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Pretty Little World
On a cozy street in Philadelphia, three neighboring families have become the best of friends. They can’t imagine life without one another—until one family outgrows their tiny row house. In a bid to stay together, a crazy idea is born: What if they tear down the walls between their homes and live together under one roof? And so an experiment begins.
Celia and Mark now have the space they need. But is this really what Celia’s increasingly distant husband wants? Stephanie embraces the idea of one big, happy family, but has she considered how it may exacerbate the stark differences between her and her husband, Chris? While Hope always wanted a larger family with Leo, will caring for all the children really satisfy that need?
Behind closed doors, they strive to preserve the closeness they treasure. But when boundaries are blurred, they are forced to question their choices…and reimagine the true meaning of family.
Celia and Mark now have the space they need. But is this really what Celia’s increasingly distant husband wants? Stephanie embraces the idea of one big, happy family, but has she considered how it may exacerbate the stark differences between her and her husband, Chris? While Hope always wanted a larger family with Leo, will caring for all the children really satisfy that need?
Behind closed doors, they strive to preserve the closeness they treasure. But when boundaries are blurred, they are forced to question their choices…and reimagine the true meaning of family.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2017
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April 23, 2017
Three families enjoy living next to one another in row houses. They each have young children and and often chip in to help each other out. One family announces that they are in need of more space and that they are going to put their house on the market. The two other families are heartbroken. One of the women comes up with an idea to knock the walls down between the houses. This will provide everyone with more space and help with logistic issues as it relates to their children.
At first, the families are not keen on the idea of “communal” living. They all mull the idea over and then circumstances change shifting the families mindsets into agreeing to this unconventional living situation. Once the walls are removed, chaos slowly ensues among the adults as secrets are kept and boundaries are crossed. They all begin to obtain different perspectives about one another and themselves.
I was intrigued by the concept of the book. I live on a small street and would be heartbroken if one of my neighbors moved away since we have great relationships. The book grabs your attention as it examines male/female relationships, raising children, and the bond of marriage in a non traditional setting. This is a joint novel from two authors, and I look forward to more works from this partnership.
$1.99 on digital platforms https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Little-...
At first, the families are not keen on the idea of “communal” living. They all mull the idea over and then circumstances change shifting the families mindsets into agreeing to this unconventional living situation. Once the walls are removed, chaos slowly ensues among the adults as secrets are kept and boundaries are crossed. They all begin to obtain different perspectives about one another and themselves.
I was intrigued by the concept of the book. I live on a small street and would be heartbroken if one of my neighbors moved away since we have great relationships. The book grabs your attention as it examines male/female relationships, raising children, and the bond of marriage in a non traditional setting. This is a joint novel from two authors, and I look forward to more works from this partnership.
$1.99 on digital platforms https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Little-...
February 7, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
The idea of a communal family intrigued me right away, maybe because it’s so far out of my own comfort zone and something I would NEVER consider in a million years. Six friends and neighbors decide to go ahead and take a chance after one family wants to move in order to have more space. This was such a compulsive read for me, I was surprised by how quickly I was wrapped up in their lives.
There are seven different points of view here, I know that sounds like too many, but it truly works seamlessly here. Mark and Celia have three kids and both have demanding careers. They are the ones that initially want to move, but they change their minds after Mark has a serious health scare. Stephanie and Chris have one child and both work as well. They’re happy with their son as an only child, but also intrigued by the idea of giving him a larger, untraditional family. Hope and Leo also have one daughter and Leo is a sommelier while Hope stays at home. They’ve been trying to have another child for two years and are thrilled to expand their family anyway they can. Lastly, there is Nikki the new neighbor on their block.
Of course things get messy and complicated pretty fast, but the way things got muddled shocked me. Lines get blurred and boundaries get crossed as three separate families try to merge into one. Large family dynamics are very different than those of a single family unit, and many relationships are put to the test. The women have always been extremely close, but events drive a wedge between them. The men love to get together for a beer or an occasional guys night out, but when things get complex, they feel the after effects as well. Then there are the always convoluted male and female relationships, especially when secrets are being shared, and NOT always between spouses.
This was a provocative read, but one with heart and great characterization. It explores parenthood, marriage, work woes and friendships, all in an interesting way. What truly defines a family? Can a non traditional family really work, to the benefit of both the adults and the children? This is especially difficult as they’re keeping this arrangement under wraps in order to avoid judgment. This was one that grabbed me from the start, at no point did I want to put it down. I’m wowed that this was LeBan and DePino’s first collaboration and am desperately hoping it’s not their last!
The idea of a communal family intrigued me right away, maybe because it’s so far out of my own comfort zone and something I would NEVER consider in a million years. Six friends and neighbors decide to go ahead and take a chance after one family wants to move in order to have more space. This was such a compulsive read for me, I was surprised by how quickly I was wrapped up in their lives.
There are seven different points of view here, I know that sounds like too many, but it truly works seamlessly here. Mark and Celia have three kids and both have demanding careers. They are the ones that initially want to move, but they change their minds after Mark has a serious health scare. Stephanie and Chris have one child and both work as well. They’re happy with their son as an only child, but also intrigued by the idea of giving him a larger, untraditional family. Hope and Leo also have one daughter and Leo is a sommelier while Hope stays at home. They’ve been trying to have another child for two years and are thrilled to expand their family anyway they can. Lastly, there is Nikki the new neighbor on their block.
Of course things get messy and complicated pretty fast, but the way things got muddled shocked me. Lines get blurred and boundaries get crossed as three separate families try to merge into one. Large family dynamics are very different than those of a single family unit, and many relationships are put to the test. The women have always been extremely close, but events drive a wedge between them. The men love to get together for a beer or an occasional guys night out, but when things get complex, they feel the after effects as well. Then there are the always convoluted male and female relationships, especially when secrets are being shared, and NOT always between spouses.
This was a provocative read, but one with heart and great characterization. It explores parenthood, marriage, work woes and friendships, all in an interesting way. What truly defines a family? Can a non traditional family really work, to the benefit of both the adults and the children? This is especially difficult as they’re keeping this arrangement under wraps in order to avoid judgment. This was one that grabbed me from the start, at no point did I want to put it down. I’m wowed that this was LeBan and DePino’s first collaboration and am desperately hoping it’s not their last!
January 18, 2017
3.5 stars.
Pretty Little World by Elizabeth LeBan and Melissa DePino is about three families who live side by side in narrow houses with a basement and a few stories to them. It all begins when a burst water pipe causes a crisis and a gap between two of the houses, and the plan is born. Knock down the walls of the main street floor and turn it into communal living, with each family having their own floors above separate. And quickly and with no hiccups it is done.
