By: Amy Sue Nathan
ISBN: 1250048583
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Publication Date: 10/13/2015
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars
When small lies have big consequences… Things are a little rough for Izzy Lane. Still reeling from the break-up of her marriage, the newly single mom moves back to the Philadelphia home she grew up in, five-year-old Noah in tow. The transition is difficult, but with the help of her best friends—and her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Feldman—Izzy feels like she’s stepping closer to her new normal. Until her ex-husband shows up with his girlfriend. That’s when Izzy invents a boyfriend of her own. And that’s when life gets complicated. Blogging about her “new guy” provides Izzy with something to do when Noah’s asleep. What’s the harm in a few made-up stories? Then, her blog soars in popularity and she’s given the opportunity to moonlight as an online dating expert. How can she turn it down? But when her friends want to meet the mysterious “Mac,” someone online suspects Izzy’s a fraud, and a guy in-real-life catches her eye, Izzy realizes just how high the stakes are. That’s when Mrs. Feldman steps in, determined to show her neighbor the havoc that lies can wreak. If Izzy’s honest, she could lose everything, and everyone. Is the truth worth any cost?
My Review
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Love the Cover!
Talented Amy Sue Nathan returns after her winning debut, The Glass Wives, with her latest contemporary, THE GOOD NEIGHBOR --filled with humor, friendship, and life’s complications. Izzy Lane is going through a rough patch. She has been dumped by Bruce, her husband, and as a single mom, she decides to move back to Philadelphia, to the home where she grew up, after her parents have moved. Along with her five year-old son, Noah-- she works as a high school counselor, where she is determined to live a normal life. She has a few friends (Jade and Rachel), to help along the way and support her through her time of need, and the funny elderly neighbor, Mrs. Feldman. Then her ex-husband shows up with his girlfriend. Izzy comes up with a plan and decides to invent a boyfriend of her own. (all ex-wives do this). However, it gets quite complicated to keep up the charade and the lies. Izzy comes up with this idea of blogging. Her new love interest, with her free nights when her son is asleep, she is in another world online. What she does not expect is how popular her blog will turn out to be. Soon she is the online dating expert.We have a Dear Abbey on our hands. Of course her friends want to meet the mysterious Mac, and some think she is a fake. She begins to worry what she has gotten herself into. Then her neighbor gets involved, and she is in a real pickle. A witty heartwarming story, of secrets, lies, betrayal, friendship -- and the desperate attempts for second chances. As with her first book, Nathan tackles real issues in non-traditional families (been there, so can relate)….she uses contemporary topics and humor mixed in with lots of obstacles along the way, making her books relatable, by women in today’s world. I liked the idea of the different age groups of women. As I get older, the 80 something crowd fascinates me. In my hi-rise, there are many older single women--they are always lots of fun with some great stories of the past! Mrs. Feldman was my favorite character with some stories of her own - a nice addition!
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About the Author
I’m Amy Sue Nathan, and my second novel, THE GOOD NEIGHBOR, will be published by St. Martin’s Griffin in October 2015. My debut novel, THE GLASS WIVES, was published by St. Martin’s Griffin on May 14, 2013. I’m lucky to be represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.
I’ve been blogging since 2006, and launched the Women’s Fiction Writers blog in March 2011. I teach workshops for Writers Digest University and freelance as a fiction editor and writing coach. My stories and essays have appeared in print and online in over two dozen publications such as The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Parent, Writer’s Digest, Huffington Post, and online in New York Times and Washington Post blogs.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia and am a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Journalism (a degree I actually use). I’ve called the Chicago area home since the late 1990s, and am the proud mom of two grown children (my favorite oxymoron). In addition to being a writer, editor, and blogger, I’m a dog-lover, vegetarian, not-so-secret crafter, and lover of all things wine and chocolate.
I’m livin’ the life. Just don’t ask which one. Amy xo
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