Lake Effect
Lake Effect ~ Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Nina Larkin, a food columnist, is unhappily married to Sam, a closeted gay marketing executive, and they live in Rochester, New York, with their teenage daughters, Clara and Bridie. Across the street from the Larkins, Finn Finnegan, head of a regional grocery chain, is unhappily married to Honey, a sexually repressed and unaffectionate Weight Watchers coach. They also have two teenagers, Duke and Fern. Duke and Clara are high school seniors who are secretly dating. After surviving a heart attack while shoveling snow, Finn decides that he wants more from life than a loveless marriage.
When Nina and Finn run away to the Dominican Republic to divorce their respective spouses and marry each other, the lives of the children are thrown into chaos.
Lake Effect is told in the alternating voices of all of these characters, and we learn their backstories and their motivations as they come to terms with the repercussions of their sort of blended family. I liked this book, but it was missing something for me. Recommended, but definitely a library read for me, not a ‘I must own this’ book.
16 Comments
Sam
I think I should get this from the library soon, and I’ll be curious to see what it’s all about since there’s been a lot of hype/discussion.
J
I can’t remember where I heard about it. I liked it though.
Margaret
I’ve had several friends who have dealt with the neighbor affair situation although the people didn’t run away with each other. They did cause a lot of chaos in both families though.
J
The drama of it all! That would be difficult, with ones neighbors betraying you and all.
Suzanne
Wow, sounds like it has potential… but also, so many perspectives! I love a multi-POV book and yet this seems overwhelming.
J
It wasn’t confusing, though I listened and they had different actors. (I think…I’ve listened to other books since so I’m not 100% on that).
Ernie
I just got this one from my library. I do enjoy multiple perspectives. I did just start Whst you are looking for is in the library- so I plan to finish that one first.
J
I hope you like it!
PocoBrat
I had to read twice to figure out the puzzle :)!
It’s giving Ann Pattchett _Commonwealth_ vibes to me…
J
I read Commonwealth, but I remember zero about it. Sigh. My Maya has a great memory for books, and she reads more than I do.
Jenny
I really liked this one! I loved the 1970s vibes. My only quibble was that the ending was sad. I get why it ended that way, but I could have done without that sadness.
J
Yes, the ending was indeed sad. Sigh.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Mhm at first I thought I pass it up but the commenters are also liking it. Maybe this will be going to my audiobook TBR
J
If you decide to listen, I hope you enjoy it!
Stephany
I definitely enjoyed this book more than you did! And I know Jenny didn’t like the ending, but it gave me a good cry and I thought it was so special.
J
I’m glad you enjoyed it so much!