This morning, I have a women's fiction novel to share! Check out Ten Thousand I Love Yous, learn about author Lisa Slabach, read my thoughts on the book & be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.
Book Title: Ten Thousand I Love Yous by Lisa Slabach
Category: Adult Fiction 18+, 303 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: BookBaby
Release date: February 2022
Content Rating: PG-13 + M for
handful of f-bombs and semi-explicit sex scenes; mature themes
discussing sexual mores and adult relations; no abortion, violence or
abuse.
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In this humorously touching novel by the critically acclaimed author of Degrees of Love, a woman is blindsided when her high school sweetheart abandons her after eighteen years of marriage.
At sixteen, Kimberly Kirby thought the only thing she needed to be perfectly happy was to spend the rest of her life with Jay Braxton. Twenty years later, she still believes it. As they proudly watch their daughter, Haley, graduate from high school, she imagines her life is as perfect as anyone could reasonably expect. Jay is a formidable attorney, she a freelance writer, and their love as strong as ever. With Haley heading to UC Berkeley in the fall, Kimberly fantasizes about making love on the kitchen table. She has no clue that Jay’s bags are already packed.
Now divorced and determined to squelch her love for Jay, she accepts a gig writing a sex and dating blog for divorcees. As the Virgin Dater, she is on the hunt for love. No-strings-attached nights with a sexy fireman and moving to San Francisco are just what she needs to boost her battered ego and mend her shattered heart.
But just as she falls hard for a talented young chef, Jay fights to win her back. Torn between her bold new life and the comfort of Jay’s strong arms, she questions if there is too much to forgive. The ten thousand I love yous that had passed Jay’s lips can’t be dismissed, but nor can her newfound freedom and the knowledge that her happiness doesn’t depend on Jay.
A Sadly Relatable Journey of Self Discovery. As I read this novel, I truly related to many of Kimberly's thoughts--and, unfortunately, some aspects of her storyline. Preparing for an "empty nest" is an emotional situation in and of itself. After years of caring for a family and losing a lot of personal identity to the roles of mother and wife--sending a child to college brings a host of fears, doubts, and emotional chaos. The novel's main character was planning for a new chapter with her husband when being blindsided by a divorce put this novel and Kimberly's path to re-discovery in motion. I know more than one woman who has experienced this exact scenario, and I expect most readers will see either themselves or someone they know in Kimberly's character.
Life is Messy--and We Don't Always Love the Characters. I wouldn't say I liked most of the characters in this book--including Kimberly. I enjoyed watching Kimberly find herself and become her own person for the first time. Marrying young and having children young meant the divorce brought her first time as a self-sufficient adult. Kimberly's decision-making and thoughts were rarely ones that I wanted for her. While I enjoyed watching the author develop Kimberly's character, I felt that most of her decisions didn't reflect the character I wanted her to become. Having said that--I could sympathize and empathize with a lot of her thoughts and actions. While I didn't love the ending--I understood it.
Would I Recommend Ten Thousand I Love Yous by Lisa Slabach? I am not always a fan of women's fiction, as too many novels write the story that the reader wants and expects. I expected a different ending for Kimberly as she grew and changed and created her new path in life. Then, Slabach concluded Kimberly's story as the character wanted it to be. The novel is very one-sided as we only experience Kimberly's views of the story--and the ending seemed to bring that story to an abrupt close. Having said that, I think it is a very relatable novel for women facing midlife or late-life divorces and the emotions of the years that follow as they take their next life chapters in directions they hadn't intended. If you enjoy lighter women's fiction that really isn't "light" in emotion, this novel is an easy read for your summer reading list.
Meet the Author
Ten Thousand I Love Yous is Lisa Slabach’s second novel.
Prior to publication, her first novel, Degrees of Love was recognized as a Best Book of 2014 by Kirkus Review. Degrees of Love made its publishing debuted December 1, 2017 and was nominated for a 2017 Reviewer’s Choice Award by RT Book Reviews.
In addition to writing, Lisa is a Fintech Relationship Executive for a Fortune 500 Company. She is a long-time resident of Northern California and lives with her husband, one-hundred-forty-pound puppy and numerous goldfish. In her free time, she enjoys wine tasting, shopping with her daughters, and cooking in her pink kitchen.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ twitter ~ goodread ~ bookbub
Enter the Giveaway
TEN THOUSAND I LOVE YOUS Book Tour Giveaway
I would love to read this.
ReplyDeleteI liked your review on the book, it sounds great
ReplyDeleteNice review. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDelete