ren, two women in their mid-30s, who have been friends since college and are now living together on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Ren becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with a tourist and in the aftermath of this news Jess and Ren try to move forward as co-parents of Ren's incoming child. When the baby daddy Quincy comes back into the picture their idea of what their family will look like slowly starts to change.
Things I enjoyed: the scenery of Hawaiʻi Island, the early glimpses of Ren and Jess's friendship, and the show of non-nuclear family arrangements. I also think that the book was realistic in its depiction of long-term friendships, how our relationships change as we get older, and how sometimes these relationships can hold us back.
Things I did not enjoy: I felt like some of random comments on Native Hawaiian issues felt forced at times and while I am glad that the author included these current events in the novel it felt disconnected from the plot and almost an after thought. You cannot talk about Hawaiʻi without talking about Native Hawaiians and colonization but there was a disconnect with the way this was done. I did not like the ending of this book. It was quite painful and sad and I honestly am still reeling from it. It felt like we were left with unfinished business (I cannot say more without giving away major spoilers). Obviously life is like that sometimes, but I was hoping that this book would be a positive show of what found family dynamics can look like.
Overall, Eisenberg's writing is enjoyable! Since I enjoyed her writing style I would be interested in reading any future novels she writes. On the other hand, Significant Others just was not for me and I really wish the ending had been different.
Things I enjoyed: the scenery of Hawaiʻi Island, the early glimpses of Ren and Jess's friendship, and the show of non-nuclear family arrangements. I also think that the book was realistic in its depiction of long-term friendships, how our relationships change as we get older, and how sometimes these relationships can hold us back.
Things I did not enjoy: I felt like some of random comments on Native Hawaiian issues felt forced at times and while I am glad that the author included these current events in the novel it felt disconnected from the plot and almost an after thought. You cannot talk about Hawaiʻi without talking about Native Hawaiians and colonization but there was a disconnect with the way this was done. I did not like the ending of this book. It was quite painful and sad and I honestly am still reeling from it. It felt like we were left with unfinished business (I cannot say more without giving away major spoilers). Obviously life is like that sometimes, but I was hoping that this book would be a positive show of what found family dynamics can look like.
Overall, Eisenberg's writing is enjoyable! Since I enjoyed her writing style I would be interested in reading any future novels she writes. On the other hand, Significant Others just was not for me and I really wish the ending had been different.
July 24, 2024
Read this book for my book club (…for June hehe finally finished it!). Even when busy seasons of life came, it was quite an easy read to just pick up any time I had 5 minutes to spare still.
It was cozy from the start, but did noooot end that way…the only coziness that remained for me was the setting. The familiarity of the island of Hawai’i and nuances to the local culture splattered throughout the book were like gentle hand squeezes. There were scenes that were so reminiscent of things that happened in my life, it was quite a visceral read and because of that, it was not the ending that I’d imagined it would have (as I had read it in my “reading to escape” mindset). The messes that the characters made throughout this book made me ache for resolve, yet the ending made me feel the same way I did when I watched the ending of the movie La La Land. In other words, the author kept it real. She did a wonderful job with her writing, with many memorable lines that put into words so many feelings that I’ve felt before, especially about relationships with other people. This book made me want to read others that are set in Hawai’i!
It was cozy from the start, but did noooot end that way…the only coziness that remained for me was the setting. The familiarity of the island of Hawai’i and nuances to the local culture splattered throughout the book were like gentle hand squeezes. There were scenes that were so reminiscent of things that happened in my life, it was quite a visceral read and because of that, it was not the ending that I’d imagined it would have (as I had read it in my “reading to escape” mindset). The messes that the characters made throughout this book made me ache for resolve, yet the ending made me feel the same way I did when I watched the ending of the movie La La Land. In other words, the author kept it real. She did a wonderful job with her writing, with many memorable lines that put into words so many feelings that I’ve felt before, especially about relationships with other people. This book made me want to read others that are set in Hawai’i!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2025
i love that this story focused on adult best friends, who continued on with their college-like codependency for 10+ year into adulthood. Significant Others explores how the intimacy and closeness of that kind of love changes over time, and how without intentionality, reflection, and communication the dynamic can be stifling.
for Jess and Ren, Quincy served as a means to achieve something neither really knew they were seeking — independence, autonomy, and something to call their own (in the form of a secret lover, a baby).
the ending was very rushed to me, especially given that it wasn’t what i was expecting. i would have given four stars if the twist was more thoroughly explored. while it is easy enough to imagine the conversation between Jess and Ren, the major reconciliation was left to the readers’ imagination and that was a disappointment to me and added to the rushed feeling.
for Jess and Ren, Quincy served as a means to achieve something neither really knew they were seeking — independence, autonomy, and something to call their own (in the form of a secret lover, a baby).
the ending was very rushed to me, especially given that it wasn’t what i was expecting. i would have given four stars if the twist was more thoroughly explored. while it is easy enough to imagine the conversation between Jess and Ren, the major reconciliation was left to the readers’ imagination and that was a disappointment to me and added to the rushed feeling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
This was a solid read about friendship and what makes a family. I appreciated the realness of the characters. I’ve also never read a book set in Hawaii so I really enjoyed that setting. All of the characters seemed much younger than mid-thirties to me. This book also felt a bit slow and meandering, and the ending felt very unresolved. I enjoyed this one but felt it was missing more depth in the plot.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
June 26, 2024
This story made me uncomfortable, but in one of the best ways possible. Let me explain.
I purchased this book to read to prepare for an event where Zoë Eisenberg will be speaking and wanted to make sure I read her debut novel before attending. The premise made me uncomfortable, given I am someone who gets antsy around complicated relationships, drama, and the act that essentially kicks off the story (I'm on the asexual spectrum).
Through the first half of the story, I was cringing as the drama ensued and undulated -- mental agonies unsaid between friends. "Just SAY what's wrong!" I found myself thinking, frustrated with how easy the problems could have been solved if the characters sat down and spoke to each other like adults. But as my thoughts continued like that, as my eyes took in the words, page after page, it dawned upon me. The reason why I was frustrated: in the midst of a story in which the premise surrounds an act I am uncomfortable with, I was feeling empathy. Empathy for the toil of self-worth, confidence, the desire to feel wanted but not needed -- all very human emotions, emotions that the story's characters were actively working through throughout this story.
That's when my discomfort with the story turned into affection. While I wouldn't necessarily do the same things the characters did, I could understand why the things happened in the story the way that they did. As Catherine Newman describes this story, it is "intimately raw and hopeful." Now that I've read the book and overlooked my hyperfixation on my own discomfort, I wholeheartedly agree. The story itself is incredibly human, and I think this is one of my favorite debut novels I've read this year.
I purchased this book to read to prepare for an event where Zoë Eisenberg will be speaking and wanted to make sure I read her debut novel before attending. The premise made me uncomfortable, given I am someone who gets antsy around complicated relationships, drama, and the act that essentially kicks off the story (I'm on the asexual spectrum).
Through the first half of the story, I was cringing as the drama ensued and undulated -- mental agonies unsaid between friends. "Just SAY what's wrong!" I found myself thinking, frustrated with how easy the problems could have been solved if the characters sat down and spoke to each other like adults. But as my thoughts continued like that, as my eyes took in the words, page after page, it dawned upon me. The reason why I was frustrated: in the midst of a story in which the premise surrounds an act I am uncomfortable with, I was feeling empathy. Empathy for the toil of self-worth, confidence, the desire to feel wanted but not needed -- all very human emotions, emotions that the story's characters were actively working through throughout this story.
That's when my discomfort with the story turned into affection. While I wouldn't necessarily do the same things the characters did, I could understand why the things happened in the story the way that they did. As Catherine Newman describes this story, it is "intimately raw and hopeful." Now that I've read the book and overlooked my hyperfixation on my own discomfort, I wholeheartedly agree. The story itself is incredibly human, and I think this is one of my favorite debut novels I've read this year.
March 10, 2024
Really and truly recommend! As we get older as women, female friendships become more and more important and it’s SUCH a treat to dive into a representation that isn’t saccharine or reliant on tired tropes. This book made me think about my own perceptions of “success” and being intentional about my next steps in life in a way that was needed at exactly this moment.
It’s an easy read but make it with substance. It made my heart ache while also keeping me very entertained. A beautiful book that I see myself reading at different stages of my life.
It’s an easy read but make it with substance. It made my heart ache while also keeping me very entertained. A beautiful book that I see myself reading at different stages of my life.
March 30, 2024
What a beautiful story about friends that feel more like partners. And that cover!
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