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Somewhat Satisfactory: When Love And Truth Are Set Free
When a fortune-teller sees no future for Claire, it triggers a downward spiral, until a chance meeting with an alluring stranger changes everything.
Because Claire’s life is jam packed with work, family, sport and friends, she doesn’t have much time to think about the future. But when her best friend drags her to a fortune teller, Claire begins to question everything she has taken for granted up to now—her friends, her job, her marriage and her very existence on this earth.
Her self-analysis deepens when she ventures outside her comfort zone and meets a talented musician. Their budding friendship becomes so intoxicating that Claire feels she can no longer be the person she used to be.
She tries to find answers in therapy, journaling and online forums, but can’t decide if she’s having a midlife crisis, losing her mind or actually unearthing long buried truths.
When Claire starts to take control of her feelings, she faces a dilemma—risk losing the love and support of her devoted husband and two teenage sons, or follow her burning desire to live a true and honest life.
(*stand-alone read)
Because Claire’s life is jam packed with work, family, sport and friends, she doesn’t have much time to think about the future. But when her best friend drags her to a fortune teller, Claire begins to question everything she has taken for granted up to now—her friends, her job, her marriage and her very existence on this earth.
Her self-analysis deepens when she ventures outside her comfort zone and meets a talented musician. Their budding friendship becomes so intoxicating that Claire feels she can no longer be the person she used to be.
She tries to find answers in therapy, journaling and online forums, but can’t decide if she’s having a midlife crisis, losing her mind or actually unearthing long buried truths.
When Claire starts to take control of her feelings, she faces a dilemma—risk losing the love and support of her devoted husband and two teenage sons, or follow her burning desire to live a true and honest life.
(*stand-alone read)
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2022
14 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Rafferty
8 books14 followersRachel Rafferty writes contemporary women's fiction set in Ireland. Her stories contain female protagonists in their thirties and forties facing life challenges with varying degrees of success. The books are lighthearted and accessible, often sprinkled with humour.
Rachel fell in love with writing during a career break when her children were young. If she could stop for one second to tidy her house, she would, but those blank pages get filled quicker than the mop bucket every time!
She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her family of five and big dreams.
Rachel fell in love with writing during a career break when her children were young. If she could stop for one second to tidy her house, she would, but those blank pages get filled quicker than the mop bucket every time!
She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her family of five and big dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 9, 2023
Hello Claire, your life is calling, please pick up! A wife, mother, teacher and athlete, Claire has a full and busy life. That is until her best friend brings her to a fortune teller and the facade of her life begins to crumble. Now Claire has questions, oh so many questions about what is true in herself and her life.
Rachel Rafferty has written a beautifully raw and funny coming of age story about a woman in her forties. There is a clumsy grace to Claire which is as mesmerizing as watching a train wreck. You really want to look away yet you also need to see if anyone walks away unscathed.
It has been a long time since a novel has surprised me as much as Somewhat Satisfactory has with its deceptive depth and nuance. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rachel Rafferty has written a beautifully raw and funny coming of age story about a woman in her forties. There is a clumsy grace to Claire which is as mesmerizing as watching a train wreck. You really want to look away yet you also need to see if anyone walks away unscathed.
It has been a long time since a novel has surprised me as much as Somewhat Satisfactory has with its deceptive depth and nuance. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2022
A visit to a fortune teller with her best friend Ger turns Clair's life topsy turvy. She begins to look at her life with different eyes then Anita enters the picture. Angst and questioning of feelings by Claire comes to the fore. Anita takes center stage but there's guilt also for her husband and sons. Some twists with Ger then eventual discussion with family should give Claire peace of mind but don't be too sure.
I never warmed up to Anita or quite frankly Ger though I hoped for a HEA.
A good storyline from the author.
I never warmed up to Anita or quite frankly Ger though I hoped for a HEA.
A good storyline from the author.
January 4, 2024
A very satisfactory narrative...
Claire is in her early forties, married with two teenage sons. At a small party she meets Anita, a singer and musician. Something clicks for Claire - she thinks it’s a mid-life crisis, and so goes to see a therapist.
Soon however she is falling deep for Anita.
Now I don’t want to give spoilers here, so this is intentionally quite vague. This story doesn’t go where you expect. It’s not a ‘happily ever after’ but it does have a good ending. Somewhat satisfactory I suppose
Claire is in her early forties, married with two teenage sons. At a small party she meets Anita, a singer and musician. Something clicks for Claire - she thinks it’s a mid-life crisis, and so goes to see a therapist.
Soon however she is falling deep for Anita.
Now I don’t want to give spoilers here, so this is intentionally quite vague. This story doesn’t go where you expect. It’s not a ‘happily ever after’ but it does have a good ending. Somewhat satisfactory I suppose
December 19, 2022
Claire believes she is going through a midlife crisis, however it is revealed she has a deep secret about herself: her own sexual orientation. She has accepted life as it came, so she is somewhat satisfied. But her friend, Ger, convinces Claire to see fortune-teller, Madame Diamond, after she has a good reading. But Claire is sent away because there is no fortune to tell. Claire cannot stop dwelling over the fortune she never received, and even feels anger towards the woman. Later, Claire has a revelation when she meets Anita. Anita is vibrant and alive. Anita is different and represents change.
