3 out of 4 stars
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JK Purdy’s Pearadigm Shift (yes, Pearadigm…it’s not a typo) focuses on a woman who is at a crossroads in her life. It can be categorized in the General Fiction genre. After Jenna’s “perfect” marriage implodes, she decides to drive from Denver to California to re-group and visit an acquaintance. Along the way, she gets stranded in Backwater, a small town in Idaho. As her spirit slowly rejuvenates, Jenna learns of a possible corruption scandal involving the local government.
The book gets off to an uninspiring start with an all-too-typical theme in the chick lit genre – a happy marriage that is ripped apart by infidelity. The main character finds her husband Ethan in bed with her best friend Lyndsey, although the red flags pop up shortly before the discovery.
Pretty much every plotline in the early sections of the story feels rushed. When they arrive home from a vacation, Ethan surprises Jenna with a townhouse he bought for them; she responds by immediately fleeing to her best friend’s apartment to stay overnight. After discovering her husband’s unfaithfulness, she quickly packs her bags and begins driving to California, without any thought of an impending project deadline or even calling her boss. The California destination is also an impulsive decision - Jenna has always wanted to visit the state and knows an acquaintance there. My eyes were rolling as I read this passage, particularly considering she was bringing her dog along.
Fortunately, I enjoyed the story once the setting changes to Backwater. The vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was transported to this tiny town of friendly people and community gatherings. The locals are well drawn with interesting backstories. I particularly liked Marci, the coffee shop owner/history buff who gives the coffee drinks unique names based on historical events. In contrast, the Denver characters feel one-dimensional. Ethan and Lyndsey’s affair seems like it came out of nowhere. It is an awkward plot device designed to get our plucky Jenna on the road, as opposed to a romance or even lust that had been simmering for a while.
Although the book is generally well written, there are at least five noticeable errors, including missing words – for example, “he also Jenna to work with him” and “it will a few days.” An extra round of editing was needed here.
I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. Despite the aforementioned issues, I became absorbed in the story after the beginning chapters. Most of the characters are interesting and relatable, and I absolutely loved the setting. I would recommend this story to readers who enjoy chick-lit and light beach-style reads. The good news is that the author plans to write another book set in Backwater.
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Pearadigm Shift
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