This Is Where We Live by Janelle Brown
Did I buy this book because of the cover? Damn straight I did. And because it was 80% off at Borders.
Does this book have anything to do with strawberry shortcake? Nope, not at all. I’m really trying to think if they ate it in the book and I don’t remember it. I really think the cover was just a marketing decision. Obviously, it worked on me.
This Is Where We Live is the story of Claudia and Jeremy. They are a 30-something married couple faced with current issues. The book is very relevant to today’s times….unemployment, mortgage crisis, career decisions, etc. Although the premise is very relatable, I couldn’t get on board with it. It was a bit too hodge podge with the multiple themes for me.
The book starts off right away with an earthquake in California….and a sex scene on page 5. (I really thought this book was going to rock after page 5, ha.) But the earthquake didn’t do much damage and was never mentioned again. I suppose the earthquake was for the symbolism of the “cracks” in Claudia and Jeremy’s marriage. I felt it was unnessary though.
I couldn’t get too into the book because I didn’t even LIKE either of the characters. I found them both to be self-involved and annoying. And maybe that also was the point so that you understood their marital troubles.
There’s a point in the book where Claudia is thinking about directing a screenplay that she’s read. She hates the screenplay, but could use the money. She wonders if she’d be selling out by directing it. I wonder if the author sold out by just taking a hot topic and throwing some side plots into it and calling it a day.
So, in all, the premise of the book was good. Married couple…financial troubles…how do they cope. Got it. But by adding in the earthquake, screenplay writer turned teacher & her students, failing rock band, new roommate, returning ex-girlfriend, yadda yadda yadda. It was just too much for me.
But I do still love the cover.
2 stars of out 5 stars.
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