melissakuzma's review against another edition
3.0
I really want to rate this one 2 1/2 stars, but I'm rounding up. I really liked an earlier book by this author and was happily suprrised to find this other novel by her. I saved it for vacation as a mindless treat and it worked, more or less. I thought the premise was pretty ridiculous (middle aged woman married 20+ years leaves her husband after finding out he is almost-cheating on her, without even a 10 minute discussion with him, and runs off to Seattle). Despire tthat, it was kind of interesting to see what she decided to do with herself after suddenly picking up and leaving her whole life behind. The one part of the book I wish had been edited out (in addition to the kind of gross love scenes) was the nasty daughter character. She was unbelievable and added nothing to the story. Every time she appeared, it made me want to stop reading.
erinvonbaron's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh. Hallmark movie of a book. Not my jam. Definitely for some people. Not for me. Couldn't make it past chapter 4.
literaryfeline's review against another edition
4.0
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2008/11/review-love-and-biology-at-center-of.html
booknrrd's review against another edition
2.0
When a high school science teacher finds out that her husband has been seeing another woman, she (understandably) flips out and skips town. She settles in Seattle where she finds a job at a small coffee shop (called The Center of the Universe). Eventually she must confront her marital situation, but she's content to ignore it for as long as she can.
This book was okay. I don't know why I read "women's fiction" because I usually feel dissatisfied at the end, and this wasn't any different. Thankfully there were no conveniently-timed illnesses or lost friendship subplots, so it did have that going for it. I was somewhat annoyed that the dust jacket description didn't really match up with the book. It makes it sound like Mira goes on some kind of crazy spree, and while her actions are rash, they are not the actions the blurb suggests.
This book was okay. I don't know why I read "women's fiction" because I usually feel dissatisfied at the end, and this wasn't any different. Thankfully there were no conveniently-timed illnesses or lost friendship subplots, so it did have that going for it. I was somewhat annoyed that the dust jacket description didn't really match up with the book. It makes it sound like Mira goes on some kind of crazy spree, and while her actions are rash, they are not the actions the blurb suggests.
mjcourchesne's review against another edition
4.0
To be completely honest, I didn't want to like this book. The main character, Mira, was a stranger to me at the beginning -- someone whose motives I couldn't relate to in the least.
It wasn't until I was 3/4 of the way through that I realized I was thoroughly sucked in to Mira's story, and her heart-wrenching decision to leave her family, then revisit her past and unravel just what it was that she wanted from her life.
In the end, my personal realization was that what she is striving for--a true and meaningful connection with her family, her partners, her world--is something essential to us all. With that thought, I cried with Mira and applauded her for moving through the really tough process of stepping out of herself in order to regain her true being.
It wasn't until I was 3/4 of the way through that I realized I was thoroughly sucked in to Mira's story, and her heart-wrenching decision to leave her family, then revisit her past and unravel just what it was that she wanted from her life.
In the end, my personal realization was that what she is striving for--a true and meaningful connection with her family, her partners, her world--is something essential to us all. With that thought, I cried with Mira and applauded her for moving through the really tough process of stepping out of herself in order to regain her true being.
robertalucy's review
4.0
I adore Jennie Shortridge's books, but this is not my favorite. Found the main characters actions a stretch, which made her less likeable. But i will continue to read everything she writes:)
michaelnlibrarian's review
3.0
OK, I am very much not the target audience for book. Linda left it here and I am running out of books, so the time for being choosy is past.
I haven't got much to say about the story, really. Some of the characters (particularly the ones with Italian family roots) seem close to being caricatures, but not in an offensive way, I suppose. I wasn't too crazy about the particular way she chose to move the story forward with parallel flashbacks, but I think that's mostly me.
One thing I liked was that much of the book is set in Fremont, a small neighborhood in Seattle on the northwest corner of Lake Union. We were in a houseboat on Lake Union this summer and I like that area; I ran by Fremont several times this summer. While the author works Seattle and Fremont tidbits into the story I don't think she overdoes it. (But I think I have a high tolerance for those.)
I was surprised that the author, who lives now near Fremont, made a (small, I admit) factual error. She calls the statue in Fremont, "Waiting for the Interurban" a group of people waiting for a - the sculpture portrays people waiting for the Interurban that ran between Seattle and Everett, not a bus. My father used to ride that train.
I give this three stars because really, my opinion about this sort of book means little, and three is neutral enough, I think.
I haven't got much to say about the story, really. Some of the characters (particularly the ones with Italian family roots) seem close to being caricatures, but not in an offensive way, I suppose. I wasn't too crazy about the particular way she chose to move the story forward with parallel flashbacks, but I think that's mostly me.
One thing I liked was that much of the book is set in Fremont, a small neighborhood in Seattle on the northwest corner of Lake Union. We were in a houseboat on Lake Union this summer and I like that area; I ran by Fremont several times this summer. While the author works Seattle and Fremont tidbits into the story I don't think she overdoes it. (But I think I have a high tolerance for those.)
I was surprised that the author, who lives now near Fremont, made a (small, I admit) factual error. She calls the statue in Fremont, "Waiting for the Interurban" a group of people waiting for a
I give this three stars because really, my opinion about this sort of book means little, and three is neutral enough, I think.
bitesbooksbrews's review
2.0
The writing and the story was good. It reminded me a lot of Kristin Hannah, specifically Firefly Lane, Fly Away and Distant Shores. However, it was too raunchy for me, leading me to skip whole pages, because I have no interest in reading about anyone’s sex life. I held on because I wanted to know what would happen in the story, but I do not recommend it if R-Rated, (or in some cases X) content bothers you.
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