A review by devon
Sweet Ruin by Cathi Hanauer
5.0
In New York Times best-selling author Cathi Hanauer's latest novel she takes readers into the mind of a thrity-something, wife and stay at home Mom, just coming back from a devastating tragedy. It has been two years since the death of Elayna Leopold-Slade's infant son Oliver, and only now is the fog of deep depression starting to lift. As winter turns to spring Elayna feels herself start to come alive again and is enjoying this newfound sense of freedom. As she begins to take focus on her work as a poetry editor, her 6 year old daughter Hazel is finding more independence and her loving but sometimes distant husband is working long hours, Elayna begins to use her time to refocus on herself. However, she soon finds this new Zen for life taking her down a road she never imagined, when she meets her young, handsome and very intriguing neighbor, Kevin. As she and Kevin form a friendship, she finds herself feeling things she thought died along with Oliver and finds him hard to resist.
'SWEET RUIN' is well written, thought-provoking and gives us great insight into the mind of a wife and mother trying to reconnect with pieces of herself that were pushed aside to take care of her family. As a wife and mother myself, I could completely relate to much of Elayna's thoughts about motherhood and marriage and how one can loose themselves in the chaos of it all. Hanauer has provided a very honest look at life and does not sugar coat the effects Elayna's actions have on her or her family. This book should be on everyone's must read list for this summer!
'SWEET RUIN' is well written, thought-provoking and gives us great insight into the mind of a wife and mother trying to reconnect with pieces of herself that were pushed aside to take care of her family. As a wife and mother myself, I could completely relate to much of Elayna's thoughts about motherhood and marriage and how one can loose themselves in the chaos of it all. Hanauer has provided a very honest look at life and does not sugar coat the effects Elayna's actions have on her or her family. This book should be on everyone's must read list for this summer!