Jess Lawson, a forty-five-year-old healthcare consultant, wife, and mother of two, has spent most of her adulthood fostering the illusion of having a perfect life. Her impending empty-nest syndrome as her youngest child prepares to start college is troubling enough, but when her doctor husband, Arthur, announces his intention to take a prestigious new job on the other side of the country - and relocate without Jess - her world quickly crumbles. Amid their acrimonious divorce, revelations about Arthur's infidelity come to light; and at work, instead of the revitalized career Jess is hoping for, she uncovers surprising financial corruption that threatens a scandal for her client - and the well-being of the many unsuspecting patients and physicians they serve. Ultimately, this superwoman is forced to acknowledge that her put-together veneer can't hold up under the weight of these new burdens. She also, however, refuses to wallow in victimhood. So what now? A smart, relatable story for every woman who's gone bold to sort out her next chapter, A Better Next shows how - with a little soul searching and a supportive circle of friends and colleagues - it's possible to redefine happiness and establish a liberating, new normal at any stage of life.
I don't read many women's fiction novels, but when I do, I want it to be one just like this. Maren Cooper is a new to me author, but she has amazing talent and really sucked me into the story. When I started this book, it was 6pm. By the time I finished and looked up, it was 2am. I read it one sitting! It was THAT addicting. I couldn't believe that this was her debut novel. Her writing style is amazing and it felt like she was a seasoned author.
I loved the way Cooper portrayed Jess Lawson. Her emotions jumped off the page, and into my heart, allowing me to feel everything she did. Seeing Jess go through the hurt and confusion of her husband leaving, of picking up the pieces and moving on, really hit home with me, from my own personal experiences. I love when a book does that!
Cooper did a wonderful job with this one, if you ask me. It's raw. It's emotional. It's real. Real life circumstances. True to life characters. Vivid details and a whopper of a message! If you are looking for your better next in life, I suggest you grab this 4 star novel up now and see just how Jess Lawson found hers. Great job on an amazing, beautifully written and emotionally moving novel, Maren Cooper! I am looking forward to another one just like it!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
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6 December, 2019:
Reviewed