If We Lived Here by Lindsey Palmer

If We Lived Here by Lindsey J. Palmer

• Print Length: 305 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0758294352
• Publisher: Kensington (March 31, 2015)

What They Say....Razor-sharp and thought-provoking, Lindsey J. Palmer’s incisive new novel both celebrates and skewers modern relationships and their milestones, offering a witty and wise look at what it takes to commit—to love, to a home, and to the life that’s right for you. 

After three years of dating and trading nights at their respective New York City apartments, Emma Feit and Nick O’Hare are moving in together. Or they will be, as soon as they find the right place. For two happily-in-love professionals—Nick’s a teacher, Emma tutors college-bound teens—with good credit and stellar references, how hard can it be? As it turns out, very—in ways that are completely unexpected. 

Suddenly Emma is filled with questions about cohabiting, about giving up her freedom—not to mention about who’s going to clean the toilet. And while her best friend plans a dream wedding to her wealthy fiancé, and her older brother settles into suburban bliss, Emma must figure out what home means to her—and how on earth to get there.

What I Say....This book started out looking like it was going to be some good chick lit, but about halfway through, it took a strange turn.  

I really felt like Emma and Nick didn't belong together.  They were such opposites, from their thoughts of moving in together, to the way they wanted to handle a dishonest landlord, and up to infidelity.  There was never a moment where it seemed like they would be able to get past their differences.  

The first half of the book seemed like it was building towards a breakup, and the incoming hurricane seemed like it was setting the stage for this to happen.  Emma discovers some text messages on her boyfriend's phone referring to an illicit kiss.  This happened immediately after she found an email that her best friend, Annie, had sent to her mother declaring her excitement about being pregnant with her first child (I totally didn't understand why this was a big deal).  Strangely, Emma actually held a grudge about the happy email longer than she did about her boyfriend kissing her friend, although she never even asked Annie about the email.

After Emma's outbursts towards Nick and her brother, are we really supposed to think that she wouldn't confront her friend?  She would just decide to go out to dinner with her merrily as if nothing had ever happened? It seemed like an easy way to wrap up the book, but it felt hollow.

Don't get me wrong, this was a really good book, I think it just took me off guard because I was expecting chick lit, and this was a little more reality than I was ready for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC for review.

Current Goodreads Rating 3.79