Review~ Second Acts

Second Acts
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Published: September 26, 2017
The interwoven tales of three women unfold in the voices of Sarah, Miriam, and Beth, whose unshakable friendship takes root in a Buffalo college dorm in the late 1960s. Fueled by the optimism and bravado of that era, they charge into adulthood with high expectations and lofty ideas. They were, as Beth would later observe, “the first generation of women to feel entitled to interesting lives.” At times, they find themselves living long distances from…

I got through this one fairly quickly, probably because I felt a connection to the women in the story as they are all the same age as I am. I felt a bigger connection to Sarah and Miriam, though, than I did with Beth.

Each of the women experiences loss, change and growth throughout the story, which takes place in three parts. Within each part, the POV alternates between the three women, each telling their own story for that period of time, though they all blend and meld together.

Like me, Sarah has been through several jobs and never feels financially secure. I feel like this is the heart of her storyline, though there is of course more to it- relationship issues, forgotten dreams, etc.

Miriam on the other hand, is forever single. There have been failed relationships in her past, but figures she is just meant to be alone. I readily identify with this as well. Miriam also has family issues and a career she enjoys rounding out her life.

Beth, on the other hand, has neither of these issues. She has a stable marriage, plenty of financial security, a successful career of her own. But she also has problem to deal with that hover below the surface, showing no life is ever perfect.

I enjoyed getting to know the three women and watch them move through this phase of their lives. It reminded me that there is still time to chase some dreams of my own.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.