Like a House on Fire

By: Lauren McBrayer

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

A JULY 2022 BELLETRIST BOOK CLUB PICK

What would you do if you found the spark that made you feel whole again?

After twelve years of marriage and two kids, Merit has begun to feel like a stranger in her own life. She loves her husband and sons, but she desperately needs something more than sippy cups and monthly sex. So, she returns to her career at Jager + Brandt, where a brilliant and beautiful Danish architect named Jane decides to overlook the “break” in Merit’s résumé and give her a shot.

Jane is a supernova—witty and dazzling and unapologetically herself—and as the two work closely together, their relationship becomes a true friendship. In Jane, Merit sees the possibility of what a woman could be. And Jane sees Merit exactly for who she is. Not the wife and mother dutifully performing the roles expected of her, but a whole person.

Their relationship quickly becomes a cornerstone in Merit’s life. And as Merit starts to open her mind to the idea of more—more of a partner, more of a match, more out of love—she begins to question: What if the love of her life isn’t the man she married. What if it’s Jane?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All the stars. I have no words for how this book moved me to tears and touched me to my core. It’s gut-wrenching and beautiful at the same time. It expresses the roller coaster of agony and guilt and trauma of coming to find yourself in mid-life while allowing space for the beauty and joy found in finally coming into the person you were always meant to be. Finding love you never knew existed outside of movies but grappling with the heartbreaking loss of the only life you’ve ever known. A life that never quite fit but you didn’t know why until she walked into your life and then it all made sense. Their story moved me. The ending brought me to tears in the best way. I loved the audio so much I ordered a hard copy foo.

Been there

I really loved this book. It handled the coupling of the two women with grace, tenderness, and dignity. I believe it is the story of many women who have chosen an alternative lifestyle.

Slow but good

This story will not keep you on the edge of your seat but it’s a nice slow and romantic ride. I enjoyed it!

Loved

The epitome of a true love story. I very much enjoyed and would definitely recommend! I finished in one day!

What I’m always looking for but never find, in a story of attraction and love between two women

I am constantly looking for a contemporary love/attraction story between two women, mature, older, with complicated histories. Instead, most often I only find an abundance of young women’s stories, or lovely stories of young love, between teens or early adults. This was a rare gem, very well written, with an excellent reader. The children’s voices were a bit annoying, and the husband a dud, but the two women were very well acted and written. The ending was perfect. New ways of living, and loving. I listened three times, sad that once again, my search continues, and I’m doubtful I will find anything this good for a long time. I hope I am proven wrong!
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