The couples were interesting, although I have to say I had to have written in front of me who was married to whom and.... ah who had their eye on whom! Celia and Mark have three children and just so need to sell up and move to a bigger house. As well as the burst water pipe this is the catalyst for the idea to remove the walls. They are also not really getting along swimmingly with each other.
Leo and Hope are another couple. Leo loves to cook, Hope wants another child but isn't having any success. They also don't seem to be all of what a happy couple is about. Stephanie and Chris make up the third couple. Stephanie is an organizer, she has her own business for that. Chris is not that happy in his job and is wanting change.
So how does this commune like living go? Well suffice it to say it has its advantages and disadvantages. There is a sense of community among them, but little cracks keep appearing. Some crises bring them together and some send them apart.
All of them seem to be in mid life crisis, none of them struck me as happy or fulfilled. I couldn't see any satisfaction in life or their partners. They didn't communicate well with the right people and I often wondered how they had all ended up like this.
The ending was interesting but not particularly satisfying for this reader. I just felt no real growth or progress had been made by any of the characters and I couldn't see how life was going to improve for them in the future.
A well written book that did make me think and would make a great book club book. I am sure it would engender much discussion.
Pretty Little World by Elizabeth LeBan and Melissa DePino is about three families who live side by side in narrow houses with a basement and a few stories to them. It all begins when a burst water pipe causes a crisis and a gap between two of the houses, and the plan is born. Knock down the walls of the main street floor and turn it into communal living, with each family having their own floors above separate. And quickly and with no hiccups it is done.
The couples were interesting, although I have to say I had to have written in front of me who was married to whom and.... ah who had their eye on whom! Celia and Mark have three children and just so need to sell up and move to a bigger house. As well as the burst water pipe this is the catalyst for the idea to remove the walls. They are also not really getting along swimmingly with each other.
Leo and Hope are another couple. Leo loves to cook, Hope wants another child but isn't having any success. They also don't seem to be all of what a happy couple is about. Stephanie and Chris make up the third couple. Stephanie is an organizer, she has her own business for that. Chris is not that happy in his job and is wanting change.
So how does this commune like living go? Well suffice it to say it has its advantages and disadvantages. There is a sense of community among them, but little cracks keep appearing. Some crises bring them together and some send them apart.
All of them seem to be in mid life crisis, none of them struck me as happy or fulfilled. I couldn't see any satisfaction in life or their partners. They didn't communicate well with the right people and I often wondered how they had all ended up like this.
The ending was interesting but not particularly satisfying for this reader. I just felt no real growth or progress had been made by any of the characters and I couldn't see how life was going to improve for them in the future.
A well written book that did make me think and would make a great book club book. I am sure it would engender much discussion.
January 31, 2019
I've written this review for Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Check out my video book review! https://youtu.be/hmtcJt4PIoI
I was Really Into This book. I love a good slumber party & I’ve often thought how awesome it would be if I had my favorite people with me all the time. Like, if I could get my best friends to live next door to me, that would be EVERYTHING.
Well, that’s exactly what three families do in this book. They live in row houses stacked against each other & when one family wants to say, “See ya!” to the neighborhood to get more space, the other two families step in & come up with a crazy idea to take down their bottom floor walls & share a communal living space.
Now, I know a lot of folks would be like, “Heck, no,” but hear me out- this actually works well for these three families- at first. There’s Celia & Mark- she works all the time & he just had a major health scare & is now becoming distant towards his family. There’s Stephanie & Chris- she’s a professional organizer who loves yoga & seems like she’d be fun at Happy Hour, while he likes to pick the kids up from school, likes routines & traditions & isn’t very happy with his job right now. Last, there’s Hope & Leo- Leo knows all about food & good wine, but he’s not really present for family time, while Hope is a stay at home Mom & relishes in her new role as, “Mommy Hope” to all the children.
This book has everything I love; relationships, secrets, family/work life issues, parenting issues, friendships, affairs, pregnancies- I was REALLY into it. It’s got heart, it kept my attention, it’s a quick read & one you definitely want to talk about with your girlfriends & read again on a rainy day. I want this book to be a TV family drama, like Parenthood. It’s really great & it’s out today.
Special thanks to Elizabeth LaBan, Melissa DePino, Lake Union Publishing & NetGalley for providing my copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Check out my video book review! https://youtu.be/hmtcJt4PIoI
I was Really Into This book. I love a good slumber party & I’ve often thought how awesome it would be if I had my favorite people with me all the time. Like, if I could get my best friends to live next door to me, that would be EVERYTHING.
Well, that’s exactly what three families do in this book. They live in row houses stacked against each other & when one family wants to say, “See ya!” to the neighborhood to get more space, the other two families step in & come up with a crazy idea to take down their bottom floor walls & share a communal living space.
Now, I know a lot of folks would be like, “Heck, no,” but hear me out- this actually works well for these three families- at first. There’s Celia & Mark- she works all the time & he just had a major health scare & is now becoming distant towards his family. There’s Stephanie & Chris- she’s a professional organizer who loves yoga & seems like she’d be fun at Happy Hour, while he likes to pick the kids up from school, likes routines & traditions & isn’t very happy with his job right now. Last, there’s Hope & Leo- Leo knows all about food & good wine, but he’s not really present for family time, while Hope is a stay at home Mom & relishes in her new role as, “Mommy Hope” to all the children.
This book has everything I love; relationships, secrets, family/work life issues, parenting issues, friendships, affairs, pregnancies- I was REALLY into it. It’s got heart, it kept my attention, it’s a quick read & one you definitely want to talk about with your girlfriends & read again on a rainy day. I want this book to be a TV family drama, like Parenthood. It’s really great & it’s out today.
Special thanks to Elizabeth LaBan, Melissa DePino, Lake Union Publishing & NetGalley for providing my copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
February 7, 2017
Really struggled with this one... if I could describe this book with one word it would be: Bland
This was an interesting concept for a story. Kind of a modern day commune type situation. Three couples who are best friends decide to share their living spaces by tearing down the walls that separate their connected homes. Yep, they are going to take care of each others kids, share the cooking, and... other things.
My problem with the book was (in my opinion) it lacked good character development and there was no emotional depth. The characters came across as shallow as a result.
The story definitely needed some editing in regards to the flow and content of the conversations between characters. One example that I can give that stands out because it occurred at the end was the peculiar emphasis on making meatballs. It was odd... and I guess I didn't get it.
In the beginning they have a huge water leak. The guys go off to play golf because it was one of the guys birthday. The water leak can wait? I've had water leaks in my house. It's a disaster that requires immediate attention. Instead the men were playing golf and the ladies were drinking mimosas. Again... odd...
But please don't take my word for it. I admit to being very picky with the books I read. And, there are a few 5 star reviews for this one. So, please go give those a read before you decide if this is the book for you.
