Monday, May 12, 2014

Book Review: Catching Air

Catching AirAuthor: Sarah Pekkanen
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Washington Square Press


From the internationally bestselling author of four books, including The Opposite of Me, a vibrant, compulsively readable novel about two married couples who pursue a dream to open a bed-and-breakfast in small-town Vermont.

In her previous works including The Best of Us, "rising star" (Library Journal) Sarah Pekkanen captivated readers by penning "refreshingly introspective, sharply realistic, and tenderly humorous" novels (Booklist) that had readers "flying through the pages" (Hoda Kotb, Today show). Now, in Catching Air, Pekkanen turns an unflinching eye on the tangled relationships of two pairs of thirty-somethings.

A chance to run a B&B in snowy, remote Vermont—it’s an offer Kira Danner can’t resist after six soul-crushing years of working as a lawyer in Florida. As Kira and her husband, Peter, step into a brand new life, she quells her fears about living with the B&B’s co-owners: Peter’s sexy, irresponsible brother Rand, and Rand’s wife, Alyssa…who is essentially a stranger.

For her part, Alyssa sees taking over the B&B as the latest in a string of adventures. Plus, a quiet place might help her recover from the news that she can’t bear children. But the idyllic town proves to be anything but serene: Within weeks, the sisters-in-law are scrambling to prepare for their first big booking—a winter wedding—and soon a shy, mysterious woman comes to work for them. Dawn Zukoski is hiding something; that much is clear. But what the sisters-in-law don't realize is that Dawn is also hiding from someone…

Relatable and dynamic, Catching Air delves deeply into the vital relationships that give shape to women’s lives.


She sighed and stared up at the full, bright moon overhead.

Boston, she decided as she settled onto the bench. She’d never been to the city, and knew no one who lived there. It would be a good start.


She couldn’t tell him that his hair loss didn't matter, that he was still as attractive as ever. But maybe she could show him.

This story brings together three very different women who, for three very different reasons, find themselves working at the same Bed & Breakfast in the beautiful state of Vermont. Alyssa and her husband are the first to inhabit the B&B because are actually the ones to purchase it. Then we have Kira and her husband, Peter, who accept an offer from Alyssa to help the B&B business grow. And lastly, there is Dawn who is coming from an abusive relationship, but has many other secrets that aren’t necessarily all shared up front. These three women bond over different things, but they quickly realize that they have much in common.

One thing that I think I love most about this author is her ability to relate to the women she writes about and for. Her female characters are always my favorite part of her books. I usually pick one or two out that I feel I can relate to the most. She writes so many different characters that readers will certainly be able to relate to at least one of them. Sarah really has a knack for making her characters seem believable. After most of her books, I find myself wishing at least one of them were my best friend!

This was a very unique setting for me. I am sure that at some point I have read a book set in or around a Bed & Breakfast, but it has been quite some time. I loved the fast-paced life of running your own business and it was obvious that it was a huge part of the character’s lives. The B&B had such a cozy feel for me, and I can always enjoy a book so much better if I feel comfortable and cozy with the setting. Sarah made their busy lives seem very realistic, but she still managed to create a charming setting that all readers will love.


***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Washington Square Press in exchange for my honest review***






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