Books & Java

The Good Neighbor 

by Amy Sue Nathan

Synopsis:

Things are a little rough for Izzy Lane. Still reeling from the break-up of her marriage, the newly single mom moves back to the Philadelphia home she grew up in, five-year-old Noah in tow. The transition is difficult, but with the help of her best friends—and her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Feldman—Izzy feels like she’s stepping closer to her new normal. Until her ex-husband shows up with his girlfriend. That’s when Izzy invents a boyfriend of her own. And that’s when life gets complicated.

Blogging about her “new guy” provides Izzy with something to do when Noah’s asleep. What’s the harm in a few made-up stories? Then, her blog soars in popularity and she’s given the opportunity to moonlight as an online dating expert. How can she turn it down? But when her friends want to meet the mysterious “Mac,” someone online suspects Izzy’s a fraud, and a guy in-real-life catches her eye, Izzy realizes just how high the stakes are. That’s when Mrs. Feldman steps in, determined to show her neighbor the havoc that lies can wreak. If Izzy’s honest, she could lose everything, and everyone. Is the truth worth any cost?

My Review:

What an unexpectedly delightful read. Unexpectedly only because I wasn't familiar with Amy Sue Nathan's work before reading The Good Neighbor. I am now a fan. I mainly read historical fiction, but every once in a while I come across a book (or a rather a book cover) that intrigues me. This was one of those books. I mean, it truly is one of the best covers I've seen in a long time. Simple and beautiful. But, this is not the reason I recommend this book. The story line really was good. REALLY GOOD! I could relate to this story in so many ways. I too went through a divorce and had to take over 100% of the care of my children while their father was coping with his new single-life. I was very moved by how this situation was presented. The callousness with which the ex-husband thinks that his ex-wife should be considerate of his need to "find himself" while on a trip to California with a new girlfriend that is going to take care of him financially. He wants to be absolved of any responsibility to caring for their son - until he gets himself together. What can she do but move on and take over the responsibilities to parenting that his absence creates. ASN conveyed the feelings of frustration and anger Izzy experiences. Nobody can really take a break from parenting. That's just ridiculous. It's like breathing - you just have to do it. On top of becoming only parent to their son, Izzy is trying to adjust to being single. She starts a blog in which she blogs about her love life with a made-up boyfriend who is almost too good to be true. Not to mention that his name is Mac (hmmm.. a lot like her laptop). Her blog is picked up by her best friend's struggling website and it becomes and immediate hit. However, although she tries to let her friends know that her perfect Mac is a figment of her imagination, they just hear what they want to hear and so escalates her conundrum. There is a secondary story about Izzy's 80 year old neighbor - Mrs. Feldman - whom she has known since childhood and trusts and loves as much as her own mother. Mrs. Feldman knows about Izzy's secret and with secrets of her own she understands and tries to provide Izzy with the guidance she desperately needs. The relationship between Izzy and Mrs. Feldman is simply beautiful and even fun. I really loved this book. I appreciated the emphasis on how difficult it is to be a mom, to turn 40, to appear as though you've got it all together although you may not.... It is a real story that I greatly appreciated and loved.