I do hate when I don't like a book. But, that's the way it goes.
ARC copy was provided by the publisher.
This was an interesting concept for a story. Kind of a modern day commune type situation. Three couples who are best friends decide to share their living spaces by tearing down the walls that separate their connected homes. Yep, they are going to take care of each others kids, share the cooking, and... other things.
My problem with the book was (in my opinion) it lacked good character development and there was no emotional depth. The characters came across as shallow as a result.
The story definitely needed some editing in regards to the flow and content of the conversations between characters. One example that I can give that stands out because it occurred at the end was the peculiar emphasis on making meatballs. It was odd... and I guess I didn't get it.
In the beginning they have a huge water leak. The guys go off to play golf because it was one of the guys birthday. The water leak can wait? I've had water leaks in my house. It's a disaster that requires immediate attention. Instead the men were playing golf and the ladies were drinking mimosas. Again... odd...
But please don't take my word for it. I admit to being very picky with the books I read. And, there are a few 5 star reviews for this one. So, please go give those a read before you decide if this is the book for you.
I do hate when I don't like a book. But, that's the way it goes.
ARC copy was provided by the publisher.
February 6, 2017
Review
This book had the great quality of making me supremely uncomfortable. I know that sounds really weird but I love books that kind of push the way I think, what is right and wrong and who I relate to. Pretty Little World definitely did this as we watch three sets of couples who choose to all live together in a sort of commune. After being best friends living next door to each other and helping out with the kids and having dinners together, Stephanie, the sort of hippie, proposes this idea to tear down the walls between their shared houses as a way to keep the three families together and not move away because of space issues. However when the walls come down not everything is as easy as she made it seem.
I loved all the complexities of each character and the different relationships/friendships between the six. There were times I related to and felt for some and other times I was plain out pissed off at others. Now not everything that happened was because of the walls coming down between them but it definitely altered what was probably inevitable.
I don't want to go into too much detail because then well it would kind of give away the story and all the good bits. Overall I liked this interesting look at friends and families and the lines that can get crossed and if you can come back from them. If you like books that aren't necessarily all happy and sunshine but can make you a bit uncomfortable (in a good way) I think this is one to check out.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
This book had the great quality of making me supremely uncomfortable. I know that sounds really weird but I love books that kind of push the way I think, what is right and wrong and who I relate to. Pretty Little World definitely did this as we watch three sets of couples who choose to all live together in a sort of commune. After being best friends living next door to each other and helping out with the kids and having dinners together, Stephanie, the sort of hippie, proposes this idea to tear down the walls between their shared houses as a way to keep the three families together and not move away because of space issues. However when the walls come down not everything is as easy as she made it seem.
I loved all the complexities of each character and the different relationships/friendships between the six. There were times I related to and felt for some and other times I was plain out pissed off at others. Now not everything that happened was because of the walls coming down between them but it definitely altered what was probably inevitable.
I don't want to go into too much detail because then well it would kind of give away the story and all the good bits. Overall I liked this interesting look at friends and families and the lines that can get crossed and if you can come back from them. If you like books that aren't necessarily all happy and sunshine but can make you a bit uncomfortable (in a good way) I think this is one to check out.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
January 22, 2017
*ARC provided by Little Bird publicity in exchange for an honest review*
This was my first read by these two authors and I was definitely intrigued ever since I first read the synopsis. This book is about 3 different families that live in houses that are side-by-side who decide to literally tear down the walls keeping them apart. As soon as I read the synopsis, I was expecting a lot of drama and my expectations were met for the most part. The characters gave me a bad feeling in my stomach right off the bat with the foreshadowing.
I read this book in one sitting; It was easy to get through but not easy to swallow. A lot of the behavior these characters took part in was completely unacceptable and I have to admit, some of them hurt me as if it was personal. The lines between these relationships blur so much and we are made to witness them without being able to help in any way. One relationship out of the 3 impacted me the most. So much so that I'm still reeling from how it ended. I won't go into detail but I just wanted to mention how torn I was about it. I can't imagine going through what this character did and I hope I never do. It is one of my worst fears, as it is for a lot of us, and I was made to see it play out. It was painful and soul-wrecking.
Besides all the wrongdoing, I really loved how each relationship was very distinct from each other. There were 3 different dynamics that were easy to follow. The ending most definitely has me asking for a sequel. That cliffhanger was completely out of the blue for me since I had already accepted the terms I thought the book was going to end in. But no, I was left reeling even more from a last punch Elizabeth and Melissa decided to throw in. Even though I was sympathetic to a certain character, I gave this a low rating because I couldn't really relate to them as they were double my age. All in all, I am very glad I gave this book a try and I can't wait to see what else these authors have in store for us.
3.5 stars!
This was my first read by these two authors and I was definitely intrigued ever since I first read the synopsis. This book is about 3 different families that live in houses that are side-by-side who decide to literally tear down the walls keeping them apart. As soon as I read the synopsis, I was expecting a lot of drama and my expectations were met for the most part. The characters gave me a bad feeling in my stomach right off the bat with the foreshadowing.
I read this book in one sitting; It was easy to get through but not easy to swallow. A lot of the behavior these characters took part in was completely unacceptable and I have to admit, some of them hurt me as if it was personal. The lines between these relationships blur so much and we are made to witness them without being able to help in any way. One relationship out of the 3 impacted me the most. So much so that I'm still reeling from how it ended. I won't go into detail but I just wanted to mention how torn I was about it. I can't imagine going through what this character did and I hope I never do. It is one of my worst fears, as it is for a lot of us, and I was made to see it play out. It was painful and soul-wrecking.
Besides all the wrongdoing, I really loved how each relationship was very distinct from each other. There were 3 different dynamics that were easy to follow. The ending most definitely has me asking for a sequel. That cliffhanger was completely out of the blue for me since I had already accepted the terms I thought the book was going to end in. But no, I was left reeling even more from a last punch Elizabeth and Melissa decided to throw in. Even though I was sympathetic to a certain character, I gave this a low rating because I couldn't really relate to them as they were double my age. All in all, I am very glad I gave this book a try and I can't wait to see what else these authors have in store for us.
3.5 stars!
unfinished
March 12, 2017I almost made it halfway into this book. I really thought it was going to be a fun read about friends discovering its one thing to live next to each other and something entirely different when they live in the same house. I guess for the most part that's what I got. I really wasn't prepared though to read about a bunch of sexually frustrated freaks. let's just say stuff was starting to get weird....
interesting book, at least the first half, but don't read if you don't want to read about people relieving their sexual desires in front of each other.
interesting book, at least the first half, but don't read if you don't want to read about people relieving their sexual desires in front of each other.
February 10, 2017
Do good fences really make good neighbors? That’s the question at the heart of LeBan and Depino's intriguing debut. Brimming with astute observations and chock full of surprises until the very last page, Pretty Little World offers a fresh, unexpected look at friendship and marriage. I love novels that make me think long and hard about my own life, and this book did that and much more.
July 24, 2017
This was so stupid but I couldn't quit reading it.
February 8, 2017
On a cozy street in Philadelphia, three neighboring families have become the best of friends. They can’t imagine life without one another—until one family outgrows their tiny row house. In a bid to stay together, a crazy idea is born: What if they tear down the walls between their homes and live together under one roof? And so an experiment begins.
My thoughts: What started as a broken pipe that caused flooding through the homes of the three couples had turned into something more.
Mark, the building expert in their midst realized that something in the original construction was not right. A brick firewall, which should have prevented what happened, is missing. So, after some conversations and a consultation with another builder, the taking down of the walls becomes a solution. And the start of communal living.
But how will the three couples and their assorted children figure out how to live together, sharing the household and the chores, while maintaining any kind of privacy? Will the lines blur, making it impossible to keep any semblance of normalcy? Will the children lose their sense of having their own family? What will the neighbors think, and how can they keep their secret?
Stephanie and Hope were two of the women in the equation, and right away I realized how much I disliked them. Stephanie had no sense of personal space, and seemed to have no problem taking whatever she needed without any consideration as to who owned an item. Hope was judgmental and controlling, expecting the others to meet her expectations.
Celia was the most detached from the trio of women, as she had a high powered job that kept her away a lot.
An illness, some infidelities, and a continued blurring of the lines had me confused about who belonged to whom. I started to get the couples mixed up…was Leo with Hope, or with someone else? Who did Mark turn to after his illness? How would his liaison change the group dynamic?
What ultimately happened surprised me…since I expected some of what eventually unfolded. But the final pages had me scratching my head. Could such an experiment be impossible to move beyond? 4 stars.
My thoughts: What started as a broken pipe that caused flooding through the homes of the three couples had turned into something more.
Mark, the building expert in their midst realized that something in the original construction was not right. A brick firewall, which should have prevented what happened, is missing. So, after some conversations and a consultation with another builder, the taking down of the walls becomes a solution. And the start of communal living.
But how will the three couples and their assorted children figure out how to live together, sharing the household and the chores, while maintaining any kind of privacy? Will the lines blur, making it impossible to keep any semblance of normalcy? Will the children lose their sense of having their own family? What will the neighbors think, and how can they keep their secret?
Stephanie and Hope were two of the women in the equation, and right away I realized how much I disliked them. Stephanie had no sense of personal space, and seemed to have no problem taking whatever she needed without any consideration as to who owned an item. Hope was judgmental and controlling, expecting the others to meet her expectations.
Celia was the most detached from the trio of women, as she had a high powered job that kept her away a lot.
An illness, some infidelities, and a continued blurring of the lines had me confused about who belonged to whom. I started to get the couples mixed up…was Leo with Hope, or with someone else? Who did Mark turn to after his illness? How would his liaison change the group dynamic?
What ultimately happened surprised me…since I expected some of what eventually unfolded. But the final pages had me scratching my head. Could such an experiment be impossible to move beyond? 4 stars.
January 22, 2018
What a concept. i really enjoyed this book full of rich characters
March 5, 2017
This book reminded me of the things folks say about, "you never know what goes on behind closed doors" as a perfect example of this thought. Pretty Little World turns the lives upside down of 3 couples who are best friends when they knock down the inside walls of the row house they live in to form one big family life together. Cecilia and Mark wanted more room with their 3 kids and decide they have to move when Hope and Leo and Stephanie and Mark present their idea of living like a commune but vow to keep it secret from the outside world. At first Cecilia and Mark are torn but finally won over when the benefits outweigh the cons. They agree and rules are set to help one another split daily living chores. This story is full of laughter, love and sharing food, child care, along with some fearful shocking events, relationship and job problems . As the days go by the differences between husbands and wives become complicated, boundaries are blurred and emotional distances threaten the closeness they all had for one another and they wonder how this will affect all of their lives going forward. Will this cozy arrangement last? I loved this different, delightful book!
February 8, 2017
Living in a commune style with my neighbors is nothing I would ever want to do but for these three families it seemed to make sense. Yet after taking the walls down each family found their own issues. These problems could have been there before they took the walls down but were brought to light after. With each problem the support from the other families was wonderful. There was never a doubt that they would support each other, pick each other up, and help each other in any way possible.
I am not sure what my thoughts were on the how the adults all seemed to bond with each other’s spouses. What I mean is that the wives all bonded with different husbands. I am not sure that everyone in the house didn’t overstep boundaries many times. The style of living did not give any private/personal time to couples or individual families. I am not sure how any of these marriages managed to stay together.
The children in this story were not prominent characters but there was still an attachment to them. I wonder how confusing it would be to young children to call other women mommy and other men daddy. This is something that I thought about each time it happen but maybe it is just because I am a mommy and I wouldn’t want my daughters to call anyone else mommy.
When I finished reading I just sat and thought about how my world would be if I lived in a world like they did. How would my relationship with my husband change? What would my children think?
Pretty Little World is an interesting read. I devoured it.
I am not sure what my thoughts were on the how the adults all seemed to bond with each other’s spouses. What I mean is that the wives all bonded with different husbands. I am not sure that everyone in the house didn’t overstep boundaries many times. The style of living did not give any private/personal time to couples or individual families. I am not sure how any of these marriages managed to stay together.
The children in this story were not prominent characters but there was still an attachment to them. I wonder how confusing it would be to young children to call other women mommy and other men daddy. This is something that I thought about each time it happen but maybe it is just because I am a mommy and I wouldn’t want my daughters to call anyone else mommy.
When I finished reading I just sat and thought about how my world would be if I lived in a world like they did. How would my relationship with my husband change? What would my children think?
Pretty Little World is an interesting read. I devoured it.
January 10, 2017
This delightfully different kind of novel is hard to categorize. The story is told from the seven points of view of the main characters. And once you get used to the POV changing between paragraphs, it works.
I fell in love with Celia and Mark, Hope and Leo, Chris and Stephanie, and the odd-woman-out, Nikki. The three couples are creating a new modern family by taking down the walls between their row houses in Philadelphia. The upstairs of their homes remain private. The downstairs becomes one living space where Leo can indulge his passion for cooking and Hope can care for the children while Stephanie and Celia go to work. The children have no problem accepting the new situation, but what will their neighbors do if they find out what they’ve done? And the ending? You’ll have to decide for yourself. Bravo, to the two authors Elizabeth LaBan and Melissa DePino. This is their first collaborative work. I look forward to others.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.
