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A review by elliemcc11
Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley & publishers for a review copy.
Having read other books by the author, I was keen to read her next novel. Unfortunately, whilst I liked this book however I wasn't blown away by it.
The story centered around two females, both at different times in their life. Sam, a university/college student, and Elisabeth who had recently moved from Brooklyn to a small town university. Sam met Elisabeth when she went to work as a babysitter for Elisabeth's young son.
We follow their lives as they interconnect and become close friends, perhaps even crossing the boundary of employee/employer friendships. Sam has a relationship with an older ("creepy") man and Elisabeth offers advice - (I loved the fact he was British; some of the comments and descriptions made me smile - have to say I've not met a Clive who is in his early 30s but maybe I'm just not posh enough - ha ha!). Elisabeth had her son via IVF and has struggled with life in a new town, without the support network she's used to and is also experiencing her own family struggles. The story revolves around their intertwined worlds, however there is also an underlying story of corporate greed. I get that it gave a focus and explanation for certain behaviours but I'm just not sure it quite worked for me.
Overall I was engaged throughout the storyline, it was well written and the characters were well developed, however I found the ending a bit disappointing and a little sudden. Some matters were addressed in the epilogue but it left me with quite a few questions.
Having read other books by the author, I was keen to read her next novel. Unfortunately, whilst I liked this book however I wasn't blown away by it.
The story centered around two females, both at different times in their life. Sam, a university/college student, and Elisabeth who had recently moved from Brooklyn to a small town university. Sam met Elisabeth when she went to work as a babysitter for Elisabeth's young son.
We follow their lives as they interconnect and become close friends, perhaps even crossing the boundary of employee/employer friendships. Sam has a relationship with an older ("creepy") man and Elisabeth offers advice - (I loved the fact he was British; some of the comments and descriptions made me smile - have to say I've not met a Clive who is in his early 30s but maybe I'm just not posh enough - ha ha!). Elisabeth had her son via IVF and has struggled with life in a new town, without the support network she's used to and is also experiencing her own family struggles. The story revolves around their intertwined worlds, however there is also an underlying story of corporate greed. I get that it gave a focus and explanation for certain behaviours but I'm just not sure it quite worked for me.
Overall I was engaged throughout the storyline, it was well written and the characters were well developed, however I found the ending a bit disappointing and a little sudden. Some matters were addressed in the epilogue but it left me with quite a few questions.