Review by vaneliza -- A Better Next by Maren Cooper

[vaneliza]

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Better Next" by Maren Cooper.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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In A Better Next by Maren Cooper the main character Jessica is in a cumbersome spot in her twenty-five year plus marriage to Arthur. As the story unfolds, we see how Jessica is struggling to save her marriage, that is if it is salvageable. Forty-five-year-old Jessica is trying to find balance between work, her two college- age kids, and being a wife. At some point in the marriage it has all become routine and Arthur distant. Jessica knows they have overcome rough patches before and hopes this time will be no different. However, this time Arthur seems particularly on edge since Jessica is a lawyer representing Mid-West Health that is merging with the University Hospital that Arthur (a scientist and doctor) works at. Arthur is not happy about this merger and the fact that his wife is working for the company that is making it happen is causing a strain in their marriage.

I would give this book a 2 out of 4 rating. I enjoyed the vocabulary and descriptive writing in the book. I also found the topic interesting, relevant, and entertaining. It captured my attention from the first page. I thought it would be something that I can relate to being a married woman myself However, as I continued to read the novel, I felt the plot moved very slowly and the conflict between Arthur and Jessica’s professional life was extended without much new development. There seems to be some holes in the story that affect the flow of it, although that could be because I received the sample and not the whole book. At the end of the story I felt I still did not know the characters well and their motivations and desires.

The book contained no vulgar words or erotic scenes. Although, it did allude to sexual intercourse a couple of times in the book.

I found no grammatical errors in the book and found it edited exceptionally flawless.

I think that married women would enjoy this book and relate to Jessica. Especially those trying to juggle a career and the needs of everyone in the family. This is the case for many modern women that want to advance in their career but, also keep a strong family base. I also, think married men would like this book because it gives insight to how women sometimes feel in a marriage and the struggles they go through.

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A Better Next
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