Booklife Review

In Stevens’s sophomore novel, following its prequel, My Year of Casual Acquaintances, author Charles Kittredge finds himself at a crossroads, uncertain whether he should reconnect with his former girlfriend, Margaret, after their breakup plunged him into a months-long writer’s block. Despite his reservations, he reluctantly accepts her dinner invitation, though his initial plan is simple: "Have a drink. Eat dinner. Break up with her." Yet, the next morning he’s texting her, admitting that he can’t stay away. That spark reignites the relationship, and within a year, Margaret has moved in with Charles—a newfound reverie that is soon disrupted by outside influences.

Charles’s home quickly turns into a full house when Margaret’s mother, Gwendolyn, visits from New York and, soon after, Margaret’s dear friend, Sunny, moves into the guesthouse. Stevens crafts characters who are both entertaining to watch and easy to love, and each member of the cast is brimming with their own quirks: Gwendolyn can’t help but relentlessly criticize, Sunny is struggling with her failing spa business (and secret feelings for Charlie), and Margaret’s ex-husband, Henry, makes too many repeat appearances, while lavishing his pet name for Gwendolyn at every opportunity. Charlie, meanwhile, retreats further into his office, attempting to ignore the chaos unfolding around him—a move that’s short-lived when his career stagnates and his latest manuscript faces rejection.

Stevens builds a whirlwind of relationships fraught with tension, overreactions, and moments of misery, inviting readers on an emotional rollercoaster as she weaves a character-driven narrative that resonates with the stress and strain of modern life. Memorable scenes include Margaret’s grandson, Benny, facing anxieties about both fireworks and climate change, while Gwendolyn, after walking in on Margaret and Charlie having sex, compares them to the “shagging” raccoons who’ve taken up residence by the pool. It’s a captivating journey that delivers exactly what readers crave—a richly layered story that’s both fun and deeply human.

Takeaway: Richly layered story of the stress and strain in contemporary relationships.

Comparable Titles: Pamela Kelley’s The Restaurant, Claire Lombardo’s Same As It Ever Was.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A