Like a House on Fire

 

I received a copy of this release from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Like a House on Fire

Author: Lauren McBrayer 

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release Date: 4.26.22

Publisher’s Summary 

After twelve years of marriage and two kids, Merit has begun to feel like a stranger in her own life. She loves her husband and sons, but she desperately needs something more than sippy cups and monthly sex. So, she returns to her career at Jager + Brandt, where a brilliant and beautiful Danish architect named Jane decides to overlook the “break” in Merit’s resume and give her a shot. Jane is a supernova—witty and dazzling and unapologetically herself—and as the two work closely together, their relationship becomes a true friendship. In Jane, Merit sees the possibility of what a woman could be. And Jane sees Merit exactly for who she is. Not the wife and mother dutifully performing the roles expected of her, but a whole person.

Their relationship quickly becomes a cornerstone in Merit’s life. And as Merit starts to open her mind to the idea of more—more of a partner, more of a match, more in love—she begins to question: what if the love of her life isn’t the man she married. What if it’s Jane?

My Review

I went into this one a bit apprehensively. I wasn't sure where it was going to go. Love triangle? Office romance? Midlife crisis? Cheesy drama? Instead, I read some very authentic depictions of mature relationships. The characters are definitely imperfect but each one is well-rounded and relatable. This might get labeled as "queer romance" but I found it to be more of a "mature bildungsroman." I hope this book is wildly successful so publishers will grab up more books with headstrong 40/50-year-old female main characters.