Monday, September 29, 2014

Mating For Life - Review


Review by Marlene Engel

Former folk singer Helen’s feminist and anti-monogamist views have affected her three daughters.  The youngest, Liane, has met “The One” but has concerned herself with the “what ifs”.  What if their happiness disappears and takes the magic along with it?  She has allowed these concerns to affect their relationship and, in turn, steal their ability for happiness and magic.  Middle child, Ilsa, is on her second marriage and afraid that she’ll give in to temptation and be unfaithful.  Then there’s the oldest, Fiona.  She prides herself in having a stable marriage based on values, but her husband harbors a secret.  The life that she has become accustomed to is no longer.  She is determined to get back to that life, even if that means without her husband.
                                     
Despite Helen’s dislike of commitment, she falls in love with a man who holds traditional values of marriage.  She’s not sure if she can turn her back on her ways, but at the same time can’t bear the thought of losing him. 

This book follows the struggles and challenges that all four women face.  Together they help break down their walls and uncover their individual truths.  What they’re left with is the knowledge that no matter what life hands you, it’s our life experiences (both good and bad) that make us the people we are. 

An amazing debut about the power of female relationships.  Mating For Life will leave you feeling like you made four new friends.  Add this book to your TBR pile.  You will be happy that you did.

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About the Author:
I'm a National Magazine Award nominated writer and former magazine editor whose work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post, Elle Canada, and many others. Mating for Life (Atria Books; Simon & Schuster Canada) is my first novel. When I'm not writing, I'm reading. (In fact, I never go anywhere without a book. Except maybe swimming.) Some of my favourite authors are Meg Wolitzer, Julia Glass, Alice Munro, John Irving, Lauren Groff, Margaret Atwood and James Salter. I live in Toronto with my husband and two children, where I teach writing, and am working on another novel.

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