I fell in love with Celia and Mark, Hope and Leo, Chris and Stephanie, and the odd-woman-out, Nikki. The three couples are creating a new modern family by taking down the walls between their row houses in Philadelphia. The upstairs of their homes remain private. The downstairs becomes one living space where Leo can indulge his passion for cooking and Hope can care for the children while Stephanie and Celia go to work. The children have no problem accepting the new situation, but what will their neighbors do if they find out what they’ve done? And the ending? You’ll have to decide for yourself. Bravo, to the two authors Elizabeth LaBan and Melissa DePino. This is their first collaborative work. I look forward to others.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.
February 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this book--great for the beach or a book club. I love the ending, and I think at the end there are some nice, perhaps philosophical, conclusions (thinking of Stephanie and Leo). It was a wonderful imagining about what we gain--and what we give up--to live communally.
October 9, 2016
Pretty Little World follows three neighboring families as they combine their separate homes into one large, commune-like living space. With this change comes the identity crises and affairs that you might expect, but also a great sense of community and support among the different family members. While I enjoyed the premise of the book, I wish the book focused a bit more on the repercussions of their decision rather than the problems occurring in marriages that probably would have occurred anyway. Either way, this book is an interesting look at the support one truly needs to have a successful, happy family.
February 9, 2017
Three families that all live on this quaint little street called Emerson, are the best of friends. When one family needs just a little more help, they all decide to tear down the walls that connect their homes and open up the main levels into a commune of sorts. I thought that this was a very interesting concept/idea, but it fell a little flat. There were plot holes, it was slow, I didn't connected with the characters HOWEVER the depiction of marriage and the drama was fantastic!
FULL REVIEW --> https://youtu.be/5xDUKgdJP50
FULL REVIEW --> https://youtu.be/5xDUKgdJP50
July 5, 2017
This book kept me intrigued as I kept thinking how true to real life these characters could actually be...the saying "no one knows what goes on behind closed doors" is so right on in this story that I couldn't put it down! Obviously, there are characters I liked better than others.....Stephanie's husband Chris was the guy I liked most and Celia's husband Mark is the kinda guy I'd like to put on that circus wheel where they throw knives at you and see what happens. Hope's husband Leo is a great friend to all of them and loves all the kids-but never quite got why he had to work at the mood constantly to be with his wife. He was headed in Marks direction in my opinion-towards trouble!
As far as the women go, Stephanie gets my vote for worst friend. Read the book and you'll see why! Not only does she want to keep something from one of the group-it's the reason WHY she doesn't want to tell...
These 3 families start out as the best of friends and they just happen to be neighbors, like right next to each other only separated by a wall each. The houses are small, called row houses-and when one couple has outgrown there's and wants to leave the "nest" an idea is born to take down those walls and live as one family, in one big huge common area keeping the upstairs individually. No one has to move then, they can all share responsibilities, and the kids are all best friends too making this a crazy but possible reality.
Things are going great at first....but remember those closed doors..? A new female has entered the picture, tensions begin to rise, and boundaries begin to blur.....maybe the walls coming down wasn't such a good idea after all. You decide.
(would've given it 5 stars if it wasn't for the last page...no telling what it meant!)
As far as the women go, Stephanie gets my vote for worst friend. Read the book and you'll see why! Not only does she want to keep something from one of the group-it's the reason WHY she doesn't want to tell...
These 3 families start out as the best of friends and they just happen to be neighbors, like right next to each other only separated by a wall each. The houses are small, called row houses-and when one couple has outgrown there's and wants to leave the "nest" an idea is born to take down those walls and live as one family, in one big huge common area keeping the upstairs individually. No one has to move then, they can all share responsibilities, and the kids are all best friends too making this a crazy but possible reality.
Things are going great at first....but remember those closed doors..? A new female has entered the picture, tensions begin to rise, and boundaries begin to blur.....maybe the walls coming down wasn't such a good idea after all. You decide.
(would've given it 5 stars if it wasn't for the last page...no telling what it meant!)
February 3, 2018
I got this book right after reading another book by one of the authors, Elizabeth LaBan, because I got addicted to her writing and her stories. Something about her writing style sucks me right in. So far, the characters tend to be white, upper class Philadelphia residents whom I have very little in common with. Yet, I still somehow find her characters to be relatable & sympathetic for the most part, nevertheless. With a few notable exceptions, that is. There was a husband in each story I've read of hers that I've had nothing but contempt and sometimes hatred for.
In this story, the entire concept was highly interesting to me, even without the relationship dynamics portrayed in the story. Three families who are best friends & neighbors create a commune by removing the walls between their Philadelphia row houses. Add in a few marriage issues, simmering sexual tensions between other people's spouses which are brought to a boil by the new arrangement, resentments & more than a few secrets and voila, you have Pretty Little World.
I liked it a lot. It was highly engaging and I read it very quickly. I'd recommend it to people who are interested in human relationships and who have an open mind.
One thing that bothered me a little is, I'm not sure if the difference between architect, and interior designer. Everything Mark did that was job related seemed to have to do with interior design. But I'm not 100% what all being an architect entails, so may be it's just me.
In this story, the entire concept was highly interesting to me, even without the relationship dynamics portrayed in the story. Three families who are best friends & neighbors create a commune by removing the walls between their Philadelphia row houses. Add in a few marriage issues, simmering sexual tensions between other people's spouses which are brought to a boil by the new arrangement, resentments & more than a few secrets and voila, you have Pretty Little World.
I liked it a lot. It was highly engaging and I read it very quickly. I'd recommend it to people who are interested in human relationships and who have an open mind.
One thing that bothered me a little is, I'm not sure if the difference between architect, and interior designer. Everything Mark did that was job related seemed to have to do with interior design. But I'm not 100% what all being an architect entails, so may be it's just me.
August 12, 2019
Pretty Little World is an intriguing novel about the walls individuals put up around themselves when the physical walls come down. LeBan and DePino are able to navigate through the lives of three families on Emerson Street in an engaging way, allowing readers to relate to each person at different times throughout the novel. These writers are not afraid to hit on hard topics, yet do so in a way that is not overbearing or judgmental. Overall an interesting story that takes readers along a journey of codependency and individuality that is neither predictable nor traditional.
SUMMARY: The three families on Emerson street are best friends who cannot imagine living life apart. When one family decides to move away in order to have a larger home, the families decide to do something unconventional, they tear down the adjoining walls to their row houses. Now living together in one large house, these families do things to each other they never imagined they would as they are put into unfamiliar and unusual situations. Each has their own demons to wrestle, and as they are stressed in new ways, these become obvious to those around them. Their relationships with their own spouses and their friends are put through tests most people would never encounter, and they may not be strong enough to withstand them.
