Releasing Gillian’s Wolves by Tara Woolpy: Gillian has been married to Congressman Jack Sach for three decades, during which time he has never been faithful to her. One day he goes too far and Gillian decides she isn’t going to take it anymore. I am of two minds here. On the one hand, this is a well-written book with believable characters, great scenery, and a plausible story. On the other, the romantic relationships are all a bit on the gooey side, and it’s always a little dispiriting to read about someone who succeeds only because they’re discovered and helped by someone who is already successful. (Maybe that’s the way it works most of the time, but occasionally it’d be nice to read about success through hard work and determination rather than the right person coming along and taking them under their wing.) Not that this latter bit is a huge part of the story. Quite the contrary, actually: it’s more about Gillian taking her first tentative steps in life as Gillian rather than just the wife of Jack Sach. And it’s about food. There are a few folksy recipes sprinkled throughout which are worth reading even if you don’t cook, and everything Gillian prepares sounds delicious. In the end, it’s just a sweet story about a pleasant, middle-aged woman. Nothing too memorable, but a good beach read.
Also posted on BookCrossing.