Book Review and Giveaway: The Sweet Spot

By Melissa Amster

In the heart of Greenwich Village, three women form an accidental sorority when a baby—belonging to exactly none of them—lands on their collective doorstep.

Lauren and her family—lucky bastards—have been granted the use of a spectacular brownstone, teeming with history and dizzyingly unattractive 70s wallpaper. Adding to the home’s bohemian, grungy splendor is the bar occupying the basement, a (mostly) beloved dive called The Sweet Spot. Within days of moving in, Lauren discovers that she has already made an enemy in the neighborhood by inadvertently sparking the divorce of a couple she has never actually met.

Melinda’s husband of thirty years has dumped her for a young celebrity entrepreneur named Felicity, and, to Melinda’s horror, the lovebirds are soon to become parents. In her incandescent rage, Melinda wreaks havoc wherever she can, including in Felicity’s Soho boutique, where she has a fit of epic proportions, which happens to be caught on film.​

Olivia—the industrious twenty-something behind the counter, who has big dreams and bigger debt—gets caught in the crossfire. In an effort to diffuse Melinda’s temper, Olivia has a tantrum of her own and gets unceremoniously canned, thanks to TikTok.

When Melinda’s ex follows his lover across the country, leaving their squalling baby behind, the three women rise to the occasion in order to forgive, to forget, to Ferberize, and to track down the wayward parents. But can their little village find a way toward the happily ever afters they all desire? Welcome to The Sweet Spot. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

If you were following us in 2018, you might remember just how much I loved Limelight (reviewed here). Well, Amy Poeppel's recent release, The Sweet Spot, is on par with Limelight's greatness. I had such a fun time reading it and felt like I was breezing through the story as it was so entertaining. I enjoyed all the different perspectives throughout, especially those of the three main characters: Lauren, Olivia, and Melinda. 

Lauren was the most relatable for me, as we're probably close in age, have two sons and a daughter, and our houses are always in some stage of chaos. (Although I don't have any pets.) I felt like Amy was listening in on conversations I've had with my mother, as the dialogue was that spot-on between Lauren and Evelyn. Melinda grated on me at first, even though I felt bad for her. Taking her situation out on Lauren bothered me though. I did find her revenge tactics amusing and somewhat creative and I wish I could sic her on a certain friend's ex-husband. I liked Olivia a lot and felt like she was easy to connect with, even with the twenty years age difference between us. I hated what happened to her as part of Melinda's revenge plot and I love how she found her place with Lauren's family. 

I didn't know that I'd want to read Russell's perspective, but it did clear some things up in the story and I enjoyed seeing how things were going for him given what he did to Melinda. I also didn't think I would like Evelyn all that much but she changed throughout the story and became so wonderful. I love how New York City is the backdrop, and how Amy really captures the feel of the city without having to overly describe it. 

My only concern is that I felt the baby situation was introduced so late into the story. It was around the halfway point. I wish there had been more time to work with that situation and really explore it more. I also would have liked another chapter with Felicity's perspective aside from the prologue and epilogue. Having said that, none of these concerns took away from my overall enjoyment.

I've been recommending The Sweet Spot even while just in the early chapters, it's that well-written and engaging. Do yourself a favor and pick up this feel-good read!

Movie casting suggestions:

Lauren: Sarah Wayne Callies
Melinda: Lauren Graham
Olivia: Grace Caroline Currey
Russell: Pierce Brosnan
Felicity: Felicity Jones
Dan: Mark Ruffalo
Leo: Rob Delaney
Phillip: Richard Chamberlain
Evelyn: Susan Sullivan

Thanks to Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away!

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Giveaway ends March 7th at midnight EST.

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