Book Review: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

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“Nothing is forever, except change.”
― Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers

Purchase on Amazon $14.99 Kindle | $20 Hardcover

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Published: November 6, 2018

Pages: 464

My Copy Came From: Amazon

Read Via: Hard copy

My Like Level: 3 out of 5 (Bummer)

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Dark Humor, Domestic

Book Synopsis:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“If three characters were good in Big Little Lies, nine are even better in Nine Perfect Strangers.” ―Lisa Scottoline, The New York Times Book Review

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies

Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever? In Liane Moriarty’s latest page-turner, nine perfect strangers are about to find out…

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?

It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

Combining all of the hallmarks that have made her writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft.

My Thoughts:

My first initial thought on this one is “Man, I wish I liked it better.” I had initially given it 4 stars because I really enjoyed parts of the story immensely. I liked where the story ended up, I was like OK, I really liked this book! But as time passed, and my book club had our discussion, my rating slowly started to decline. There just wasn’t enough in the book to make me really hold onto the 4 star ranking. The story didn’t stay with me, and I don’t find myself thinking about it now that it is finished. While parts made me laugh out loud (a certain drug filled scene LOL), and other parts touched my heart (everything involving Napoleon, Heather & Zoe), there was just not enough umph in this one for me. I thought all of the characters were extremely well rounded and likeable, it just wasn’t the powerful, page-turning story I’m used to reading by Liane who is one of my favorite authors. Frances, one of the main characters was amazing! She was relatable, hilarious, and a writer! And Masha, she is CRAZY and I CANNOT wait to see Nicole Kidman play her on the big screen!

As I am writing this not quite positive review, it is making think about Frances and the book reviewer who really rips into her on the internet. Liane, if you read this review, please don’t hate me! I love you, I really do. I could never even come close to writing the amazing novels you write, nor would I ever even try. But as a teeny little book reviewer, I’m just saying I didn’t love this book. But I did like it! Sorry 😦