Behaving Like Adults: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Let Down
Review: After reading other books by Anna Maxted, I really did expect more, her books have been much more entertaining than this one. The characters in this book were very annoying and whined quite often. I wanted to feel empathy for Holly but I just could not identify with her at all. Maybe there was a lack of proper development before her "ordeal" but she just wasn't an identifiable heroine. And the ending was completely unbelievable. I know it is fiction but this was a prime example of taking it to the extreme. If you are looking for a paperback, cheap read, this will suffice but save your money if you are looking for a worthy hardback.

Rating:
Summary: Leaves a lot to be desired ...
Review: I have read Ms. Maxted's 2 other novels and must say that this one -in comparison- was just awful. I did not feel that the story flowed at all. The main character aggrevated me to no end and the subject matter (heavy at times) did not lend itself to the chick lit genre. Chick lit is meant to be light and breezy. Some of teh material showed great promise but got bogged down with excessive detail (in particular the plane ride and it's aftermath -- very funny but took too long to tell the tale) I read several novels a week and rarely do I "jump book" but in this case I had to.

Rating:
Summary: brilliant portrait of pain, denial, growth
Review: Whoever says this book treats the subject of rape too lightly must have read a different book. To me, this novel was completely engrossing. The protagonist's attempts to block her rape experience are full of so much pain. I don't know when I've agonized so much along with the protagonist. Maxted seems to choose plots of pain, denial, and healing. Yes, all three novels have followed that formula, but I am not yet tired of it.