I disagree with Hyperion and Voice, the publishers of Claire Cook’s new delightful book, “Seven Year Switch.” I don’t define literature as “beach lit” or “chick lit” (sounds like gum to me!). The genre for this novel could be “like Nora Roberts, a divinely comedic romance” or whatever; I just simply loved Cook’s writing and simplicity! Like a bee settling on a lush flower, it pollinates sweetly and effortlessly. Captivating and quirky, “Seven Year Itch” is a conversation with your witty best friend. Cook understands friendship, with all the laughs, smiles and nuances that women’s friendships define. As much about womens’ lives as Virginia Wolff’s “Mrs. Dalloway,” this novel leaves out the angst and promotes the joy.
Jill Murray and her ten year old daughter, Anastasia, live alone. Jill’s husband, Seth, left seven years ago to join the Peace Corps – with no warning other than a note. Jill has had to raise her daughter as a single mom with no outside help while working for GGG – Great Girlfriend Getaways – which means she walks around with a phone in her ear 90% of the time. Her good friend Joni Robertson owns GGG, which arranges trips for women and their girlfriends to exotic locales with themed itineraries.
Jill’s neighbor, Cynthia, is Barbi to Jill’s Bambi. Cynthia knows all about being female, while Jill’s grief over Seth allows her only a sexless wardrobe and no male activity in her life. In fact, besides Anastasia, she has no life.
When Seth arrives out of the blue to reclaim Anastasia’s love and attention, Jill falls off balance. She still fantasizes about the happy family that they were, yet she can’t allow her rage at Seth to dissipate.
Fast paced, witty, and so girly girl you just want to phone your best girlfriend and schmooze, Claire Cook revs up her engines and steers us through Jill’s struggles and our own. After all, it’s not our therapists who keep us sane – it’s our girlfriends (Broad Z is now charging me for counseling!).
On a girlfriend getaway to Costa Rica, Jill finds her peace, lets Seth go, welcomes new guy Billy into her den, and surfs, belly dances and yogas herself into acceptance and adventure.
Loved it, loved it, loved it!
Seven Year Switch
is available for purchase at Amazon.com and booksellers nationwide.
is available for purchase at Amazon.com and booksellers nationwide.Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 4
Review by Broad “A” – Ava
We received a copy of this title for our book review. We were in no way compensated and all opinions are strictly our own.
Sounds like a fun read,relaxing & entertaining.. Not aware of this author.
77willow@gmail.com
follower
Sounds like a fun read,relaxing & entertaining.. Not aware of this author.
77willow@gmail.com
follower
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Thank you so much for the fabulous and beautifully written review, Ava. I'm so glad you enjoyed SEVEN YEAR SWITCH! And a big thank you to all The Review Broads for your support. I'm so glad someone sent me a link to this! I'll share it on Facebook and Twitter.
And thanks for your kind words, too, Willow!
Write on!
Claire Cook
Claire Cook is the bestselling author of 7 novels, including Must Love Dogs and The Wildwater Walking Club. Go to ClaireCook.com for excerpts and book club guides.
Friend Claire at Facebook.com/ClaireCookbooks and follow her at Twitter.com/ClaireCookbooks
Thank you so much for the fabulous and beautifully written review, Ava. I'm so glad you enjoyed SEVEN YEAR SWITCH! And a big thank you to all The Review Broads for your support. I'm so glad someone sent me a link to this! I'll share it on Facebook and Twitter.
And thanks for your kind words, too, Willow!
Write on!
Claire Cook
Claire Cook is the bestselling author of 7 novels, including Must Love Dogs and The Wildwater Walking Club. Go to ClaireCook.com for excerpts and book club guides.
Friend Claire at Facebook.com/ClaireCookbooks and follow her at Twitter.com/ClaireCookbooks