I think it’s so foolish for people to want to be happy. Happy is so momentary – you’re happy for an instant and then you start thinking again. Interest is the most important thing in life; happiness is temporary, but interest is continuous.
Page 233
In a nutshell
Jason and Nicole have been married for 23 years – with two kids and a picket white fence to show for it. As Jason’s long awaited sabbatical approaches, the couple discover that a dream year away from life looks very different to each of them. For Jason it’s a motorcycle trip through South America. For Nicole it’s a chance to learn a craft in the Southwest. After a conversation at a dinner party, they discover the 5000 mile rule – a rule that will allow them to explore their own interests how and with whomever they wish. Suddenly, Jason’s sabbatical isn’t just a sabbatical from work, it’s a sabbatical from marriage.
Book Club Notes
The best way to describe this book is a reverse romcom. Instead of the couple finding each other, they start together and have to find their way back to each other. I enjoyed how it flitted between past and present which added context and layers to the character’s lives. It’s an enjoyable easy read – the type of book that would make a beach read list and one you can devour in a weekend. Perfect for those days you want to switch off.
Read If
You enjoy romcoms and books that allow you to shut off your mind.
Rating
Writing – 7/10
Character Development – 6/10
Plot Twist -5/10
Shareability – 6/10
The Nitty Gritty
Similar Reads
A note on our book ratings
Storyline: How good is the storyline? Is it believable and complex or does it make you shake your head in its ridiculousness?
Writing: How well written is the book? Do you find yourself wowed by the writing or unimpressed?
Character Development: Do the characters evolve and grow through the book and are they multi-dimensional?
Plot Twist: Were you able to predict the end, or did the author give you some surprises along the way to keep you on your toes?
Shareability: How likely are you to share the book?
