Ellen Woods has lived in a fog of grief since her beloved
husband, Nick, died in an auto accident nearly a year ago.
Raising her precocious 11-year-old son, Charlie, Ellen
cocoons herself in her house, working occasionally (from
home) as a freelance copy editor. When she discovers her
financial situation is not what she thought, however, Ellen
has a rude awakening. Faced with losing her sanctuary, she
reluctantly agrees with her younger sister, Hannah, who
suggests she take in a few boarders. So three strangers
enter Ellen and Charlie's life: Hannah's coworker from
Germany, Sabine Neumann, needs temporary housing and is
involved in an ugly long-distance fight with her husband;
Allegra Howard is a 70-something romance novelist, whose
books Ellen has not only edited but used as an escape from
her pain; and Matt Bolton, a young man who has just moved
to London to work for a men's magazine.
Although Ellen hopes to avoid contact with her lodgers as
much as possible (except for Allegra, who she'll be
assisting on a new book), she finds it impossible, and
gradually, something she actually enjoys. Now the one-year
anniversary of Nick's death looms over her and Charlie, and
her relationship with Hannah is becoming increasingly
strained. Not to mention, she finds herself much too aware
of Matt's presence. Still, she remains loyal to the memory
of her perfect husband. But was he really the person she
remembers?
Most readers will immediately sympathize with Ellen and
Charlie, although some may grow impatient with Ellen's
passivity as the book goes on. I felt there was a logical
explanation for it, ultimately, and I still liked her
character. I had more difficulty warming toward Matt but
felt he matured toward the end. The "big secret" in the
book seemed a bit obvious to me early on. But despite these
quibbles, the characters were engaging, there was a good
sense of humor despite the focus on Nick's death, and
Ellen's journey was compelling. This should appeal to
readers who like Grey's Anatomy-type drama --
without the gross medical stuff.
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