Book Review: Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook (and GIVEAWAY!)

(Be sure and read at the bottom of this post to see how you can enter to win a copy of Seven Year Switch!)




Jill Murray has a fairly comfortable life - one that she has carved out for herself and her young daughter since her husband left them seven years ago. She enjoys her jobs as a travel agent and as a cooking teacher at the local community center.

Then, out of the blue, her husband shows up, wanting to be a part of their lives once again. And to complicate matters, Jill thinks she may be falling for one of her clients, easy-going, fun-loving Billy. 10-year-old Anastasia does not remember her father, and is thrilled about the idea of him coming home and having a real family for a change. But is Jill ready for her husband to come back? And what about Billy? Jill must make some serious choices, and soon.

Claire Cook, who is the author of Must Love Dogs (which has been made into a movie), has written a fairly good book with Seven Year Switch. There is great characterization (I especially like the part of the next door neighbor, Cynthia, who appears to be a stereotypical blonde dummy but actually turns out to be quite intelligent), and the feelings involved in such a situation were well portrayed and realistic.

Although there is a "happy ending", I ended the book somewhat dissatisfied with the choices Jill made and the attitudes she took on towards those whom she believed were keeping her from being truly happy. It is sad that so many book characters are so selfish and disregard the feelings of others and how their actions will affect their friends and family members. I think Jill is egocentric and unthankful. I suppose I am expecting too much, but I hoped that the ending would have been more beneficial to all.

Am I taking this book reading/reviewing a little too seriously? Maybe I need to lighten up and just enjoy the read. But I can't seem to shake the idea that what I am taking in is affecting me one way or another, and I don't want to believe that this is they way it should be when life can actually be so much better than the way that is portrayed in so many of today's novels.

Well, bottom line, Seven Year Switch is a fun book, a light summer read, and one to learn from. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from Pump Up Your Book! for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Now, for the GIVEAWAY! Would you like to win a copy of this new novel? All you have to do is add your name and email to the comment section. I will choose a winner on August 1 (at 11:59 PM EST), so don't wait to enter! (United States residents only, please)

Be sure and also go to Claire Cook's website to see how you can have a chance to win more of her books: http://www.clairecook.com/author/GIVEAWAY.html.