My Ex-Life

i liked the story and setting of this book but it needed a tougher editor. even though it switches perspectives, each character kept making the same brand of winking, cynical, occasionally-smug asides to the reader - that plus their tendency to speak in (beautifully-written) expository paragraphs made every character seem like the author in a different outfit.

I want to start by acknowledging that I received an advanced readers' edition of this book from the publisher.

My Ex-Life tells the tale of Julie, her daughter Mandy, and her first husband David, whose coming out ended their marriage. As Julie's world begins to fall apart following her separation from her second husband, Mandy reaches out to David in the hopes that he can set things right. What follows is the story of a summer filled with ups and downs for all three as they navigate modern issues, including Airbnb, dating, and burgeoning sexuality.

This book is definitely an interesting read. McCauley approaches the age in which we live with with humor and a sharp wit. Having never read his works, I appreciated that way in which he crafted his characters and their approaches to life. Of course, I struggled with how I felt about this book overall. It is well crafted, but it is a slow read. I stepped away from the book quite a few times since I started reading it nearly a month ago, because I struggled to connect with it. I also struggled to describe it whenever anyone asked what it was about, because it just seems a little too much like a regular, somewhat boring life.

If you're a fan of McCauley or are interested in perspectives on modern life, I encourage you to read this. Just because I didn't fully love it, doesn't mean that you won't.

McCauley's irreverent sense of humor about life, love, and living make me laugh out loud!