NEW NORMAL BY MICHELLE PARIS

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BOOK NAME: NEW NORMAL

AUTHOR NAME: MICHELLE PARIS

GENRE: CONTEMPORARY/WOMEN'S FICTION

PUBLISHER: APPRENTICE HOUSE PRESS

BOOK BUY LINK : https://www.amazon.com/New-Normal-Michelle-Paris/dp/1627204520




By the looks of it, the book may seem like a cute rom-com or a fun beach read. But it is not. It is an intense women's fiction which is emotional, compulsive and insightful. 


Emilie Russel is a middle-aged widow who is trying to cope with the sudden tragic loss of her husband. Her best friend, Viv, suggests that she start seeing other men to feel normal again in life and tries her luck in setting up Emilie with her neighbour. But only that, her neighbour Colin is gay and has also been through the loss of his partner.


After much contemplation, Emilie tries therapy with Dr. Jeffries and finds minimal success in it, while most of her comfort comes from being around Colin and their accidental friendship. Emilie tries dating a few other men until she finds the one, and in the process, she grows, heals and discovers herself a lot.


This book felt like a breath of fresh air with the likes of Emilie, Ida, Pudding and Colin. Colin and Emilie's friendship was my favourite part of the book, and also take note that if you are planning to read books for the pride month, please include this in your list. I haven't read a book so far that represents non-binary people without any stereotypes as this book. The emotional wreckage this book caused me is so real that I sometimes had to stop reading and get back to it later. But the tears were so worth it.

I loved, loved, loved how Emilie and her friends honoured her late husband by carrying his ashes to the places that he wanted to visit, and it was so heartwarming. Except for the slight repetition in the narrative sometimes, this book is an amazing read.

 

If you loved P.S. I love you and the likes of it; then you will surely love this one as well. It also happens to be a semi-biographical account of the author's life, and it's super commendable how she has dealt with it with so much courage and power. 


MY REVIEW: 4.5/5

#penbooksandscalpel


I am participating in Blogchatter’s #TBRchallenge

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