Book #85:
See You Next Tuesday by Kate London (347 pages). I picked up this contemporary women’s fiction novel because it’s being billed as a romantic “West Wing”. As that is my all-time favorite TV series, I couldn’t wait to dive in. This novel is set in the world of political campaigns and features Anya and Gabe, two political operatives who are rising stars and who work on the same campaign initially but definitely do not hit it off. The years pass and the two are in one another’s orbit, professionally and with overlapping friend circles, and work on opposing presidential campaigns. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers plot, but I honestly was not a huge fan of Gabe, especially in the beginning, so the chemistry between the two protagonists didn’t work for me. But at the halfway mark, I found their relationship to be a bit more believable and started to root for them. As a political junkie, I think the setting and background of the political campaigns and the ins and outs of politics are what makes this book work. 3.5 stars from me.
Book #86:
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson (Length: 462 pages). This is a very adult and violent Harry Potteresque novel set in Drayton College, a magical adult university hidden in the heart of Savannah, where students learn the powers of persuasion. Lennon, the protagonist here, has had challenges in her life, including mental illness, and you will likely find yourself rooting for her, even as the more distasteful parts of her personality are revealed. This is dark academia (love!) mixed with horror and is very graphic and gruesome in parts. The writing is so descriptive and the sense of place here is stellar. There is a very slow start, but the plot quickly picks up steam. I found the ending to be satisfying but I do agree with other reviewers that it’s a bit abrupt. 4.5 stars from me. I will remember this one.
Book #87:
The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian (Length: 319 pages). I listened to this one based on a few recommendations and I am glad that I did. Here we meet Mira, an 18-year-old golf prodigy who accidentally kills a caddy via a 150-mph drive which sneaks through a tear in the net surrounding the country club’s driving range. Legal ramifications ensue pretty quickly, and we are along for the ride. Along the way the reader learns more about Mira, and her various peccadillos including her affair with a local married man 30 years her senior as well as her love of illegal drugs. The author’s choice to have Mira narrating this story from present day (the tragedy occurs in 1978) as an adult is what makes Mira a more three-dimensional character. Mira has obviously grown up since her wild teenage days, and her self-awareness of how her own choices may have contributed to how events evolved make it easier for us to root for her. The author’s writing is strong, the legal aspects are interesting, and the big reveal at the end make it all worthwhile. 4 stars.