The book is written in the first-person, so readers can follow Claire's journey. The book almost breaks the fourth wall as it reads like Claire is addressing readers. This makes for an intimate and personal read. Her journey reveals who her real friends are and who has her back for this newfound realisation while Claire discovers what she treasures most in life after the options are laid out in front of her. On a personal note, I like the Christine and the Queens reference.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
The book is written in the first-person, so readers can follow Claire's journey. The book almost breaks the fourth wall as it reads like Claire is addressing readers. This makes for an intimate and personal read. Her journey reveals who her real friends are and who has her back for this newfound realisation while Claire discovers what she treasures most in life after the options are laid out in front of her. On a personal note, I like the Christine and the Queens reference.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
November 20, 2022
Many of us can sympathize about feeling somewhat satisfactory about our lives. And in this story from Rachel Rafferty, Claire is no exception. She trundles along, content with most things she does, bit not overly so. She treads water and has more or less convinced herself that's the way it ought to be. But then she meets someone who has her questioning if that's all there is.
Is this a midlife crisis that will fade the same as a teenager's phase, or will Claire discover that in her 40's it's still possible to make profound, life-lasting changes?
Somewhat Satisfactory is a fast-paced novel that's written in an easy style and with a peppering of humor that makes it a must-read for book lovers.
Is this a midlife crisis that will fade the same as a teenager's phase, or will Claire discover that in her 40's it's still possible to make profound, life-lasting changes?
Somewhat Satisfactory is a fast-paced novel that's written in an easy style and with a peppering of humor that makes it a must-read for book lovers.
November 20, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book about the character Claire's rediscovery of herself. It was lovely to read a book about a regular person navigating their way through their 40s and midlife. Many of the thoughts and feelings Claire experienced resonated with me. The story was engaging and you had a good sense of the main character. I would recommend this book. And I look forward to Rachel Rafferty's next one!
November 20, 2022
What happens when you start questioning yourself in your 40s? Well, if you're surrounded by people who genuinely love you, the journey is hard, but it's not insurmountable.
You may lose a friend or two, your marriage of 18 years can't survive the change in its current incarnation, but your strongest relationships can evolve so it's not a complete disaster.
Not an all intensive page turner, but the writing is easy to read and the story itself is easily somewhat satisfactory.
You may lose a friend or two, your marriage of 18 years can't survive the change in its current incarnation, but your strongest relationships can evolve so it's not a complete disaster.
Not an all intensive page turner, but the writing is easy to read and the story itself is easily somewhat satisfactory.
January 12, 2023
Rachel Rafferty does it again!!!
Absolutely fantastic read!!!!
Couldn't put this one down loved it such an easy read kept me intrigued all the way to the end.
Rachel has such a talent for this genre and draws you in instantly with her seemingly ordinary characters but with an extraordinary storyline.
Somewhat Satisfactory????
I think not absolutely brilliant more like.
Highly recommend
Can't wait for the next one.
Absolutely fantastic read!!!!
Couldn't put this one down loved it such an easy read kept me intrigued all the way to the end.
Rachel has such a talent for this genre and draws you in instantly with her seemingly ordinary characters but with an extraordinary storyline.
Somewhat Satisfactory????
I think not absolutely brilliant more like.
Highly recommend
Can't wait for the next one.
July 5, 2023
I've read all of Rafferty's books and enjoyed this one the most. I found the main character relatable and totally identified with her feeling that she'd woken up one morning and realized her life was passing her by. What a pleasure to join along on her journey to rediscover herself and start being an active participant in her life. I couldn't put this book down and was sad when it was finished. More please!
August 20, 2024
Great characters and pace
Really enjoyed this. It was an easy read and a perfect short novel for holidays. Characters were realistic and the story motored along nicely. Extremely satisfactory!
Really enjoyed this. It was an easy read and a perfect short novel for holidays. Characters were realistic and the story motored along nicely. Extremely satisfactory!
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October 6, 2024A quick, interesting read about finding your true self at any age. I’m looking forward to reading all the books in this series!
April 22, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was quick and easy to read. This is book three of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
This book drew me in, because I came out at a later age, though I came out before 40. It was great for me to read about the confusion she was feeling when falling for a woman, and it was great to read about the therapy sessions.
I really didn't like her friend, Ger. She was so self-centred, and what erked me the most was her response to Claire coming out. (I'm so sorry to anyone who end up losing friends because they are so narrow-minded and self-centred.)
Thank you Rachel for Claire's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was quick and easy to read. This is book three of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.
This book drew me in, because I came out at a later age, though I came out before 40. It was great for me to read about the confusion she was feeling when falling for a woman, and it was great to read about the therapy sessions.
I really didn't like her friend, Ger. She was so self-centred, and what erked me the most was her response to Claire coming out. (I'm so sorry to anyone who end up losing friends because they are so narrow-minded and self-centred.)
Thank you Rachel for Claire's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews