I got an ARC copy of this book through @DevourerOfBooks’ book blog. It comes out in bookstores on August 17, and if you’re into creative renderings of classic problems, I recommend it.

In short: It’s a meandering, interwoven story about the lives of a half-dozen loosely connected women across generations and their struggles with life, love and men. It’s an easy read with refined soap opera emotions that I would say is ideal for a weekend at the cabin or several airline trips.

The book is set in a town called Haven in Michigan. The most interesting part, for me, is the narrative structure. Riggle switches up the narrator every few pages, titling each chapter with just the new speakers’ name. We have:

Anna, the 30-something lawyer back from Chicago to Haven (her hometown) after her mentor is killed in a freak accident. She’s staying with her mother, who owns the family convenience store and has for 30 years, after Anna’s father left them.

Cami, the 30-something obsessive gambler who is back in Haven (also her hometown) after stealing from her boyfriend and getting kicked out. She’s living with her alcoholic father.

Amy, the 36 year old newly thin girl who is marrying one of the most successful guys in town, and believes she owes it all to losing the weight that had plagued her since childhood.

Maeve, the 50-something owner of the Nee Nance Store (try saying “convenience” in a 2 year old’s vocabulary) who still pines for her 20 years gone husband and is losing her store to a new development project.

There are others, but these four women cross paths in a variety of exasperating and meaningful ways. The storyline holds together well, and I believe all of the reactions that the characters have in regard to each other- so points to Riggle for that. The women in the book come off as struggling but righteous and ultimately redeemed, while all of the men come off as hopeless losers, so be ready for that.

I took it all as a tale well told that gave me some escape, and if you’re looking for a book to do that, this is a great read. If you’re looking for a new perspective on the trials of life or some hidden meaning that will help you “live the life you’ve imagined,” it’s not there. I did appreciate that Riggle installed some subtle irony, like that the title is a mis-quote of Thoreau, and that the town called Haven is anything but for the characters.

And I like that while they all deal with issues in their lives, there are no happy endings. But the ending of the book did end up feeling a little fast to me- like there could have been another few chapters getting a retrospective idea of how each woman thought about how everything ended, especially after getting all of their perspectives on everything for so long.

Like I said, I would say it’s ideal for a light summer read if you are traveling or taking a weekend away.