The book's narrator does a terrific job - that's the good news. Ultimately, as the last 'pages' of denoument were read, I found myself wondering why I'd listened to the whole book.

However, I felt myself willing the plot to become more than a 'chick lit' story, wanting to cheer on the author. Since the plot revolves around infertility and the havoc it wreaks in intimate relationships, I'm certain that Winston navigated her book's emotional geography supremely well (as she did so well with mourning and loss in 'Good Grief') - I don't know, since I've never wrestled with the issues that her characters do. Although the characters in 'HSS' are likable - almost too likable - and the prose creative, the plot of this book meanders so much that I found myself distracted by the many secondary characters, and wondering where the story was going. I'd hoped that Winston's second effort would be as rewarding, but it simply fell short of the standard she set with 'Good Grief.' It unfolded slowly, went nowhere remarkable, but quietly offered a gentle trip through audioland. I bought this audiobook because I've read (and re-read) 'Good Grief,' Winston's first piercingly funny and adroit novel. I think this book does a great deal of injustice to the subject which would have made an interesting read. The subject of infertility was just a back drop for some cheesy story about some jerk and his whore girlfriend. The main character must have some real issues with her father to let her husband walk all over her self respect. What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?Īnnoyance, the story didn't make sense. Would you be willing to try another one of Cassandra Campbell’s performances? It is unrealistic that a driven woman would stoop to being some jerk's obligation. I disliked how the story focused so much on the affair and how cheesy it was that she kept forgiving her loser husband. How the main character rose and fell in life, love, and career would have been enough. Where the author went wrong was adding way too many other issues.

The idea of following a couple through the ups and downs of infertility was a great idea, not a common subject. The story is so predictable with too many twists and turns trying to stay away from being a cliche but the book was trying too hard. What could Lolly Winston have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you? The reader did not differentiate enough between the voices. What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Good Grief by Lolly Winston