Other People's Houses

It was ok. At some point in the middle, I stopped caring about these people. It picked back up again towards the end, but I wouldn't recommend it. Also, it seemed there was too much unnecessary crudeness. It would have been more impactful if it wasn't everywhere.

4.5 stars Other People’s Houses is an engrossing, entertaining and well-written novel. This book follows four families in a Los Angeles California neighborhood. Their trials, inner struggles, betrayals and most touching moments are depicted well in this story. My favorite couple is Frances and Michael Bloom. Frances was the designated carpool mom. She took the neighborhood kids plus her own three back and forth to school. Frances was the only mom who was overweight and not obsessed with her appearance. She was also the kindest most level-headed person in the group, and her husband, Michael, loved her, extra curves, and all. Frances was the star who held the neighborhood together, when one family on their street, began to crumble. This book is all about marriage, family life, betrayal, consequences, and forgiveness. The writing in this book is witty and spot on. Frances is the main character, and her internal dialogue is absolutely hysterical. Although the story is poignant and the subject matter, serious, the author has a remarkable ability to lighten the mood, with humor. I loved it. Thank you, Berkley Publishing and Edelweiss, for my advanced review copy.