I have a love-hate relationship with this author.
I want to love her books. Some of them I have given a "10" because they were excellent subject-wise. But some were just "eh". This one.....was....odd.
My fave of hers was The Husband's Secret. I read it before I started writing blog book reviews.
STORY SUMMARY
Masha runs a health resort called Tranquillum House, a former historic home. It's a different kind of a resort. Her friend Yao, a former paramedic, helps her deal with the wealthy clients that sign up for her special treatments. Her former PA, when she was a corporate executive, Delilah, also helps out.
One day, nine complete strangers arrive at the health resort. Some of the people want to lose weight, one couple is working on their marital relationship, and another family of three are dealing with the death of their son/brother. Some are there for reasons they can't even admit to or don't even want to deal with yet they know they need a new lease on life.
Little do they all know just how challenging...and weird...the next 10 days will be. Some of their treatment plans involve drinking smoothies made with organic foods; some involve a no-technology method; some involve playing mind games.....and one involves being locked in a basement room. But none of the nine resort guests know this.
One of the guests is Frances Welty, a romance writer. She needs to lose weight and is dealing with a horrible head cold, a bad back, an addiction to wine, sugar and caffeine, and is also nursing a broken heart due to an online scam. Frances has been married and divorced twice and is currently dealing with the rejection of her publisher.
The owner of Tranquillum House is intriguing to Frances. Should she put her whole trust in this woman named Masha? Does Masha really have the answers to the questions that Frances has about her life? Should she stick this 10 day regime out or should she run now while she has the chance??
Soon, all nine guests will be asking themselves this very same question.
MY THOUGHTS
This book was just odd.
The underlying subject matter deals with suicide of a teen boy. That part was very well written..the feelings from the mother, father and twin sister.
The overall character development was excellent. The setting was ok.
There was something about the characters as they each got introduced that made me push forward in this book but overall this story was lousy.
Too strange and "zen" out there.
VERY unrealistic as well. NO adult in this day and age would fork over their mobile devices to a woman who claims to be the savior of their problems.
It was just too odd.
In my opinion this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older due to mature subject matter and content.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 7.
1 comment:
I've only read one book by this author, What Alice Forgot, and liked it. But this one doesn't sound like one I would be drawn to.
Post a Comment