I loved this book. I went through a divorce myself and this story might as well be mine. Same ordinary facts, same extraordinary becoming from the ruins of a marriage into a surprisingly and unlikely new life. My true story validates Sam's fictitious existence through Berg's simple, delicate, and deep writing.

I adore Elizabeth Berg. Her turn of phrase is so stunning, I often find myself rereading passages because she finds the perfect way to capture moments with words. Anything she writes, I will read and I have yet to be disappointed.

Why did I pick up a book about a woman dealing with divorce? Because I wanted something I could finish in a couple days and Elizabeth Berg wrote it. She makes it look so easy, which means she is a great writer. Throughout the story, the main character is struggling to figure out who she really is, what to do with herself, and who she really wants in her life. We see and feel her rollercoasters of thoughts and emotions, and sometimes it's pretty chaotic. But by allowing a variety of new people and experiences into her day to day life, this woman learns the truth about herself and her family, and we are reminded never to judge a book by it's cover.

Sam knows that things are not "right" with her marriage to David, still it comes as a shock when he decides to leave her and their son, Travis. Maybe she can convince him to reconsider, well that ain't gonna happen.
So, she does what any "good" wife would do with an unlimited credit card account, in her husband's name of course, GOES on a WILD spending spree, Tiffany's tops the list! David is none too happy about that........

What is a person to do when they are left with a house, a child, no income? Suggestion, rent out one of the rooms to garner income. Is this a mistake or just a whim?

There is one bright spot in Sam's life, King, and there you will have to read the book to find out how King comes into her life, and the impact that one person has on another.

In the beginning I saw myself completely in the main character and enjoyed that. There was a sharp and noticeable decline after a plot twist and I nearly quit reading. It’s like a total different person wrote the second half! It was a bestseller?!? Anyway was a good easy read which is exactly what I wanted at the time.

Catching up…

To be honest, I thought I had already recorded my review of this one. So, when this was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed, it was only natural that I re-visit it so that I finally could.

This is Samantha’s story. Her re-making of herself after believing she was happily married with an 11-year-old son, Travis, and suddenly finding herself, well, dumped by her husband.

And, with Berg’s storytelling, we get a realistic view of what it is like to start over when this isn’t the story, she envisioned for herself. The jobs she takes, the people she meets, the re-building of her own self-confidence, and, her own faith in others and how it changes them. As well as, the relationship she builds with her son, and his finding his own way through his own awkwardness.

Watching Samantha grow into her own is refreshing. Just as much as the story is, too. So that, when it reaches its stride, as Samantha eventually does, you can’t help but root for her, to come into her own and hope she, too will find her own happily-ever-ending.

I have enjoyed every Elizabeth Berg book I've ever read. This one has such a tenderness toward the quirks of the characters. And it's also quite funny.

Picked this up at a local book sale to read and release.

A story of growth, strength and humanity. Berg has a gift, it seems.


I'd read this a while back, but when I found this copy- I could no longer really remember the story- divorced woman finds self, is all I could come up with.

But it is a lot more than that. The path to the finding of herself and feeling secure is well told. (I must admit I chuckled at the image of Sam sewing shut the flies of her husbands boxers and the tops of his socks before packing them up for him)

Berg's heroines are not perfect, beautiful, or brilliant, nor are their love interests. They can be elderly, overweight and neurotic, but that only makes them more real.

A light little weekend read...

I read this wonderful novel again (something I rarely do) and loved it even more than the first time

I enjoyed it. She is a good writer. Some tired tropes, but I’d definitely read another from her.

Although this book isn't deep or a thriller mystery, etc. I enjoyed reading it. Like "comfort food" this book rates in that category. It's a light read, but warm and cozy. Sometimes you just need a book like this in between the more challenging, serious books.

Elizabeth Berg has a magical way of making you love her characters...or hate them. I am going to read every single one of her books in existence.