Isolde (Izzy) Brilliant of New York seems like she has it
all - she's married to a publisher (albeit a self-employed
one), she has a beautiful baby boy, and she's a hedge fund
manager. But soon, she finds her world changing - she's
made redundant at work, her nanny quits (without notice),
and her best friend is trying to talk her into getting a
divorce (and this isn't the first time Izzy has
contemplated the idea).
Fortunately, Izzy's separation package from work is quite
generous, so she's able to taste life as a stay at home mom,
while still being able to hire another nanny to help out.
Suddenly, she's seeing everything her husband does wrong and
nothing he does right (has he EVER done anything right?).
At a silent auction, he bids on -- and wins -- some couples
therapy sessions. Meanwhile, she donated her services as a
financial analyst, which were won by Gabe, a man who turned
her down nearly 20 years ago. As Izzy and her husband
Russell start hashing out their differences in therapy (and
they can't even agree on whether they argue during one
memorable therapy session!), Izzy is being slowly but surely
courted by Gabe.
During all of this, Izzy sees nothing but unhappiness all
around her - her new nanny can't get pregnant and can't seek
medical intervention because she's in the country illegally;
their friend has a new bride from Asia who barely speaks
English and doesn't seem thrilled to be in the marriage; and
she frequents a restaurant owned by a man who discusses his
infidelity with her.
You might think that this book would be a downer, but you
would be completely wrong. This story is told with much
humor. In fact, I literally laughed out loud several times
while I was reading. The author has greatly improved
her ability to walk the line between acerbic wit and
inappropriate humor since her last novel, and the
story-telling is at a much better pace. Ms. Belle tells the
frustrations of the modern mother and wife with much aplomb,
making Izzy a sympathetic character, even while she is
screaming at her husband -- a fine talent, indeed.
I will say, though, that the ending was unexpected, and,
having come to it, it left me a bit unsettled. Other than
this small qualm, I greatly enjoyed the book.
Take a "fun ride" (Entertainment Weekly) with the national
bestselling author of High Maintenance. Isolde Brilliant had
a great job, great husband, and great life. Her only wish
was to be a mother, and when it came true she lost her job,
her marriage became shaky, and dirty diapers appeared. When
her best friend leaves her husband after the "the seven year
itch," Isolde wonders if she'll fall victim to a similar
fate. Can she make the life she has become what she actually
wants?
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