SUMMARY: The three families on Emerson street are best friends who cannot imagine living life apart. When one family decides to move away in order to have a larger home, the families decide to do something unconventional, they tear down the adjoining walls to their row houses. Now living together in one large house, these families do things to each other they never imagined they would as they are put into unfamiliar and unusual situations. Each has their own demons to wrestle, and as they are stressed in new ways, these become obvious to those around them. Their relationships with their own spouses and their friends are put through tests most people would never encounter, and they may not be strong enough to withstand them.
February 2, 2017
I thought the idea within this book was interesting. After a disastrous water leak ruins the walls between two row houses, a group of neighbors (who are also close friends) decide to tear down the first floor walls between their homes and live together. They shared responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning and child-rearing. This was not as if they were simply roommates. It was as if they were a giant family.
Throughout the book I desperately wanted to reach inside the pages and strangle the characters until they came to their senses. Except perhaps Celia. I don’t remember being too upset with her; but the rest of the lot, gosh! If only they had communicated – but I will get to that in a second. There are a lot of times when boundaries are crossed and the lines get blurred in this book. There are emotional affairs, physical affairs, and something else I can’t even explain because I’m not even sure what exactly was going on. I’m still confused by it. Honestly, I was surprised these couples agreed to tear down the first floor walls. In the first chapters, it didn’t seem like they liked each other all that much.
Some of the things about communal living seemed beneficial. Kids to play with other kids. Shared cooking and cleaning responsibilities. Someone always around to help out with something, or just simply to hang out. I think it could work with the right people. But it seems these couples just had too many issues in and among the group to make it work.
I think the character development fell flat. I hardly knew anything about them or how they came to be married to their spouse. In order to have been more invested in the characters, I needed to know more about them. Maybe the authors felt there wasn’t enough space to include this, because there are 7 main characters that get focused on. That’s a lot of characters to keep straight. Admittedly, I wrote down the couples’ names and who their spouse was in order to keep it all straight. Anyways, it was lacking.
This book did teach me an awful lot about marriage. It made it clear that open honest conversation (and lots of it!) is extremely important for a healthy, happy, satisfied marriage. If these couples had stopped to communicate honestly with their significant other, and listened to their partner, they all could have saved themselves a lot of stress and heartache.
“This was what their life was like now. Entire days and nights passed without their even knowing what had filled the other’s time.”
The ending left me with so many questions and so many things unresolved. I’ll just have to make my own conclusions as to what I think happened. I just wish there had been more closure.
I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted on Books For The Living.
Throughout the book I desperately wanted to reach inside the pages and strangle the characters until they came to their senses. Except perhaps Celia. I don’t remember being too upset with her; but the rest of the lot, gosh! If only they had communicated – but I will get to that in a second. There are a lot of times when boundaries are crossed and the lines get blurred in this book. There are emotional affairs, physical affairs, and something else I can’t even explain because I’m not even sure what exactly was going on. I’m still confused by it. Honestly, I was surprised these couples agreed to tear down the first floor walls. In the first chapters, it didn’t seem like they liked each other all that much.
Some of the things about communal living seemed beneficial. Kids to play with other kids. Shared cooking and cleaning responsibilities. Someone always around to help out with something, or just simply to hang out. I think it could work with the right people. But it seems these couples just had too many issues in and among the group to make it work.
I think the character development fell flat. I hardly knew anything about them or how they came to be married to their spouse. In order to have been more invested in the characters, I needed to know more about them. Maybe the authors felt there wasn’t enough space to include this, because there are 7 main characters that get focused on. That’s a lot of characters to keep straight. Admittedly, I wrote down the couples’ names and who their spouse was in order to keep it all straight. Anyways, it was lacking.
This book did teach me an awful lot about marriage. It made it clear that open honest conversation (and lots of it!) is extremely important for a healthy, happy, satisfied marriage. If these couples had stopped to communicate honestly with their significant other, and listened to their partner, they all could have saved themselves a lot of stress and heartache.
“This was what their life was like now. Entire days and nights passed without their even knowing what had filled the other’s time.”
The ending left me with so many questions and so many things unresolved. I’ll just have to make my own conclusions as to what I think happened. I just wish there had been more closure.
I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted on Books For The Living.
November 13, 2019
I tried really hard to enjoy this book... If it hadn't been for a bookclub, I probably would have DNF'd it a few chapters in, but I made it about 70% through and just had to quit. The characters never felt like real people. It seemed like the authors picked every emotional issue/mid-life crisis that upper middle class white people go through and through them all in. All three families had children, but they were never really portrayed as individuals, just showing up when it would serve the plot. The parents all seemed very selfish, especially in regards to how they viewed their children. All of the couples had significant issues with secrets and lies before they combined houses - it just forced those issues out into the open. No one was likable, and there was a lot of internal talk about how they felt guilty about their actions, but no one seemed to try to do anything about them, or reach out for support. I'm still cringing a bit over where things had gotten within the story, and I wish I forget what I had read... Ultimately, it wasn't the communal living that ruined things for them - they just couldn't keep up their pretenses anymore and it forced things to the open earlier.
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June 21, 2020Si j'ai trouvé quelques faiblesses à ce roman, il m'a plu. J'étais curieuse de voir comment les auteurs exploiteraient cette idée. D'abord, elles montrent plusieurs réactions. Chris et Léo sont peu enthousiastes, mais pas absolument opposés à ce que propose Stéphanie. Hope a un peu peur, mais veut tenter l'aventure. Quant à Célia, il me semble avoir eu du mal à la cerner pendant tout le roman. Je n'ai jamais trop su ce qu'elle voulait. Certes, c'est elle qui instaure les règles de leur cohabitation, elle semble heureuse de faire partie de cette grande famille, mais elle est changeante. On la voit peu, car elle travaille beaucoup. Ensuite, elle fait des choix qui ne me paraissent pas judicieux... À côté de cela, j'ai trouvé Hope trop tranchée. Elle est extrêmement casse-pieds avec son mari qui n'a pas le droit de faire grand-chose, s'emporte pour un rien, change d'avis concernant un élément très important, et râle parce que Léo n'a pas lu dans ses pensées! Lorsqu'elle apprend un fait qui ne la regarde que jusqu'à un certain point, elle veut tout régenter, imposer son point de vue... [...]Lire la suite:
February 5, 2017
I often find that the hardest reviews to write are the ones where I didn’t love or hate the book, but fall somewhere in between, in the awkward “It was okay” territory. It’s not so much that I was disappointed—I haven’t read many books that explore the aspect of communal living, so it’s not like I had much to compare Pretty Little World to—it just didn’t exactly enthral me. It was definitely an easy read, and I sped through it in a couple of days, but it just didn’t have that special something that pushed into the category where I loved it or raved about it to my friends.
I don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction outside of the romance market, but I knew that I had to read this one as soon as the press release arrived in my inbox. I’ve become a bit of a hippy of late, and I love the idea of living close enough to your support network of friends (especially in a society were few people live around the corner from their extended families any more) that you can pop over to help with childcare or cook each other meals on a regular basis. I looked forward to seeing how the characters in Pretty Little World adapted to their new living arrangement and figured out whether it really was feasible.
I think one of the biggest issues with this novel is that it has a large cast of characters. We’re given insights into the thoughts of all six adults in the “commune”, plus one outsider who lives in the same street. That’s a lot of people to keep track of, and sometimes the character development was a little lacking. Celia in particular felt like a cardboard cut-out right up until the end of the book, when her issues finally rise to the surface. I feel like this is a pretty natural problem in a book of this length with such a large cast of characters. At the same time, I kind of wished we’d had some insights into how the children adapted to the change in living arrangements. I’m not sure how feasible it would be to work this into the novel, given that it already has seven adult protagonists, but at times the children felt almost invisible.
The two characters who I related to the most were Stephanie and Hope. I understood Stephanie’s idealistic, hippyish outlook on life, which often involves random dance parties with her kid instead of sorting laundry. I had more of a personal connection to Hope, possibly because she’s one of the characters who developed most over the course of the novel. When we first meet her, she’s struggling with the heartache of trying and failing to get pregnant with a second child, and eventually finds some fulfilment through caring for her friends’ children—and realises just how difficult her life could be if she did have a large family on a full-time basis, and begins appreciating the precious time she has with her daughter more. As a mother of one who has been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for almost eighteen months, Hope’s journey felt authentic, and I’m sure it will speak to a lot of women.
I wish I could say the same about the other characters in Pretty Little World, but some of their journeys felt a bit underdeveloped. Stephanie’s desire not to have more children clashed interestingly against Hope’s struggle, and at one point this conflict did come to a head—and then kind of petered out, as if the two women had just forgotten about it. This conflict (which I don’t want to go into too much detail about, because spoilers!) also had the potential to reveal some interesting insight into Stephanie and Chris’ marriage, but again, that was kind of skimmed over.
There was a lot of inter-marital conflict in this book, and maybe I’m just not the right market for this book, but I found it really depressing. Not one adult in the novel seemed to be happy in their marriage. Obviously, a book about three couples who are content in their marriages and have no problems is going to make for a boring read, but I did get seriously fed up with all of these characters. Hope and Chris were probably the most innocent—they bonded over caring for the kids, their love of fast-food and literature, and generally seemed to have a pretty functional friendship, aside from Chris constantly jokingly referring to Hope as his “second wife”. Stephanie and Leo bonded over their love of fine food and alcohol, and seriously crossed the boundary of what I’d consider acceptable in a marriage—and I consider myself relatively liberal. Mark’s behaviour, while a bit cliché, developed pretty realistically. I just wish we’d had more of Celia’s perspective on the situation earlier in the novel.
There were some really heart-warming moments where all of the families rallied around each other in times of crisis, and some interesting moments where they had to deal with small conflicts, like people taking items from other apartments without asking, or Hope struggling to look after all the kids when they get sick. I just wish there had been more of these sorts of conflicts as opposed to the inter-marital drama. I’m entirely certain that this sort of blurring of the boundaries of marriages is natural when living in close quarters, but I think reading about so many unstable, unhappy marriages really got to me after a while. By the end, I was kind of fed up with everyone and just wished they’d actually talk to their spouses about their problems, rather than each other.
On the whole? I have very mixed feelings about Pretty Little World. The communal-living idea is interesting, and not one I’ve come across much in fiction. I really liked the ending, especially since it reinforced the reasons they wanted to live together and how important that sort of support network can be in times of crisis. I just got tired of all the marital dysfunction. This may be a personal annoyance of mine, and not one that every reader struggles with. If the concept behind Pretty Little World intrigues you, go for it! It’s certainly a unique premise.
Disclaimer: This is a general market novel and contains scenes of a sexual nature, plus some instances of profanity.
Review title provided by Little Bird Publicity.
I don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction outside of the romance market, but I knew that I had to read this one as soon as the press release arrived in my inbox. I’ve become a bit of a hippy of late, and I love the idea of living close enough to your support network of friends (especially in a society were few people live around the corner from their extended families any more) that you can pop over to help with childcare or cook each other meals on a regular basis. I looked forward to seeing how the characters in Pretty Little World adapted to their new living arrangement and figured out whether it really was feasible.
I think one of the biggest issues with this novel is that it has a large cast of characters. We’re given insights into the thoughts of all six adults in the “commune”, plus one outsider who lives in the same street. That’s a lot of people to keep track of, and sometimes the character development was a little lacking. Celia in particular felt like a cardboard cut-out right up until the end of the book, when her issues finally rise to the surface. I feel like this is a pretty natural problem in a book of this length with such a large cast of characters. At the same time, I kind of wished we’d had some insights into how the children adapted to the change in living arrangements. I’m not sure how feasible it would be to work this into the novel, given that it already has seven adult protagonists, but at times the children felt almost invisible.
The two characters who I related to the most were Stephanie and Hope. I understood Stephanie’s idealistic, hippyish outlook on life, which often involves random dance parties with her kid instead of sorting laundry. I had more of a personal connection to Hope, possibly because she’s one of the characters who developed most over the course of the novel. When we first meet her, she’s struggling with the heartache of trying and failing to get pregnant with a second child, and eventually finds some fulfilment through caring for her friends’ children—and realises just how difficult her life could be if she did have a large family on a full-time basis, and begins appreciating the precious time she has with her daughter more. As a mother of one who has been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for almost eighteen months, Hope’s journey felt authentic, and I’m sure it will speak to a lot of women.
I wish I could say the same about the other characters in Pretty Little World, but some of their journeys felt a bit underdeveloped. Stephanie’s desire not to have more children clashed interestingly against Hope’s struggle, and at one point this conflict did come to a head—and then kind of petered out, as if the two women had just forgotten about it. This conflict (which I don’t want to go into too much detail about, because spoilers!) also had the potential to reveal some interesting insight into Stephanie and Chris’ marriage, but again, that was kind of skimmed over.
There was a lot of inter-marital conflict in this book, and maybe I’m just not the right market for this book, but I found it really depressing. Not one adult in the novel seemed to be happy in their marriage. Obviously, a book about three couples who are content in their marriages and have no problems is going to make for a boring read, but I did get seriously fed up with all of these characters. Hope and Chris were probably the most innocent—they bonded over caring for the kids, their love of fast-food and literature, and generally seemed to have a pretty functional friendship, aside from Chris constantly jokingly referring to Hope as his “second wife”. Stephanie and Leo bonded over their love of fine food and alcohol, and seriously crossed the boundary of what I’d consider acceptable in a marriage—and I consider myself relatively liberal. Mark’s behaviour, while a bit cliché, developed pretty realistically. I just wish we’d had more of Celia’s perspective on the situation earlier in the novel.
There were some really heart-warming moments where all of the families rallied around each other in times of crisis, and some interesting moments where they had to deal with small conflicts, like people taking items from other apartments without asking, or Hope struggling to look after all the kids when they get sick. I just wish there had been more of these sorts of conflicts as opposed to the inter-marital drama. I’m entirely certain that this sort of blurring of the boundaries of marriages is natural when living in close quarters, but I think reading about so many unstable, unhappy marriages really got to me after a while. By the end, I was kind of fed up with everyone and just wished they’d actually talk to their spouses about their problems, rather than each other.
On the whole? I have very mixed feelings about Pretty Little World. The communal-living idea is interesting, and not one I’ve come across much in fiction. I really liked the ending, especially since it reinforced the reasons they wanted to live together and how important that sort of support network can be in times of crisis. I just got tired of all the marital dysfunction. This may be a personal annoyance of mine, and not one that every reader struggles with. If the concept behind Pretty Little World intrigues you, go for it! It’s certainly a unique premise.
Disclaimer: This is a general market novel and contains scenes of a sexual nature, plus some instances of profanity.
Review title provided by Little Bird Publicity.
December 21, 2017
Left Me Hanging
This book has great potential and I wanted to love it. The idea of a modern day commune is very interesting. However, I felt like the characters were underdeveloped. And the ending was completely baffling.
It took a while for the story to get to the main plot and once it did I had a hard time keeping up with who was married to who and what was going on with each couple. The climax and resolution weren’t great either. They find out what Mark did and it’s bad and then it’s ok but then it’s not. And then he’s just gone???? And is the commune a positive in support of being a big, loving family or a negative causing intrusion into the fine layers of the household? The message of the book wasn’t clear for me.
As an entertaining read this may work for some. But if you’re looking for a clear message and characters that aren’t just a hot mess but actually experience some change and resolve then this may be a disappointing read.
This book has great potential and I wanted to love it. The idea of a modern day commune is very interesting. However, I felt like the characters were underdeveloped. And the ending was completely baffling.
It took a while for the story to get to the main plot and once it did I had a hard time keeping up with who was married to who and what was going on with each couple. The climax and resolution weren’t great either. They find out what Mark did and it’s bad and then it’s ok but then it’s not. And then he’s just gone???? And is the commune a positive in support of being a big, loving family or a negative causing intrusion into the fine layers of the household? The message of the book wasn’t clear for me.
As an entertaining read this may work for some. But if you’re looking for a clear message and characters that aren’t just a hot mess but actually experience some change and resolve then this may be a disappointing read.
November 15, 2017
Three young couples with kids living in adjoining Center-City Philly rowhomes decided to knock down the walls separating their first floors and open up their homes -- and lives -- to each other.
Three marriages will never be the same.
You can tell from the cover image that this isn't going to end well.
I picked this up from the library's browsing shelf because it's set in Philadelphia and I enjoy reading books with a local setting.
The reader is supposed to feel sorry for these characters, I think, but I had a hard time sympathizing with people who were extremely intentional about where they buy their clothes and their coffee, and not so much about making decisions that don't jeopardize their own relationships. The story is like a train wreck that you can't look away from, even tough you don't care about any of the people involved.
Sexually explicit, which shouldn't be surprising.
Three marriages will never be the same.
You can tell from the cover image that this isn't going to end well.
I picked this up from the library's browsing shelf because it's set in Philadelphia and I enjoy reading books with a local setting.
The reader is supposed to feel sorry for these characters, I think, but I had a hard time sympathizing with people who were extremely intentional about where they buy their clothes and their coffee, and not so much about making decisions that don't jeopardize their own relationships. The story is like a train wreck that you can't look away from, even tough you don't care about any of the people involved.
Sexually explicit, which shouldn't be surprising.
January 1, 2019
Good premise but...
I had read and enjoy the Restaurant Critics Wife, so I was really excited to read about the rest of the families on this little street. Unfortunately, though the premise was good and really interesting as how it could work, it was a hard read, and I often found myself trying to remember who was married to who. When it started to make sense, and I was able to keep up with the couples, it took a weird turn, and then just ended. It didn't come full circle, left too many holes, and even if you could overlook misconstrued construction abilities and even legal and permit issues that were never mentioned in the book, it really would have been helpful if it didn't just abruptly end without cleaning up loose ends. I really hope that there is a second book to finish it off, because right now it just seems as if the book ended where money and time ended.
I had read and enjoy the Restaurant Critics Wife, so I was really excited to read about the rest of the families on this little street. Unfortunately, though the premise was good and really interesting as how it could work, it was a hard read, and I often found myself trying to remember who was married to who. When it started to make sense, and I was able to keep up with the couples, it took a weird turn, and then just ended. It didn't come full circle, left too many holes, and even if you could overlook misconstrued construction abilities and even legal and permit issues that were never mentioned in the book, it really would have been helpful if it didn't just abruptly end without cleaning up loose ends. I really hope that there is a second book to finish it off, because right now it just seems as if the book ended where money and time ended.
August 21, 2019
This novel is about three families who are close friends and also neighbors living in adjoining row houses in Philadelphia, who decide to knock down the walls in between the first floors of their homes and have a communal living space. Each of them have their own issues and of course living together solves certain problems while creating others. An interesting and different idea, but kind of eh in the execution for me - there were too many characters, they were all kind of annoying and not fully fleshed out, and the book was just too unrealistic. That being said, it was a quick read, just kind of disappointing especially since I enjoyed Elizabeth LaBan's previous book "The Restaurant Critic's Wife." 2.5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2019
I kept reading because I wanted to see what would happen to the characters, but the writing wasn't my favorite. There was an omniscient narrator, which always bugs me (we shouldn't know what Mark is thinking in the same scene that we know what Hope is thinking!). Another thing I didn't like was that all the characters were introduced at the same time, which made it difficult to differentiate between them. They all blended together for a while.
I also just didn't really feel for the characters. SEMI SPOILER: there is some infidelity in the book, which is a complex situation, and I just didn't care about why that person cheated. There is a way to write your story to make me *feel* more, and this just wasn't it.
So, interesting story, easy read, but I don't think I'd recommend it. I do think it'll make a good book club discussion, though!
I also just didn't really feel for the characters. SEMI SPOILER: there is some infidelity in the book, which is a complex situation, and I just didn't care about why that person cheated. There is a way to write your story to make me *feel* more, and this just wasn't it.
So, interesting story, easy read, but I don't think I'd recommend it. I do think it'll make a good book club discussion, though!
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