Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Book Review: Time Flies

By Amy Bromberg

Years ago, Melanie followed her husband, Kurt, from the New England beach town where their two young sons were thriving to the suburbs of Atlanta. She’s carved out a life as a successful metal sculptor, but when Kurt leaves her for another woman, having the tools to cut up their marriage bed is small consolation. She’s old enough to know that high school reunions are often a big disappointment, but when her best friend makes her buy a ticket and an old flame gets in touch to see if she’ll be going, she fantasizes that returning to her past might help her find her future...until her highway driving phobia resurfaces and threatens to hold her back from the adventure of a lifetime. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Claire Cook's novels are always fun, lighthearted and charming. That's exactly what the reader gets with  Time Flies. I loved the friendship between Melanie and her best friend BJ. Even though they don't see each other often, you can tell how close they are. And when they are, in fact, together it's like no time has passed. The two of them are hilarious. I felt like I was in the car with them on their way to their high school reunion laughing my you-know-what off during their conversations. I wish I had a friend like BJ growing up. She comes across as rough around the edges telling it like it is. She will always have Melanie's back. I also got a sense of "women rule." It was like Thelma and Louise.

Unfortunately I've never been to any of my high school reunions, so I can't relate to that aspect. However I can definitely see myself being hesitant to go because I'd find myself comparing. I'd definitely be more on the stressed side, as opposed to excited.

The only part of the book that I didn't connect with is the occupational language in regards to welding. I'm thinking that's because I don't know anything about it, however I wish it grabbed more of my attention.

Time Flies reminds us that we can't look to our past to try to determine our future. What happened in the past is, in fact, in the past. Being in the present and enjoying what you have now is what counts. Also having friends beside you, especially during rough times, always makes such a difference. I have to remind myself to not take my friends for granted and reach out to them more.

This is a great book to have with you while lying on the beach, lounging at the pool or in your backyard with a chilled glass of wine or a cocktail of your choice.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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