The Perfect Neighbors; Sarah Pekkanen
Washington Square Press - 2016
The Perfect Neighbors, takes place in the lovely tree lined, neighborhood of Newport Cove, known as a great place to raise a family and a place to really get to know your neighbors. Social gatherings and even a public list serve where neighbors are kept up to date on events, unneighborly happenings and other random posts. Of course like most neighborhoods and families there is drama and secrets that they individuals hope to keep quiet, most of which are revealed as the story progresses.
I found this to be a light, beachy type read which might have been even a bit more fun if there was more of a mystery to it. I will admit, the list serve posts were super entertaining, and overall, made for a fun read.
Rating 3.5/5 stars
White Houses; Amy Bloom
Random House - 2018
Amy Bloom's White Houses is a fictionalized account of the FDR White House years. The story begins in 1945 just after FDR's death and moves back and forth in time. We learn of FDR's affair with his secretary, Missy but surprisingly, very little about his relationship with his own wife, Eleanor. Instead focusing more on the, previously reported, romantic relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Associated Press journalist, Lorena Hickok (Hick), when the two women met in 1932 while Hick was covering White House news.
The story is told by Hick and the reader learns much about her poor childhood in South Dakota, and her dysfunctional childhood and her abusive father, We also get insight into her White House days as one of the first female journalists to have such a high profile job. Details are shared about her friendship and genuine love for Eleanor.
I found the book to be a quick read, the writing often humorous, but at times it also fell a bit trashy, which was disappointing as I loved, the in depth NF story Eleanor and Hick by Susan Quinn.
Rating 3.5/5
