** Thank you to Bryn Kristi of Mindbuck Media for reaching out to me to review this ARC **
Book Tile: ARC A Girl Like You
Author: Cari Scribner
Publisher: Circuit Breaker Books
Number of Pages: 324
Genre: Fiction
Release Date: February 9,2021
Goodreads Synopsis:
When 57-year-old Jessica Gabriel finds herself heartbroken and single after failed marriage number two, her adult kids convince her to explore the world of online dating. With a new haircut, a gym membership, and a dating profile as a 49-year-old (everyone knocks a few years off, right?), Jessica trudges through a pool of not-so-eligible bachelors—from a pothead who tells her weed makes sex better, to a much younger man who confuses her with a different lover, to a dominant male with a penchant for clothespins.
Meanwhile, Jessica takes a job at the town hall, where she’s often left to do all of the work while her boss spends his days gossiping with his cronies. Eventually, these old-timers grow on Jessica, and she begins to count them as friends. When Jessica witnesses the lengths one of them will go to save his marriage, her hope in love is renewed.
Jessica’s journey is full of tears, laughter, and an astonishing amount of sex. She learns the meaning of “catfishing” and “ghosting,” finds herself pushing her sexual boundaries, and ultimately, embraces her independence. With the love and support of her family and friends, Jessica discovers being alone doesn’t have to be lonely.
My Review:
5/5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I typically read young adult books, but I have been branching out little by little. This story is about Jessica who navigates the ups and downs of the dating world, while trying to start a “new” life after her second marriage falls apart. I enjoyed the quality of writing from first time author, Cari Scribner. It felt like I was reading the diary of Jessica. Once I was hooked, which didn’t take long, it didn’t feel like I was reading a book. There were so many elements in this book, regarding the aspects of dating and social relationships, that anyone could easily relate to. The author had great insight into what people may go through, whether it is a 50 something woman dating again after their divorce, or twenty-somethings also in the dating scene and trying to navigate life.
Nothing in this book felt unrealistic, which I loved. There are so many books out there where everything is always perfect and comes out how you expect it to be. Even if it’s more of a pessimistic way of seeing things, I appreciate that the author focused on a more realistic approach. That life can be messy and at times, unpredictable. Something you can’t force something to happen just because you so desperately want it to happen. Sometimes it will happen when you let go of the picture perfect idea of what you want and have it fall in your lap when you least expect it. This book explores different elements of grief, love and family.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Keep reading on for my interview with author Cari Scribner!
Quotablebooks1: What was your inspiration behind A Girl Like You?
Cari Scribner: Over the years, I had friends of all ages tell me about dates gone terribly wrong. They always said someone should write a book about them.
Quotablebooks1: What is your favorite part about writing/being an author?
Cari Scribner: The freedom of self-expression. I think you need to be fearless to write from the heart.
Quotablebooks1: Was there anyone or anything that influenced you to become a writer?
Cari Scribner: My third grade teacher told me I was the best reader in class, and that would make me a great writer some day.
Quotablebooks1: What is your favorite genre to read and why?
Cari Scribner: Definitely contemporary fiction because I feel it reflects life in a realistic way.
Quotablebooks1: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Cari Scribner: I actually studied journalism in college and went on to be a news reporter for many years and loved it. I enjoyed talking to people in a vast variety of situations. I wrote poetry very early in life, then turned to short fiction. Some of my published flash fiction is under 500 words, so honestly, I didn’t see myself writing 90,000 on A Girl Like You.
Quotablebooks1: What were the challenges?
Cari Scribner: Definitely editing! I know the story I want to tell but it certainly doesn’t always come out right the first time. You have to be ruthless to edit – you may love a character or scene, but if it ultimately doesn’t move the story further, it has to go. That can be painful at times.
Thank you to Cari for the great interview!! Be sure to check out A Girl Like You, which comes out February 9th!!
Author websites:
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