Customer Reviews

Love or Something Like It: A Novel

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Deirdre Shaw's novel captures the precarious line of possibility and peril that exists in a young writer's Hollywood life and marriage. Lacey Brennan is our protagonist- educated, lost, and emotionally wounded by her own dysfunctional family. She finds refuge in Toby, a comedy writer with an overbearing mother. Their brief marriage is chronicled, as is the aftermath. The novel's strength is its honesty. Lacey's struggle to reconcile her own life's losses make it difficult for her to move on from her marriage. In a society that downplays the effects of divorce- even ones after young marriages- this novel is refreshingly real.

There are some parts of the novel that lag, but the early and latter chapters more than make up for it. There are some plot devices that seem somewhat forced, but all is forgiven in the end when Lacey is not given a standard "happy" ending. I admire this, as the reader is left to determine the measure of Lacey's happiness.

This is more than a beach read, a step up from the usual "chick lit" blather and glamour. If you like your novels with a little edge, pick up this one and you won't be disappointed.

This book was much more serious than I expected - not the typical frothy California fare at all. Lacey Brennan is a transplant from New York to L.A. She follows her comedy writer husband across country. Unfortunately, their marriage dissolves, and Lacey must figure out how to make a new life for herself.

Lacey is an introspective character, a bit detached, even though she does have deep wells of emotion. She learned to be self-reliant because her mother left her at a young age (in the care of her somewhat chaotic father). This detachment results in some distance between Lacey and the other characters, and at some points the narrative doesn't feel real because of that distance.

However, things came together by the end. I thought the book ended exactly the way it should.

From the first page I was swept along in Lacey's journey as a young newlywed navigating through the undercurrents of life in L.A. Much like the city itself, Lacey's life seems unblemished and enviable; a handsome new husband, a shiny new job and access to the inner circle of the entertainment industry. But as the reader delves more deeply into Lacey's story and sees the facade begin to crumble, we are given a deeply compelling and engrossing story that touches on subjects known to all of us..love, family and loss. Lacey's struggle to recover from mistakes, both hers and others, is both poignant and inspiring. I've recommended this book to several friends who unanimously reported that they stayed up until all hours of the night because they couldn't put it down!

i loved this book and sobbed repeatedly throughout. an insightful look at the surprisingly confusing and challenging life of a smart ambitious woman in her 30s. it evoked in me enormous memories of and insight into my own failed marriage and shockingly painful amicable divorce. i will not forget this book for a long while...

Love or Something Like It spans years 29 through 34 in the life of protagonist Lacey Brennan as she finds love, loses it, and then must learn to mend the broken pieces of her life and move on. A New Yorker, Lacey moves to Los Angeles to be with her boyfriend Toby after 9/11. In the process, she struggles with the perks and pitfalls of L.A. living, while battling the dissolution of a quickly imploding marriage. When it all falls down on her head, Lacey is left pondering the social standards of success and marriage while struggling to overcome her dysfunctional childhood.

Shaw's first novel is a quintessential coming of age story, and she writes poignantly about so many of the issues that accost modern women: the stress of finding "the one" to live happily ever after with, & the possible repercussions if "the one" suddenly decides he no longer loves you back. Her work is especially relatable to those living in the shadow of Hollywood, as Lacey's character becomes enamored with music celebrities Jack & Charlotte, attends networking soirees, & deals with her boss, the TV showrunner RJ. My favorite chapter, hands down was Out of Body - an insightful and heart-rending portrayal of one of the hardest moments in many women's lives.

Love or Something Like It had me from the first chapter. The main character, Lacy, is real and complicated, and the book follows her through a short-lived marriage and beyond. Set in LA, the book offers a peek behind the scenes of Hollywood, but does so with intelligence and purpose.

Shaw's voice is sharp, honest, and at moments, breathtakingly brilliant. The book is easy to read in that you won't want to put it down, but you'll walk away thinking about the story and wanting to pick up the phone to talk to Lacy. A fresh read -- and way beyond the chic lit that the cover suggests.

Deidre's novel is hilarious and inspirational. Having personally struggled with a relationship or two, I found the young divorcee's, Lacey, story uplifting and full of wisdom. Besides reading page after page, I had several bursts of spontaneous loud laughter! I will however, not spoil the end for you, but do know that this book is about making your dreams come true; even if you do not really know how to do it. It's about going for the truth in your heart and becoming bigger than your fears. Make sure you read the last page twice, it's really one of my favorites... it reminded me of two of my favorite authors Ariel and Shya Kane and their book on relationships. How to Create a Magical Relationship: The 3 Simple Ideas that Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life

These authors offer the reader magical possibilities, where being in the present becomes the catalyst to a life of satisfaction and ultimately success, regardless of the circumstances, not only in relationship but in all aspects of your life. I recommend them both as great reads and building blocks for great, 'full of magic' relationships.

I like all types of books, drama, chick lit, thriller, occasional sci-fi. This book seemed like my type being I like movie star, L.A. stuff sometimes. Unfortunately, it didn't really work for me. While it was readable, I didn't enjoy it very much. It took me a lot longer to read then usual. I found it to be depressing and like a very long whine. I think near the end the main character got more positive, but on the whole she wasn't very likable. And her husband? God, I don't know anyone who would see him and think "I want to try and make it work!". What a pain in the neck! That part of the story was just painful, because I wanted to slap her upside the head and tell her to get on with it. So all in all, not my cup of tea.

I love this book. Lacey is so real. Every sentence and page are perfect. Great insights into LA, Hollywood, and relationships. What a great writer!

"Happily ever after" is not an expression that describes anything about Lacey Brennan's life. Her family and their often bizarre choices are still affecting her as an adult and have influenced the choices she's made in terms of her career and her love life. Lacey doesn't like her job, and, in fact, feels the people she works with hate her. Her boyfriend (and then husband) Toby doesn't seem to be very mature. A series of life altering events force Lacey to try and discover what her life should be all about, not withstanding all of the baggage we all carry. The main message of "Love or Something Like It" is that sometimes life doesn't turn out the way you planned, but you still need to keep trying. I enjoyed reading it, and, while it was slow in parts, the story kept my attention. I often wished I could give Lacey a shoulder to lean on during all her troubles. Great summer read!