Book Review: The Quitters Club

 

By Melissa Amster

When four ride-or-die friends reunite for a getaway, they’re desperate for a break, a chance to reconnect. But each is hiding a deeper reason why. Marie feels like an impostor teaching “How to Say No” seminars while her marriage has evolved into something she never said yes to. Brooke’s most heartfelt goal―motherhood―is proving out of reach. Lucy’s dream career has broken her spirit, possibly for good. And Collins feels trapped in grief by her late husband’s legacy.

All their lives, they’ve encouraged each other not to give up―but they can’t do this anymore. Now, at a breaking point, they make a pact: Quit. And help each other through the fallout.

At first, it’s positively liberating. A husband gets a much-needed wake-up call. A singles retreat is a widow’s perfect escape. A very public career exit becomes a never-too-late return to college. And a childless life becomes a bold new plan to travel the world. But letting go will be more complicated than they imagined. Confronting hard truths about love, loss, and starting over, these four women must discover what’s worth fighting for―and what’s truly best left behind. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have been an avid reader of Jessica Strawser's novels for quite some time, so I am thankful for the early peek at The Quitters Club, which will be available next week. While this is different from her more suspenseful stories, it's still really well told and even empowering.

Each of the women had an interesting and compelling reason for wanting to quit something in their lives. Marie's husband takes her for granted and refuses to make compromises. Brooke is tired of her failed attempts at pregnancy forcing her to put her life on hold. Lucy has no motivation to write anymore. And Collins just wants to move past her grief. Quitting is their way of forging new paths for themselves and they support each other in the process. Little do they know how quickly things will go awry. 

The story kept me turning the pages, wondering what would happen next for each of the women. They all felt relatable, even if I had nothing in common with them. While I would have liked getting more of Collins' perspective from her own narrative, I still got to see what she was going through and she made her voice heard.

I felt like the characters got too introspective at times and it made my head spin. They made this committment to themselves and then they kept questioning it even though it was bringing other good things into their lives that they might not have experienced if they hadn't quit.

Overall, it was a thoughtful and engaging read. I think you will enjoy this new side of Jessica's writing! 

(Trigger warnings below. May contain some spoilers.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Marie: Margo Harshman

Lucy: Abby Elliott

Brooke: Alexandra Daddario

Collins: Sara Canning

Thanks to Jessica Strawser for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Jessica Strawser:

Catch You Later

The Next Thing You Know

Not That I Could Tell

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TW: Death of spouse, cancer, suicidal ideation, divorce, infertility, life-threatening injuries.